Youth pheasant season opens Oct. 8, followed by the statewide general opener Oct. 15, with stocked hunting opportunities available across all seven Idaho Fish and Game regions
Idaho pheasant hunters will have additional opportunities this fall as Idaho Fish and Game prepares to release nearly 29,000 pheasants at 24 locations across the state.
The stocking program supplements hunting opportunities on Wildlife Management Areas and other public-access properties, with stocked locations available in every Fish and Game region. Most locations will receive birds in time for Idaho’s youth pheasant season, which runs Oct. 8–14, 2026, before the general pheasant season opens statewide on Oct. 15.
Youth Pheasant Season Runs Oct. 8–14
Idaho’s youth-only pheasant season gives young hunters a one-week head start. Hunters 17 years old and younger with a valid Idaho hunting license may participate, while hunters 18 and older may not hunt pheasants during the youth season.
Youth who have not completed hunter education or previously held a hunting license may also be able to participate through Idaho’s Hunting Passport Program. Hunting Passport holders must be accompanied by an adult with a valid Idaho hunting license. Resident junior-license holders under age 12 must likewise be accompanied by a properly licensed adult.
An important benefit for young hunters is that they do not need an Upland Game Bird Permit to hunt at IDFG pheasant stocking locations. They must, however, wear at least 36 square inches of visible hunter orange above the waist while hunting these areas. A typical hunter-orange hat satisfies the requirement.
At most stocked locations, pheasant hunting begins at 10 a.m. local time and continues until one-half hour after sunset. The exception is the Clearwater Region, where hunting at stocked locations begins at 8 a.m. Pacific Time.
Idaho’s 24 Pheasant Stocking Locations
IDFG’s 2026 stocking program includes the following locations:
Panhandle Region:
- Boundary-Smith Creek WMA
- Coeur d’Alene River WMA — Lane and Strobel Marsh parcels
Clearwater Region:
- Craig Mountain WMA — Redbird Parcel
- Genesee Release Area
- Palouse Youth-Only Area
- Petersen Loop Area
Southwest Region:
- CJ Strike WMA
- Fort Boise WMA
- Montour WMA
- Payette River WMA — Birding Island Segment
- Roswell Marsh WHA — north of Highway 18
Magic Valley Region:
- BOR Tract F27
- BOR Tract F28
- Niagara Springs WMA
Southeast Region:
- Portneuf WMA
- Sterling WMA
- Zollinger Access Yes!
Upper Snake Region:
- BLM Lewisville Knolls
- Cartier Slough WMA
- Market Lake WMA
- Mud Lake WMA
Salmon Region:
- Kirtley Creek Access Yes!
- Pahsimeroi River Access Area
- Pratt Creek Area
The complete list comes from IDFG’s 2026 Pheasant Stocking Program. Each location on IDFG’s website can be opened individually to see its planned stocking schedule, number of birds, access information, driving directions and downloadable map. Stocking schedules are forecasts and may change without notice.
IDFG 2026 Pheasant Stocking Locations and Schedules:
https://idfg.idaho.gov/hunt/pheasant/stocking
Not Every Location Is Stocked at the Same Time
Hunters should not assume that every one of the 24 locations will have birds released before the youth opener. IDFG says most, rather than all, stocking locations will receive pheasants for the youth hunt.
There are also regional differences. In the Clearwater Region, for example, IDFG specifically identified Craig Mountain WMA’s Redbird Parcel and the Palouse Youth-Only area for youth-season stocking. The Palouse location requires advance registration.
In southeastern Idaho, stocking at Sterling WMA and Zollinger Access Yes! begins in time for the youth season, while Portneuf WMA will not be stocked until after the regular deer season ends Oct. 24, a measure intended to reduce hunter crowding. Zollinger also requires hunters to register for a hunting time slot.
Because individual stocking schedules vary considerably, hunters planning around stocked birds should check the specific IDFG location page shortly before their hunt.
What Changes When the General Season Opens?
Idaho’s general pheasant season opens Oct. 15, immediately after the youth season ends. There is a five-day delay for nonresident participation in the general pheasant seasons, although that delay does not apply to the youth season. Hunters should check the appropriate pheasant zone and season before hunting because closing dates vary by area.
Hunters 18 and older pursuing pheasants on IDFG stocking properties must have both a valid hunting license and an Upland Game Bird Permit. IDFG also requires at least 36 square inches of visible hunter orange above the waist at these locations.
Some properties have additional requirements, including advance reservations, daily hunter limits, designated parking or mandatory sign-in procedures. Hunters should therefore check the individual property page rather than relying only on the statewide season dates.
Plan Your Idaho Hunt With Hunterizer
Idaho’s pheasant season is a good example of why checking only a statewide opening date may not tell the whole story. Youth and general seasons, different pheasant zones, stocked areas, special shooting hours, permits and property-specific access requirements can all affect a hunt.
The Hunterizer app helps hunters quickly see what they can legally hunt at their location on a particular date, along with season dates, hunting zones, shooting hours, bag limits, legal weapons and other important regulations. Hunters can also use Hunterizer to check other open upland opportunities while in the field, including grouse, quail, chukar and other game species.
Before heading out for Idaho’s 2026 pheasant season, check your hunt in Hunterizer and use IDFG’s stocking pages to see when and where birds are scheduled to be released.
