MI DNR expands pheasant release program for 2023 upland bird hunting season

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources’ highly anticipated pheasant release program is expanding for the upcoming pheasant hunting season. This year, the program will include:

• Three times more rooster pheasants released than last year.
• Four new release sites in Cass City, Crane Pond, Dansville and Stanton state game areas.
• Additional releases in December on state game areas with an open pheasant hunting season.

This strategic expansion ensures a greater distribution of released pheasants and gives hunters even more options to explore Michigan's diverse landscapes.

“For seasoned hunters and newcomers alike, this is a prime opportunity for everyone to experience the thrill of pheasant hunting. We’re excited to expand the pheasant release program and offer hunters a unique chance to connect or reconnect with upland bird hunting in Michigan,” said Adam Bump, DNR upland game bird specialist. “The increased number of rooster pheasants and the addition of new release locations ensure that hunters can enjoy a memorable hunting season.”

The rooster-only pheasant releases will occur Oct. 20 to Nov. 14, coinciding with the pheasant hunting season. All release sites that have an open December pheasant hunting season will have an additional pheasant release in December.

This year, pheasants will be released on 13 state game/wildlife areas throughout southern Michigan:

1. Cass City (Tuscola County) – fall and December release.
2. Cornish (Van Buren County) – fall release only.
3. Crane Pond (Cass County) – fall release only.
4. Crow Island (Bay and Saginaw counties) – fall and December release.
5. Dansville (Ingham County) – fall and December release.
6. Erie (Monroe County) – fall and December release.
7. Lapeer (Lapeer County) – fall and December release.
8. Leidy Lake (St. Joseph County) – fall and December release.
9. Pinconning (Bay County) – fall release only.
10. Pointe Mouillee (Monroe and Wayne counties) – fall and December release.
11. Rose Lake (Clinton and Shiawassee counties) – fall and December release.
12. Stanton (Montcalm County) – fall and December release.
13. St. Johns Marsh (St. Clair County) – fall and December release.

Read the full MI DNR posting

Pheasant numbers in Michigan better than what might have been expected

steve griffin

The man who oversees Michigan’s ring-necked pheasant programs said he’s had to set aside expectations for the bird that were born of the harsh winter.

“I think pheasant numbers are good,” said Al Stewart, the DNR’s upland gamebird specialist. “I think they came through the winter better than most people anticipated.”

Including Stewart.

“When I was turkey hunting (last spring) I heard pheasants crowing. And other people have said to me, “I heard pheasants, and I haven’t heard pheasants in a long time.”

“I’m trying to curb my bias. Because of the hard winter, I didn’t expect to see many birds, but people are telling me about seeing pheasants and seeing birds, and these are people who haven’t seen them in a long time.”

Read the rest of the MidlandDailyNews article

Harsh winter fails to harm Lenawee County’s pheasant population

Harsh winter fails to harm Lenawee County's pheasant population

The Daily Telegram

A three-week annual survey of crowing roosters was completed May 20, Tison said, and it appears pheasant numbers in the county have changed ...

MI DNR awards wildlife habitat grants - Pheasants Forever

The Department of Natural Resources April 14 announced recipients of the 2014 Wildlife Habitat grants. A total of $737,720 was awarded to various conservation and nonprofit organizations, units of government and landowners.

Examples of funded projects include planting native grasslands for pheasant habitat at Lake Hudson State Recreation Area, planting fruit trees for wild turkey and ruffed grouse food sources in several locations across the state and improving accessibility for limited-mobility hunters and wildlife enthusiasts at Sharonville State Game Area.

The successful list of applicants, the award amount and the county in which the habitat projects will take place are:

Pheasants Forever Inc., $44,000, Lenawee County.

Read the complete list and article