PointsAfieldSeason2026–27
Connecticut · Ring-necked pheasant

Connecticut pheasant stocking schedule, fall 2026

DEEP list · fall 2026Updated Oct. 14, 2026

Connecticut pheasant stocking dates and sites for fall 2026, from DEEP's own list: 38 sites on DEEP's stocking rule, plus 1 stocking date.

Read the 3 caveats before you go

DEEP lists only 1 stocking date, for a youth hunt at 6 sites. All 38 sites follow its stocking rule, quoted below.

Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026: Junior Pheasant Hunter Day

Youth hunters

Birds planned per site · DEEP 2026 list

Rules and caveats

Pheasant Program

Open to
All hunters · Youth hunters
You need
All pheasant hunters must purchase a resident or nonresident small game firearms hunting license (Conservation License) and a Resident Game Bird Conservation Stamp for $28 ($14 for ages 12-17). DEEP
DEEP's stocking rule, in its own words
Pheasant stocking activities begin each year just prior to the third Saturday in October, "Opening Day," and end in early December. During that time-frame, pheasants are generally stocked 2-3 days each week on each area. No birds will be stocked during the third week of November when the Private Land Shotgun/Rifle and State Land Shotgun seasons open for deer hunters (though some areas closed to deer hunting may be stocked, depending on the number of weeks in a season for a given year).
DEEP
Other DEEP rules
Daily bag limits are 2 birds per day and the season limit is 10 birds.
DEEP
Hunting Hours: 1/2 hour before sunrise until 1/2 hour after sunset.
DEEP
DEEP reminds hunters that the Sunday hunting law only applies to private lands, and Sunday hunting on state and public lands and waterways remains closed.
DEEP
Daily permits for a select group of Permit-Required Areas will be available online.
DEEP
Permits will be available three to five days in advance, with only one permit issued per day online to any one individual.
DEEP
Junior hunters wishing to hunt at junior day areas should secure a junior day daily permit for the area they wish to hunt at.
DEEP
Junior participants (12 to 15 year-olds) must possess a current junior hunting license and a Connecticut Resident Game Bird Conservation Stamp. Youth must be accompanied by an adult at least 18 years of age. Adults must possess a valid hunting license; however, they are not allowed to carry a firearm.
DEEP
Be Safe - wear 400 square inches of fluorescent orange clothing above the waist that is visible from all sides.
DEEP
Leave the field or stay inactive while pheasant stockers are on the area.
DEEP
Hunters wishing to hunt on state-owned or state-managed lands stocked with pheasants should not have any pheasants in their possession that were harvested from a Shooting Preserve, Dog Training Area, approved exempt area, or Field Trial Area as those birds will be counted as part of the daily bag limit by Law Enforcement.
DEEP
Permit days DEEP's rule for 2 permit fields
Saturday permit required to hunt small game or pheasants here on Saturdays from Oct. 17 to Nov. 14, 2026. Permits are released on the Online Outdoor Licensing System the Monday before each Saturday. Hunters without permits may hunt after 3:00 p.m.

Eversource Skiff Mountain Cooperative WMA Permit-Required Area, Naugatuck State Forest (West Block)

Check before you go
  • Sources disagree

    DEEP gives two end times for the Saturday permit rule at Skiff Mountain and Naugatuck's West Block: 3:00 p.m. on its pheasant page and 3:30 p.m. in its season announcement. Carry a permit until 3:30 p.m. to be safe. Applies to: Eversource Skiff Mountain Cooperative WMA Permit-Required Area, Naugatuck State Forest (West Block).

    • Hunters without permits may hunt these areas after 3:00 PM. source
    • All hunters wishing to use these areas on Saturdays before 3:30 p.m. must have a Saturday permit source
  • Subject to change

    DEEP says last-minute changes may occur and asks hunters to check its pheasant page often.

    source
  • Unverified

    DEEP says pheasants are released in Bristol through a landowner agreement, but its 2026 area list names no Bristol area. Ask DEEP where that release happens.

    source

Every site, every date

38 sites in DEEP's order, by area. A permit tag marks a date or site that is permit-only; “Permit days” links to DEEP's rule.

Birds planned per site · DEEP 2026 list
SiteSat. Oct. 10Season totalMap, links & land
Hartford County
East Windsor Permit Required Hunting AreaSat. Oct. 10: no releaseSeason total: 280
Map, links & land facts
Open in maps41.93501, -72.54574East Windsor - Enfield Area209 acresaccess by permitAlso hunted here: Waterfowl, Small game mammals (gray squirrel, cottontail rabbit, European hare, snowshoe hare, woodchuck)Daily Permit Required.Release mapProperty page
Dr. John E. Flaherty Field Trial AreaSat. Oct. 10: no releaseSeason total: 805
Map, links & land facts
Open in maps41.9098, -72.59059Dr. John E. Flaherty Field Trial Area and WMA506 acreswalk-in accessAlso hunted here: Waterfowl, Small game mammals (gray squirrel, cottontail rabbit, European hare, snowshoe hare, woodchuck)On most weekends, the area is used for Field Trial events and is closed to public access.Release mapAgency pageProperty page
Simsbury WMAstockedSeason total: 760
Map, links & land facts
Open in maps41.88622, -72.78875Public land:373 acreswalk-in accessAlso hunted here: Waterfowl, Small game mammals (gray squirrel, cottontail rabbit, European hare, snowshoe hare, woodchuck), White-tailed deer, Wild turkeyRelease mapProperty page
Suffield WMASat. Oct. 10: no releaseSeason total: 805
Map, links & land facts
Open in maps42.0325, -72.74321Public land:265 acreswalk-in accessAlso hunted here: Waterfowl, Small game mammals (gray squirrel, cottontail rabbit, European hare, snowshoe hare, woodchuck), White-tailed deer, Wild turkeyA Massachusetts license is required if hunting in both states.Release mapProperty page
Litchfield County
Eversource Skiff Mountain Cooperative WMA Permit-Required AreaPermit daysstockedSeason total: 750
Map, links & land facts
Open in maps41.7998, -73.46449Eversource Skiff Mountain Cooperative WMA732 acresaccess by permitAlso hunted here: Waterfowl, Small game mammals (gray squirrel, cottontail rabbit, European hare, snowshoe hare, woodchuck), White-tailed deer, Wild turkeyDaily Permit required and Saturday Permit required.These areas will be stocked on Saturday morning and prior to each hunting group.Release mapProperty page
Goshen WMASat. Oct. 10: no releaseSeason total: 1,170
Map, links & land facts
No map link (location approximate)Public land:1,599 acreswalk-in accessAlso hunted here: Waterfowl, Small game mammals (gray squirrel, cottontail rabbit, European hare, snowshoe hare, woodchuck), White-tailed deer, Wild turkeyRelease mapProperty page
Housatonic WMASat. Oct. 10: no releaseSeason total: 615
Map, links & land facts
No map link (location approximate)Housatonic River WMA490 acreswalk-in accessAlso hunted here: Waterfowl, Small game mammals (gray squirrel, cottontail rabbit, European hare, snowshoe hare, woodchuck), White-tailed deer, Wild turkeyRelease mapRelease mapProperty page
Mad River DamSat. Oct. 10: no releaseSeason total: 310
Map, links & land facts
Open in maps41.93505, -73.10016Mad River Dam Flood Control Area463 acreswalk-in accessAlso hunted here: Waterfowl, Small game mammals (gray squirrel, cottontail rabbit, European hare, snowshoe hare, woodchuck), White-tailed deerRelease mapProperty page
MDC New Hartford (Greenwoods)Sat. Oct. 10: no releaseSeason total: 575
Map, links & land facts
Open in maps41.89761, -72.98388MDC – Greenwoods Pond368 acreswalk-in accessAlso hunted here: Waterfowl, Small game mammals (gray squirrel, cottontail rabbit, European hare, snowshoe hare, woodchuck), White-tailed deerRelease mapProperty page
Robbins Swamp WMASat. Oct. 10: no releaseSeason total: 775
Map, links & land facts
Open in maps41.99741, -73.33882Public land:1,638 acreswalk-in accessAlso hunted here: Waterfowl, Small game mammals (gray squirrel, cottontail rabbit, European hare, snowshoe hare, woodchuck), White-tailed deer, Wild turkeyRelease mapProperty page
Thomaston DamSat. Oct. 10: no releaseSeason total: 515
Map, links & land facts
No map link (location approximate)Thomaston Dam (Army Corps)850 acresaccess by permitAlso hunted here: White-tailed deerMaps available through the Army Corps Office.Property page
Middlesex County
Cockaponset SF Aircraft Rd.Sat. Oct. 10: no releaseSeason total: Birds are stocked by club. agency doesn't say planned or reported
Map, links & land facts
No map link (location approximate)Release map
Cromwell Meadows WMASat. Oct. 10: no releaseSeason total: 355
Map, links & land facts
Open in maps41.58551, -72.6598Public land:548 acreswalk-in accessAlso hunted here: Waterfowl, Small game mammals (gray squirrel, cottontail rabbit, European hare, snowshoe hare, woodchuck), White-tailed deer, Wild turkeyRelease mapProperty page
Durham Meadows WMASat. Oct. 10: no releaseSeason total: 410
Map, links & land facts
Open in maps41.46563, -72.68964Public land:515 acreswalk-in accessAlso hunted here: Waterfowl, Small game mammals (gray squirrel, cottontail rabbit, European hare, snowshoe hare, woodchuck), White-tailed deer, Wild turkeyRelease mapProperty page
Higganum Meadows WMASat. Oct. 10: no releaseSeason total: 650
Map, links & land facts
Open in maps41.50714, -72.54155Public land:256 acreswalk-in accessAlso hunted here: Waterfowl, Small game mammals (gray squirrel, cottontail rabbit, European hare, snowshoe hare, woodchuck), White-tailed deer, Wild turkeyRelease mapProperty page
Wangunk Meadows WMASat. Oct. 10: no releaseSeason total: 760
Map, links & land facts
No map link (location approximate)Public land:643 acreswalk-in accessAlso hunted here: Waterfowl, Small game mammals (gray squirrel, cottontail rabbit, European hare, snowshoe hare, woodchuck), White-tailed deer, Wild turkeyRelease mapProperty page
New Haven County
Meriden Permit-Required AreaSat. Oct. 10: no releaseSeason total: 200+ birds/season (+stocked by club)
Map, links & land facts
No map link (location approximate)Meriden Rod and Gun Club1,364 acresaccess by permitAlso hunted here: Waterfowl, Small game mammals (gray squirrel, cottontail rabbit, European hare, snowshoe hare, woodchuck)Daily Permit Required.Release mapProperty page
Naugatuck State Forest (West Block)Permit daysstockedSeason total: 1,275
Map, links & land facts
No map link (location approximate)Naugatuck State Forest4,175 acreswalk-in accessAlso hunted here: Waterfowl, Small game mammals (gray squirrel, cottontail rabbit, European hare, snowshoe hare, woodchuck), White-tailed deer, Wild turkeySaturday Permit Required on West Block (Hunter's Mountain).These areas will be stocked on Saturday morning and prior to each hunting group.Release mapProperty page
Naugatuck State Forest (Mt. Sanford Block)Sat. Oct. 10: no releaseSeason total: 265
Map, links & land facts
Open in maps41.45923, -72.94217Naugatuck State Forest4,175 acreswalk-in accessAlso hunted here: Waterfowl, Small game mammals (gray squirrel, cottontail rabbit, European hare, snowshoe hare, woodchuck), White-tailed deer, Wild turkeyRelease mapProperty page
Seymour-Oxford Permit-required AreaSat. Oct. 10: no releaseSeason total: 550+ birds (+stocked by club)
Map, links & land facts
Open in maps41.46249, -73.14069Seymour Fish & Game Club91 acresaccess by permitAlso hunted here: Waterfowl, Small game mammals (gray squirrel, cottontail rabbit, European hare, snowshoe hare, woodchuck)Daily Permit Required.Release mapProperty page
Wallingford Permit-Required AreaSat. Oct. 10: no releaseSeason total: 300+ birds/season (+stocked by club)
Map, links & land facts
Open in maps41.42225, -72.78875Wallingford Town Owned Area823 acresaccess by permitAlso hunted here: Waterfowl, Small game mammals (gray squirrel, cottontail rabbit, European hare, snowshoe hare, woodchuck)Daily Permit Required.Release mapProperty page
New London County
Babcock Pond WMASat. Oct. 10: no releaseSeason total: 590
Map, links & land facts
No map link (location approximate)Release map
Barn Island WMASat. Oct. 10: no releaseSeason total: 610
Map, links & land facts
No map link (location approximate)Public land:1,039 acreswalk-in accessAlso hunted here: Waterfowl, Small game mammals (gray squirrel, cottontail rabbit, European hare, snowshoe hare, woodchuck), White-tailed deer, Wild turkeyRelease mapProperty page
Bartlett Brook WMAstockedSeason total: 775
Map, links & land facts
Open in maps41.59645, -72.2674Bartlett Brook WMA (Incl. Deer Bowhunting Only areas - see map)727 acreswalk-in accessAlso hunted here: Waterfowl, Small game mammals (gray squirrel, cottontail rabbit, European hare, snowshoe hare, woodchuck), White-tailed deer, Wild turkeyRelease mapProperty page
Bear Hill WMASat. Oct. 10: no releaseSeason total: 705
Map, links & land facts
Open in maps41.53504, -72.1638Public land:365 acreswalk-in accessAlso hunted here: Waterfowl, Small game mammals (gray squirrel, cottontail rabbit, European hare, snowshoe hare, woodchuck), White-tailed deer, Wild turkeyRelease mapProperty page
Franklin WMASat. Oct. 10: no releaseSeason total: 565
Map, links & land facts
No map link (location approximate)Franklin Swamp WMA728 acreswalk-in accessAlso hunted here: Waterfowl, Small game mammals (gray squirrel, cottontail rabbit, European hare, snowshoe hare, woodchuck), White-tailed deer, Wild turkeyRelease mapProperty page
Larson Lot WMASat. Oct. 10: no releaseSeason total: 520
Map, links & land facts
Open in maps41.56638, -72.41983Public land:206 acreswalk-in accessAlso hunted here: Waterfowl, Small game mammals (gray squirrel, cottontail rabbit, European hare, snowshoe hare, woodchuck), White-tailed deer, Wild turkeyRelease mapProperty page
Meadow Brook WMAstockedSeason total: 705
Map, links & land facts
Open in maps41.57937, -72.3844Public land:269 acreswalk-in accessAlso hunted here: Waterfowl, Small game mammals (gray squirrel, cottontail rabbit, European hare, snowshoe hare, woodchuck), White-tailed deer, Wild turkeyRelease mapProperty page
Norwich Permit-Required AreaSat. Oct. 10: no releaseSeason total: Approximately 150 birds/season (stocked by club)
Map, links & land facts
Open in maps41.57916, -72.09477Norwich PR Area528 acresaccess by permitDaily Permit Required.Release mapProperty page
Pachaug State ForestSat. Oct. 10: no releaseSeason total: 670
Map, links & land facts
No map link (location approximate)Pachaug State Forest (see map online)27,350 acreswalk-in accessAlso hunted here: Waterfowl, Small game mammals (gray squirrel, cottontail rabbit, European hare, snowshoe hare, woodchuck), White-tailed deer, Wild turkeyRelease mapProperty page
Pease Brook WMASat. Oct. 10: no releaseSeason total: 205
Map, links & land facts
Open in maps41.59089, -72.19482Public land:213 acreswalk-in accessAlso hunted here: Waterfowl, Small game mammals (gray squirrel, cottontail rabbit, European hare, snowshoe hare, woodchuck), White-tailed deer, Wild turkeyRelease mapProperty page
Rose Hill WMASat. Oct. 10: no releaseSeason total: 680
Map, links & land facts
Open in maps41.48166, -72.0177Public land:874 acreswalk-in accessAlso hunted here: Waterfowl, Small game mammals (gray squirrel, cottontail rabbit, European hare, snowshoe hare, woodchuck), White-tailed deer, Wild turkeyRelease mapProperty page
Sprague Town-Owned Permit-Required AreaSat. Oct. 10: no releaseSeason total: 100
Map, links & land facts
Open in maps41.65325, -72.11806Sprague Town Land PR Area (Non-toxic shot only)620 acresaccess by permitDaily Permit Required.Release mapProperty page
Tolland County
Mansfield Hollow Lake State-Leased Hunting AreastockedSeason total: 910
Map, links & land facts
No map link (location approximate)Mansfield Hollow State-leased WMA (excluding State Park & Field Trial Area)2,017 acreswalk-in accessAlso hunted here: Waterfowl, Small game mammals (gray squirrel, cottontail rabbit, European hare, snowshoe hare, woodchuck), White-tailed deer, Wild turkeyRelease mapRelease mapProperty page
Nathan Hale State ForestSat. Oct. 10: no releaseSeason total: 515
Map, links & land facts
No map link (location approximate)Nathan Hale State Forest Mgmt. Area1,560 acreswalk-in accessAlso hunted here: Waterfowl, Small game mammals (gray squirrel, cottontail rabbit, European hare, snowshoe hare, woodchuck), White-tailed deer, Wild turkeyRelease mapProperty page
Windham County
James V. Spignesi WMASat. Oct. 10: no releaseSeason total: 485
Map, links & land facts
Open in maps41.70684, -72.07544James V. Spignesi, Jr. WMA520 acreswalk-in accessAlso hunted here: Waterfowl, Small game mammals (gray squirrel, cottontail rabbit, European hare, snowshoe hare, woodchuck), White-tailed deer, Wild turkeyRelease mapProperty page
Quinebaug River WMA (Sugarbrook FTA and Hatchery)Sat. Oct. 10: no releaseSeason total: 685
Map, links & land facts
Open in maps41.71899, -71.9469Quinebaug River WMA1,410 acreswalk-in accessAlso hunted here: Waterfowl, Small game mammals (gray squirrel, cottontail rabbit, European hare, snowshoe hare, woodchuck), White-tailed deer, Wild turkeyRelease mapRelease mapProperty page
West Thompson DamSat. Oct. 10: no releaseSeason total: 500
Map, links & land facts
No map link (location approximate)West Thompson Dam (Army Corps)1,773 acreswalk-in accessAlso hunted here: Waterfowl, Small game mammals (gray squirrel, cottontail rabbit, European hare, snowshoe hare, woodchuck), White-tailed deer, Wild turkeyRelease mapRelease mapRelease mapProperty page

Agency sources

Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, Wildlife Division