PointsAfieldSeason2026–27
Washington · Ring-necked pheasant

Washington pheasant release schedule, fall 2026

WDFW list · fall 2026Updated Oct. 14, 2026

Washington pheasant release dates and sites for fall 2026, from WDFW's own list: 53 sites, no release days published, 7 on WDFW's release rules.

WDFW doesn't publish per-site counts. Western Washington Pheasant Release Program: Each year 35,000 to 40,000 pheasants are released on approximately 25 release sites.

Read the 4 caveats before you go

Rules and caveats

Western Washington Pheasant Release Program

Open to
All hunters · Youth hunters
You need
A Western-Washington pheasant license is required to hunt pheasants in western Washington. A small game license is not required to participate. The western Washington pheasant license costs $115.85 for adults and $55.13 for youth (under 16). WDFW
Whole program, whole season
Each year 35,000 to 40,000 pheasants are released on approximately 25 release sites. WDFW 2026 list
WDFW doesn't publish release days
Note that some release dates are not published to minimize crowding at the release sites and promote hunter ethics.
WDFW
  • 12 SEP – 13 SEP 2026Youth only
  • 14 SEP – 18 SEP 2026Hunters 65 or older and hunters with disabilities
  • 19 SEP – 30 NOV 2026Regular season
Other WDFW rules
Hunting is allowed from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. each day.
WDFW
The bag limit is two pheasants of either sex per day.
WDFW
To protect other wildlife species including waterfowl and raptors, nontoxic shot is required for all upland bird, dove and band-tailed pigeon hunting on all pheasant release sites statewide.
WDFW
Hunter orange must be worn by hunters using release sites.
WDFW

Eastern Washington Pheasant Enhancement Program

Open to
All hunters · Youth hunters
WDFW doesn't publish release days
We do not provide release dates because we want to minimize crowding at the release sites and promote hunter ethics.
WDFW
  • 12 SEP – 13 SEP 2026Youth only
  • 14 SEP – 18 SEP 2026Hunters 65 or older and hunters with disabilities
  • 17 OCT 2026 – 18 JAN 2027Regular season
Other WDFW rules
A small game license is required to hunt pheasants in Eastern Washington.
WDFW
Eastern Washington pheasant hunting hours follow the official hunting hours for migratory game birds, upland birds, and wild turkeys. See WAC 220-416-050.
WDFW
To protect other wildlife species including waterfowl and raptors, non-toxic shot is required for all upland bird, dove and band-tailed pigeon on all pheasant release sites statewide.
WDFW
Check before you go
  • Older list

    WDFW's release-site list still includes Intalco and Hollebeke HMU, but neither gets birds in 2026. Intalco is closed for pipeline repair and Hollebeke burned, so both are left off here. WDFW points Intalco hunters to Lake Terrell and BP.

    • There will not be pheasants released at the Intalco Unit during the 2026 season. source
    • 2026 - No pheasant releases this year due to fire. source
  • Carried forward

    WDFW's 2026 report gives release days and numbers for Skookumchuck and Scatter Creek, but the text looks copied from an earlier year. Its start date, Sept. 14, is a Monday in 2026, and the same section compares 2025 releases with 2024's. Treat the days as a guide, not a schedule. Applies to: Skookumchuck, Scatter Creek.

    source
  • Subject to change

    Washington cut the western Washington pheasant budget for 2026-27. WDFW's district biologists don't expect the cut to change much this season.

    source
  • Unverified

    WDFW's 2026-27 regulations pamphlet names some release areas that aren't on its release-site list, such as Belfair, Colockum, Finn Ridge Road and Sargeant Mac. This page follows the release-site list. Check with WDFW before hunting one of the others.

    source

Every site

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

Release dates per site · WDFW 2026 list
SiteMap, links & land
Asotin County
Asotin WMA
Map, links & land facts
Open in maps46.26081, -117.10943
Chelan County
Chelan Butte
Map, links & land facts
Open in maps47.7954, -120.06838
WDFW doesn't publish release days
Release dates are not made public to reduce overcrowding at release sites and ensure the safety of WDFW staff members during releases. Pheasants are released before the youth upland season and before the general season opening day, with a final release taking place before the end of November.
WDFW
  • 12 SEP – 13 SEP 2026Youth only
  • 14 SEP – 18 SEP 2026Hunters 65 or older and hunters with disabilities
  • 17 OCT 2026 – 18 JAN 2027Regular season
Swakane
Map, links & land facts
Open in maps47.56685, -120.33441
WDFW doesn't publish release days
Release dates are not made public to reduce overcrowding at release sites and ensure the safety of WDFW staff members during releases. Pheasants are released before the youth upland season and before the general season opening day, with a final release taking place before the end of November.
WDFW
  • 12 SEP – 13 SEP 2026Youth only
  • 14 SEP – 18 SEP 2026Hunters 65 or older and hunters with disabilities
  • 17 OCT 2026 – 18 JAN 2027Regular season
Clark County
Shillapoo
Map, links & land facts
Open in maps45.69351, -122.74941Shillapoo Wildlife Areawalk-in accessOnly the South Unit of Shillapoo is a pheasant release site. However, pheasant hunting is allowed in the North Unit of the Shillapoo Wildlife Area.Property page
Vancouver Lake
Map, links & land facts
Open in maps45.65981, -122.7202
Columbia County
Hartsock
Map, links & land facts
Open in maps46.37616, -117.69228
Cowlitz County
Woodland Bottoms
Map, links & land facts
Open in maps45.87304, -122.74905Public land:unknownProperty page
Ferry County
Sherman Creek
Map, links & land facts
Open in maps48.57577, -118.14516Sherman Creek Wildlife Area11,100 acreswalk-in accessAlso hunted here: Wild turkey, White-tailed deerProperty page
Franklin County
Big Flat HMU
Map, links & land facts
Open in maps46.2997, -118.78673
Hope Valley
Map, links & land facts
Open in maps46.49983, -119.08634
Lost Island HMU
Map, links & land facts
Open in maps46.36693, -118.71205
Garfield County
Rice Bar HMU
Map, links & land facts
Open in maps46.69631, -117.65862
Willow Bar HMU
Map, links & land facts
Open in maps46.66072, -117.75881
Grant County
Banks Lake
Map, links & land facts
Open in maps47.61768, -119.3252
WDFW doesn't publish release days
Please note that pheasant release dates are not made public to reduce overcrowding at release sites and ensure the safety of WDFW staff members during releases. Hunters can count on pheasants being released before the youth upland season (Sept. 12-13) and before the general season opening day (Oct. 17), with two additional releases taking place before the end of November.
WDFW
  • 12 SEP – 13 SEP 2026Youth only
  • 14 SEP – 18 SEP 2026Hunters 65 or older and hunters with disabilities
  • 17 OCT 2026 – 18 JAN 2027Regular season
Buckshot
Map, links & land facts
Open in maps46.71491, -119.95186
WDFW doesn't publish release days
Please note that pheasant release dates are not made public to reduce overcrowding at release sites and ensure the safety of WDFW staff members during releases. Hunters can count on pheasants being released before the youth upland season (Sept. 12-13) and before the general season opening day (Oct. 17), with two additional releases taking place before the end of November.
WDFW
  • 12 SEP – 13 SEP 2026Youth only
  • 14 SEP – 18 SEP 2026Hunters 65 or older and hunters with disabilities
  • 17 OCT 2026 – 18 JAN 2027Regular season
Corfu
Map, links & land facts
Open in maps46.84872, -119.46336
WDFW doesn't publish release days
Please note that pheasant release dates are not made public to reduce overcrowding at release sites and ensure the safety of WDFW staff members during releases. Hunters can count on pheasants being released before the youth upland season (Sept. 12-13) and before the general season opening day (Oct. 17), with two additional releases taking place before the end of November.
WDFW
  • 12 SEP – 13 SEP 2026Youth only
  • 14 SEP – 18 SEP 2026Hunters 65 or older and hunters with disabilities
  • 17 OCT 2026 – 18 JAN 2027Regular season
Gloyd Seeps
Map, links & land facts
Open in maps47.27424, -119.31945
WDFW doesn't publish release days
Please note that pheasant release dates are not made public to reduce overcrowding at release sites and ensure the safety of WDFW staff members during releases. Hunters can count on pheasants being released before the youth upland season (Sept. 12-13) and before the general season opening day (Oct. 17), with two additional releases taking place before the end of November.
WDFW
  • 12 SEP – 13 SEP 2026Youth only
  • 14 SEP – 18 SEP 2026Hunters 65 or older and hunters with disabilities
  • 17 OCT 2026 – 18 JAN 2027Regular season
Quincy
Map, links & land facts
Open in maps47.15477, -119.90826
WDFW doesn't publish release days
Please note that pheasant release dates are not made public to reduce overcrowding at release sites and ensure the safety of WDFW staff members during releases. Hunters can count on pheasants being released before the youth upland season (Sept. 12-13) and before the general season opening day (Oct. 17), with two additional releases taking place before the end of November.
WDFW
  • 12 SEP – 13 SEP 2026Youth only
  • 14 SEP – 18 SEP 2026Hunters 65 or older and hunters with disabilities
  • 17 OCT 2026 – 18 JAN 2027Regular season
Steamboat Rock
Map, links & land facts
Open in maps47.84179, -119.1408
WDFW doesn't publish release days
Please note that pheasant release dates are not made public to reduce overcrowding at release sites and ensure the safety of WDFW staff members during releases. Hunters can count on pheasants being released before the youth upland season (Sept. 12-13) and before the general season opening day (Oct. 17), with two additional releases taking place before the end of November.
WDFW
  • 12 SEP – 13 SEP 2026Youth only
  • 14 SEP – 18 SEP 2026Hunters 65 or older and hunters with disabilities
  • 17 OCT 2026 – 18 JAN 2027Regular season
Grays Harbor County
Chehalis River
Map, links & land facts
Open in maps46.96648, -123.53189Public land:unknownHunters must retrieve all spent shells.Property page
Island County
Arnold Farm
Map, links & land facts
Open in maps48.24717, -122.72552Public land:unknownHunters must choose to hunt on either odd-numbered or even-numbered weekend days, from 8:00 AM until 10:00 AM. Youth and senior hunters may hunt on either day.Property page
Bayview
Map, links & land facts
Open in maps47.9942, -122.47089Public land:unknownThis site will be open for public access on weekends only.Hunters must choose to hunt on either odd-numbered or even-numbered weekend days, from 8:00 AM until 10:00 AM. Youth and senior hunters may hunt on either day.Property page
OLF Coupeville
Map, links & land facts
Open in maps48.20196, -122.64081Public land:unknownHunters must choose to hunt on either odd-numbered or even-numbered weekend days, from 8:00 AM until 10:00 AM. Youth and senior hunters may hunt on either day.Civilian hunters may participate in the pheasant release and upland game program on the installation. In order to participate in these on-base hunting programs, all civilian hunters must submit to a National Crime Information Check (NCIC) background check at NAS Whidbey Island prior to being issued an installation hunting permit.Property page
Seaplane Base
Map, links & land facts
Open in maps48.30364, -122.58098Public land:unknownHunters must choose to hunt on either odd-numbered or even-numbered weekend days, from 8:00 AM until 10:00 AM. Youth and senior hunters may hunt on either day.Civilian hunters may participate in the pheasant release and upland game program on the installation. In order to participate in these on-base hunting programs, all civilian hunters must submit to a National Crime Information Check (NCIC) background check at NAS Whidbey Island prior to being issued an installation hunting permit.Property page
Zylstra Road
Map, links & land facts
Open in maps48.24221, -122.7344Public land:unknownHunters must choose to hunt on either odd-numbered or even-numbered weekend days, from 8:00 AM until 10:00 AM. Youth and senior hunters may hunt on either day.Property page
King County
Cherry Valley
Map, links & land facts
Open in maps47.75287, -121.96238Public land:unknownHunters must choose to hunt on either odd-numbered or even numbered weekend days, from 8:00 AM until 10:00 AM. Youth and senior hunters may hunt on either day.Property page
Stillwater
Map, links & land facts
Open in maps47.6799, -121.93231Public land:unknownHunters must choose to hunt on either odd-numbered or even-numbered weekend days, from 8:00 AM until 10:00 AM. Youth and senior hunters may hunt on either day.Property page
Kittitas County
Whiskey Dick
Map, links & land facts
Open in maps46.99973, -120.24947
Klickitat County
Goldendale Hatchery
Map, links & land facts
Open in maps45.84087, -120.90041
Gun Club
Map, links & land facts
Open in maps45.82061, -120.69243
Lewis County
Kosmos
Map, links & land facts
Open in maps46.50021, -122.1783Public land:unknownThis site has an extended hunting season from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, December 1 - 15. No additional pheasants are released during this season.Property page
Lincoln Creek
Map, links & land facts
Open in maps46.7382, -123.25281Public land:unknownThis site has an extended hunting season from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, December 1 - 15. No additional pheasants are released during this season.Property page
Lincoln County
Fishtrap Lake
Map, links & land facts
Open in maps47.3374, -117.8503
Mason County
Hunter Farms
Map, links & land facts
Open in maps47.32431, -123.13079Public land:unknownLimited hunting hours in October.Weekdays 8:00 am -12:00 pm.Weekends 8:00 am -10:00 am.September and November open 7 days/week, 8:00 am -4:00 pm.Property page
Mason Lake
Map, links & land facts
Open in maps47.36553, -122.91149Public land:unknownThis site has an extended hunting season from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, December 1 - 15. No additional pheasants are released during this season.Property page
Purdy Cutoff
Map, links & land facts
Open in maps47.31602, -123.13896Public land:unknownProperty page
Trask Lake
Map, links & land facts
Open in maps47.32583, -122.99936Public land:unknownThis site has an extended hunting season from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, December 1 - 15. No additional pheasants are released during this season.Property page
Okanogan County
Chiliwist
Map, links & land facts
Open in maps48.29355, -119.76112
Hegdahl
Map, links & land facts
Open in maps48.87773, -119.4294
Kline
Map, links & land facts
Open in maps48.91539, -119.43847
Pacific County
Chinook
Map, links & land facts
Open in maps46.29866, -123.95157Public land:unknownProperty page
Skagit County
Samish
Map, links & land facts
Open in maps48.54423, -122.48895Samish Wildlife Area Unitwalk-in accessAlso hunted here: Wilson's snipe, Waterfowl, Coot
The rule WDFW publishes instead of dates
There will be two releases, one just prior to the youth hunt and the other on the Monday of the senior hunt week. No further releases will occur after this.
WDFW
However, hunters may pursue the remaining on-site pheasants until the opening of the statewide waterfowl season on October 11 (see page 21 of the pamphlet). This site is closed after this date to minimize conflicts between pheasant and waterfowl hunters since the unit is managed and used primarily for waterfowl hunting.Property page
Snohomish County
Crescent Lake
Map, links & land facts
Open in maps47.81404, -122.00157Public land:unknown
The rule WDFW publishes instead of dates
The Ebey Island and Crescent Lake units will each get 35-45 birds. They will be released on Friday and Saturday evenings, and on a varied schedule for Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday evenings.
WDFW
Hunters must choose to hunt on either odd-numbered or even-numbered weekend days, from 8:00 AM until 10:00 AM. Youth and senior hunters may hunt on either day.Property page
Ebey Island
Map, links & land facts
Open in maps47.96776, -122.14899Public land:unknown
The rule WDFW publishes instead of dates
The Ebey Island and Crescent Lake units will each get 35-45 birds. They will be released on Friday and Saturday evenings, and on a varied schedule for Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday evenings.
WDFW
Property page
Thurston County
Scatter Creek
Map, links & land facts
Open in maps46.83317, -123.00736Scatter Creek Wildlife Area5,020 acreswalk-in access
The rule WDFW publishes instead of dates
Approximately 3,000 pheasants (10% of total production) will be released at Scatter Creek Wildlife Area, with 105-120 birds released each day on Saturdays, Sundays, and Wednesdays.
WDFW

This rule is from WDFW's announcement for an earlier year.

Hunters must choose to hunt on either odd-numbered or even-numbered weekend days, from 8:00 AM until 10:00 AM. Youth and senior hunters may hunt on either day.This site has an extended hunting season from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, December 1 - 15. No additional pheasants are released during this season.Property page
Skookumchuck
Map, links & land facts
Open in maps46.78984, -122.74663Public land:unknown
The rule WDFW publishes instead of dates
Approximately 1,500 pheasants (5% of total production) will be released at the Skookumchuck Wildlife Area this season, with 45-60 birds released each day on Saturdays, Sundays, and Wednesdays from Sept. 14 through Thanksgiving morning.
WDFW

This rule is from WDFW's announcement for an earlier year.

Hunters must choose to hunt on either odd-numbered or even-numbered weekend days, from 8:00 AM until 10:00 AM. Youth and senior hunters may hunt on either day.This site has an extended hunting season from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, December 1 - 15. No additional pheasants are released during this season.Property page
JBLM permit fieldsPermit only
Map, links & land facts
Open in maps47.01825, -122.62933
Walla Walla County
Mill Creek HMU
Map, links & land facts
Open in maps46.0607, -118.26627
Whatcom County
BP
Map, links & land facts
Open in maps48.89855, -122.73151Public land:unknown
The rule WDFW publishes instead of dates
Volunteer members perform releases on Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday of each week during the season.
WDFW
Due to ongoing habitat restoration, the southeast quadrant of the BP property (east of Blaine Road) is closed to all access and hunting.Hunters must choose to hunt on either odd-numbered or even-numbered weekend days, from 8:00 AM until 10:00 AM. Youth and senior hunters may hunt on either day.Property page
Lake Terrell
Map, links & land facts
Open in maps48.85498, -122.68537Public land:unknown
The rule WDFW publishes instead of dates
Volunteer members perform releases on Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday of each week during the season.
WDFW
Hunters must choose to hunt on either odd-numbered or even-numbered weekend days, from 8:00 AM until 10:00 AM. Youth and senior hunters may hunt on either day.Property page
Whitman County
Central Ferry HMU
Map, links & land facts
Open in maps46.62899, -117.80806
John Henley HMU
Map, links & land facts
Open in maps46.58612, -118.06654
Yakima County
Sunnyside
Map, links & land facts
Open in maps46.24522, -120.0423

Agency sources

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife