Pheasant hunting season in the Panhandle set to start soon

Whether you are a new hunter or a seasoned veteran, pheasant hunting opportunity in 2024 will not disappoint.

Sometimes it can be challenging to introduce the sport of hunting to a youth or adult who has never hunted. Pheasant hunts are the perfect gateway opportunity as they are active, fun and often result in shooting opportunity and success.

Statewide, youth ages 17 years and younger with an Idaho hunting license can participate in the youth-only pheasant hunt from Oct. 5-11 across the state. 

Youth must be accompanied by a licensed adult 18 years or older, but they do not need an Upland Game Bird Permit. All hunters must wear hunter orange above the waist while hunting during pheasant season in areas where birds are stocked.

Young hunters who have never had a hunting license and have not taken hunter education can still participate in the hunt through Idaho's Hunting Passport Program. 

Rules to know about pheasant hunting in the Panhandle Region

There are two rule sets for hunting pheasants. One rule set applies to hunting pheasant outside of stocked areas, and the other rule set applies to hunting areas that are stocked by Fish and Game.

The two rule sets are the same, except for bag limit, shooting hours and permit requirements. 

If hunting in stocked areas, only two cock pheasants can be harvested a day, hunters can shoot from 10 a.m. PST to one-half hour after sunset and they need an Upland Game Bird Permit.

If hunting outside the boundaries of stocked areas, a total of three cock pheasants can be harvested a day, hunters can shoot one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset and they do not need an Upland Game Bird Permit.

In the Panhandle, resident hunters ages 18 and older can begin hunting pheasant on Oct. 12 and can continue doing so until Dec. 31. Nonresident hunters can begin hunting on Oct. 17.

IDFG officials remind hunters that there is no season for hen pheasants, and hunters are required to wear hunter orange and possess an Idaho hunting license. Also, a reminder that shooting from or across a roadway is unlawful.

Full rules can be found in the 2024-25 Idaho Upland Game, Turkey and Furbearer rules book on pages 11-12.

Pheasant will be stocked at two locations in the Panhandle:  Boundary-Smith Creek WMA and the Lane Marsh parcel on Coeur d’Alene River WMA.

Approximately 50 pheasants will be stocked weekly at each WMA beginning the week of Oct 1 and ending the week of Dec. 17 for a total of 594 pheasants at each WMA for the year.

Please note that at both locations there are small, naturalized pheasant populations. As such, it is possible hunters may encounter hen pheasant, which are illegal to harvest.

Located at the Idaho-British Columbia border, the Boundary-Smith Creek WMA is in the breathtaking Kootenai River Valley. The WMA is characterized by just over 2,000 acres of public land, and it includes both wetland, forested and upland habitats.

Grizzly bears often frequent the WMA, so hunters should be bear-aware and carry bear spray. 

The entire WMA is open to hunting, but there is no shooting allowed within 100 yards of the WMA headquarters located at the northeasternmost corner of the WMA. 

For the youth hunt, pheasants will be released in the field just north of Smith Creek and west of the WMA headquarters; there are parking areas at both locations. Additionally, birds can and do move from the stocked area, so you might find birds throughout the WMA, especially later in the youth hunt. After the youth hunt, all other releases will be scattered throughout the WMA.

The CDA River WMA is a collection of land parcels along the CDA River from Rose Lake to CDA Lake. The WMA boasts over 8,500 acres of public land containing wetland, lake, upland and forested habitats.

Although the entire WMA is open to hunting, only the Lane Marsh parcel will be stocked with pheasants.  Hunters will need an Upland Game Bird Permit to hunt either Lane or Strobel Marsh parcels, but they can hunt without the permit if outside the Lane or Strobel March parcels.   

Hunters are reminded that private lands are intermingled with CDA River WMA parcels, so know where you are at all times to avoid unintentionally trespassing.

Detailed pheasant stocking plans at the Coeur d’Alene River WMA can be found on the IDFG website.

Information: IDFG, Panhandle regional office, 208-769-1414

T.J. Ross is the regional communications manager for Idaho Department of Fish and Game in the Panhandle region.