CASPER, Wyo. — Pheasant hunting season in southeast Wyoming is about to kick off, and the Downar Bird Farm is prepared to stock hunting areas into the winter, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department’s Laramie Region said Tuesday.
“We have the average number of birds this year — around 17,000 — so we should have a sufficient number to keep all areas stocked twice a week through the middle of December,” Ben Milner, Downar Game Bird Farm coordinator, said.
Once seasons open, pheasants will be released at the Springer/Bump Sullivan Wildlife Habitat Management Area, the Table Mountain WHMA, Glendo State Park and Goshen County Walk-In Areas 24 and 63 as long as adequate cover remains, Game and Fish said. However, pheasants won’t be released in Platte or Laramie County Walk-In Areas this season due to a lack of cover amid ongoing drought.
The first pheasant season to open in southeast Wyoming will be the Springer Special Pheasant Hunt, which begins on Thursday, Oct. 13.
The Springer Special Hunt runs for 19 days with youth-only days set for the remaining Saturdays in October. During the Springer Special Pheasant Hunt, pheasants will be released each day at the Springer/Bump Sullivan Wildlife Habitat Management Area, according to Game and Fish. There is a nine-bird limit for the Springer Special Pheasant Hunt Season and three-bird daily limit.
“All hunters must check in and out at the Springer Check Station during the dates of the Springer special pheasant hunt,” Game and Fish said. “Hunters should note that even if they didn’t draw a permit for their preferred date, openings may still be available and they can access the Springer unit by signing up on the standby list posted at the check station. Pheasant hunters are urged to purchase all required licenses and stamps ahead of time to take advantage of the electronic pass to expedite the check-in process.”
The Glendo hunt and regular pheasant hunting season in southeast Wyoming will open on Nov. 1 and run through Dec. 31.
The Glendo hunt will include youth-only days on Nov. 6, 13, 20 and 27.
“Birds will be stocked twice a week at Glendo State Park through the middle of December,” Game and Fish said. “Glendo permits are required to hunt pheasants in Hunt Area 9 on each Friday, Saturday and Monday during the open season in November.
“Glendo permits are not required to hunt pheasants in Hunt Area 9 on other days during the open season. There is no check station at the Glendo hunt. However, hunters must have the proper permit in their possession during permitted days.”
In order to participate in the pheasant hunting seasons, hunters must have the appropriate licenses and conservation stamps and have completed hunter education requirements. There is also a $15.50 pheasant special management permit required for all ages of hunters in the Springer Special Hunt and Glendo hunts. A state park permit is required to hunt at the Glendo locations other than the County Line area, Game and Fish added.
“Permits can be purchased at any state park, by telephone at 1-877-WYO-PARK [1-877-996-7275], or online at www.wyo-park.com,” Game and Fish said. “Additional information on pheasant hunting and maps of the walk-in areas can be found at wgfd.wyo.gov/regulations. Hunters can call the Laramie Game and Fish at (307) 745-4046 for more information.”
