The law

You can release small numbers of ring-necked pheasants and chukar partridge (up to 10 of each species) for hunting on private property without a permit or authorization from the ministry.

You need to follow certain rules.

Source law

This is a summary of the provincial laws. You can find a complete set of rules related to this activity in:

The rules

You must:

  • hold a small game licence
  • release only up to 10 ring-necked pheasants and/or 10 chukar partridge each year
  • release the birds on land you own or occupy (e.g., you lease the land)
  • release the birds during the open hunting season for the species

If you follow these rules, you do not need a permit or authorization.

Daily bag and possession limits

While you can release up to 10 birds of each species, there are daily and overall possession limits on the quantity of ring-necked pheasants you can harvest and keep.

These rules are outlined in the Hunting Regulations Summary.

More information on hunting rules

Other bird species or quantities over 10

If you want to release more than 10 birds of each species – or another bird species – other authorizations and approvals apply.

Contact a local ministry office for more information.

More information

Please contact the ministry for more information at:

Email: NRISC@ontario.ca
Phone: 1-800-387-7011 (toll-free)