The Idaho Department of Fish and Game Commission expanded the pheasant stocking program to include the Boundary-Smith Creek Wildlife Management and will release over 600 pheasants for hunting.

According to Regional Wildlife Habitat Biologist Robert Akins, Wildlife management will be stocking and releasing farm-raised pheasants starting on Sunday, Sept. 27, and will release more pheasants the following Sunday.

According to the Game Bird Foundation, Idaho Fish and Game purchases pheasant chicks and makes them available for Idaho residents to raise at no charge. When the birds are five weeks old, they are ready to leave the brooder and be released in the wild.

Pheasant releasing will occur every two weeks after Oct. 4, but the first pheasant release is aimed at the pheasant youth opener, which begins on Oct. 3rd.

The youth hunter’s primary stocking location will be near the fish and game shop at the end of the North Dike Road; to participate in the youth opener, you must be 17 years old or younger to participate.

Youth hunters must have a valid hunting license and must follow the two pheasant a day rule.

Adults will be required to have a valid hunting license and an Upland game bird permit; you can purchase a permit at participating vendors who sell hunting and fishing licenses.

A notable requirement is the 36 inches of visible hunter orange above the waist.

Stocking locations will be accessible from the parking areas at Smith Creek and near the fish and game shop at the end of the North Dike Road.

To provide an enjoyable hunting experience and prevent hunter crowding, pheasants will be released over several acres at the listed locations.