MassWildlife has been stocking pheasants since the 1890s! The program is still going strong with over 40,000 pheasants stocked each year on public and private lands that are open to hunting. Check out the list below or visit mass.gov/pheasant to view a map of all stocking locations.
Stafford Hill WMA
Cheshire
This high-elevation WMA with gently sloping fields and forests is a great place to hunt. MassWildlife’s active management activities maintain grassland and young forest habitat that provides cover for pheasants and excellent habitat for ruffed grouse and American woodcock. The combination of fields and forest also support white-tailed deer, black bears, and wild turkeys. Hunters can enjoy great views throughout the property, including a spectacular look at Mount Greylock from the top of Stafford Hill. Visit mass.gov/pheasant for more pheasant stocked locations.
Eugene D. Moran WMA
Windsor
This WMA provides some of the best upland game bird hunting in the region. Pheasants are stocked in the mowed fields, young forests, and forest edges on either side of Savoy Road. The managed shrublands and alder swamps provide excellent habitat American woodcock and ruffed grouse. White-tailed deer, wild turkeys, and black bears can be found throughout the property. Visit mass.gov/pheasant for more pheasant stocked locations.
Leyden WMA
Leyden
This property covers the hills surrounding Ball Mountain and provides visitors with impressive panoramic views. Hunters will find mature upland forest along with acres of open habitats including old field habitat, shrubland, and ridgetop heaths. MassWildlife’s habitat management activities—including mowing, prescribed fire, and invasive plant control—maintain these open areas. Black bear, white-tailed deer, wild turkey, ruffed grouse, American woodcock, and a variety of small game can be found on this WMA. Visit mass.gov/pheasant for more pheasant stocked locations.
Southwick WMA
Southwick
The creation of Southwick WMA was part of a large-scale effort to conserve grassland habitat in the Connecticut Valley. Open habitats like grasslands provide great pheasant hunting opportunities and are vital to the survival of many types of native wildlife. Most of this area was formerly used for tabaco production. MassWildlife acquired most of the property in 2008 and has since conducted extensive grassland restoration and forest management to promote vigorous growth of native grasses, shrubs, and trees. Several maintenance roads and unmarked trails wind through the WMA. Visit mass.gov/pheasant for more pheasant stocked locations.
Birch Hill WMA
Royalston and Winchendon
Birch Hill WMA is made up of several large parcels and is adjacent to other large areas of conserved land. The property contains many acres of fields and shrubland where pheasants are stocked. There are also mixed hardwood and conifer forests, old apple orchards, and several wetland complexes. MassWildlife’s Habitat Program is working at Birch Hill to restore and maintain barrens (a type of open habitat) along with a mix of different ages of forest. Hunters will find sign of white-tailed deer, wild turkeys, and black bears. Ruffed grouse, eastern cottontail rabbits, coyotes, and foxes can also be found here. Ducks and geese frequent the small ponds and marshes in the northern part of the WMA. Visit mass.gov/pheasant for more pheasant stocked locations.
Wayne F. McCallum WMA
Westborough and Northborough
This property contains forests, fields, wetland areas, and two popular ponds. Several areas are leased for agricultural use, while other fields are mowed periodically to enhance pheasant cover and maintain open habitat for wildlife. MassWildlife’s Field Headquarters is located on the southwestern edge of the property; stop in for licenses, publications, or information weekdays from 8–4 (closed noon–12:30 for lunch). Visit mass.gov/pheasant for more pheasant stocked locations.
Francis Crane WMA (North Section)
Falmouth
The larger northern parcel of this WMA contains nearly 400 acres of open sandplain grassland along with pitch pine oak woodlands. Pheasants are stocked three times each week during the season. American woodcock, ruffed grouse, white-tailed deer, wild turkeys, coyotes, foxes, and cottontail rabbits can be found here as well. MassWildlife has conducted extensive habitat restoration work at this site and maintains open habitats with periodic mowing and prescribed fire. Visit mass.gov/pheasant for more pheasant stocked locations.
Francis Crane WMA (South Section)
Falmouth
MassWildlife stocks approximately 3,500 northern bobwhite quail at Myles Standish State Forest and the southern parcel of Frances Crane WMA. At Frances Crane, quail are stocked in the fields and woods south of Rt 151 between Hayway Rd and Currier Road.
Martin H. Burns WMA
Newbury and West Newbury
This WMA is named for Martin H. Burns, a sportsman, farmer, and public servant who advocated for the protection of open space in the early 1950s. Hunters will find shrublands, young forests, and mature woodlands interspersed with beaver ponds, streams, and marshes. MassWildlife manages shrublands and young forests with mowing and invasive plant treatment to maintain vigorous, healthy wildlife habitat and pheasant cover. Visit mass.gov/pheasant for more pheasant stocked locations.
New this year: Registration for Saturday hunting at Martin Burns WMA is no longer required.