COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — More than 14,000 ring-necked pheasants will be released at 24 public hunting areas in Ohio this fall to increase opportunities for hunters across the state.

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources says its Division of Wildlife will release pheasants prior to the small-game weekends for youth hunters. Hunters who are 17 years old and younger can hunt statewide for rabbit, pheasant and all other legal game in season during two the weekends of Oct. 20-21 and Oct. 27-28.

Ohio’s small game hunting season begins Nov. 2 and continues through Jan. 13, 2019. Pheasants will be released for opening day and prior to the Veterans Day and Thanksgiving holiday weekends.