DRAFT Management Plan for Ring-Necked Pheasants in New York 2010-2020
DEC is revising its Ten-Year Management Plan for Ring-necked Pheasants in New York adopted in 1999. A draft document describing proposed changes is now available for public review. Proposed actions described in the draft plan are subject to change based on comments that the Department receives between now and November 13, 2009.
DEC staff reviewed the current pheasant plan and programs, looked at how other states manage pheasants, talked to sportsmen and other stakeholders, and prepared a succinct action plan for guiding management and use of pheasants in New York through 2020. DEC biologists expect wild pheasant populations to decline further in most areas, so emphasis was on making the best use of propagated pheasants to satisfy recreational hunting interests. They considered simpler and more liberal seasons, costs and benefits of cooperator programs, and best uses of propagated pheasants, including ways to better serve people with special needs such as youth and people with disabilities. The team assumed that the current level of staff and fiscal resources for pheasant propagation and management would continue.
A copy of the draft plan can be read below or you can download the plan here (pdf, 597 KB). You can also request a copy by calling (607) 273-2768. To comment on the draft plan:
- Via e-mail (please leave the words "Pheasant Plan" in the subject line)
- Via regular mail: Pheasant Plan, Michael J. Murphy, 81 Game Farm Road, Ithaca, NY 14850.
- The due date for comments is November 13, 2009.
Pheasant Program Vision
To meet the current and future desires of people for pheasant hunting, observation, and educational opportunities within biological constraints and consistent with available funding.
Executive Summary
The ring-necked pheasant is a popular game bird in New York. Pheasants have graced our landscape since 1892 when they were successfully established on Gardiner's Island, located near the eastern end of Long Island. By the 1920s pheasants were successfully established across the state in most habitats that were deemed suitable for pheasants. Originally from Asia, pheasants filled a niche created by the cutting of forests and the formation of an agriculture based society. Today, more than 50,000 hunters in New York pursue pheasants annually and harvest approximately 100,000 birds. These numbers are low compared to 1968 when 272,000 pheasant hunters harvested over 500,000 pheasants.
The wild pheasant population has declined over 90 percent since the heydays of the late 1960s and early 1970s. Numerous factors contributed to the decline, but the loss of fallow grasslands for nesting and brood-rearing, decline in grain farming, and commercial and residential development appear to be the main causes. Nonetheless, pheasant hunting remains very popular and is strongly supported by sportsmen and sportswomen that take to the fields each fall. Much of this support stems from the state pheasant propagation program, which plays an integral part in providing pheasant hunting opportunity. The state propagation program began 100 years ago in Sherburne. All state pheasants are now propagated at the Richard E. Reynolds Game Farm located near Ithaca.
Pheasant management has been guided by two previous pheasant plans, the first adopted in 1979 and the last plan adopted in 1999. This draft plan represents a revision of the 1999 pheasant plan. It presents a realistic prognosis for wild pheasant management; provides for fiscally responsible use of state propagated birds; offers hunting regulations that are mutually beneficial for wild and propagated pheasants; focuses resources where most needed; and improves distribution of informational and educational materials about pheasants and our pheasant programs. Some of the proposed changes include:
1. Longer seasons to allow the taking of propagated pheasants released by the state, cooperators in state programs, and private individuals that raise and release pheasants on their own. Very few released pheasants survive to breed the following year. Therefore, extending seasons provides more days afield for hunters and allows for a higher harvest of released birds.
2. A longer season in the cocks only hunting area of western New York. Extending the season in the cock-only area of western New York should not impact wild pheasant populations in that area. Hen pheasants are still protected and the season closes before mid-winter when hunting disturbance could affect survival of wild pheasants. The longer season is more closely aligned with other states that have cock-only hunting areas. Hunters will have more days to hunt cock pheasants that are released in the area providing for higher harvest.
3. Eliminate distribution of birds for National Field Trial. The Department provided 600 adult cock pheasants each year for a National Field Trial in central New York. Although these birds are not shot during the trial, many are killed by predators and others are flushed off the area. Therefore, they are unavailable to hunters during the pheasant hunting season. The 600 birds might be better utilized during the regular pheasant hunting season or during special hunts for youth, people with disabilities, novices, and women. Field trial organizations can still apply to use state land and facilities to host events, but they would be required to buy or bring their own birds. The Department has received additional requests for pheasants for field trials which it has denied.
4. Terminate the Young Pheasant Release Program in 2011 and increase adult pheasant production by 5,000 birds per year. Our banding study of young pheasants determined that less that 10 percent of the young pheasants were reported harvested. Adult pheasants released just prior to and during the season reach harvest rates upwards of 50-60 percent. We propose eliminating the rearing and release of 15,000 young pheasants during the summer. Instead, we propose rearing and releasing 5,000 additional adult pheasants in the fall to benefit more hunters and increase the harvest of state propagated pheasants.
5. Identify a "focus area" in the Lake Plains of western New York where most pheasant habitat management resources would be directed to provide the greatest potential to sustain a wild population. Most of our habitat efforts for pheasants have been randomly applied over a very large area. Focusing the efforts of many individuals and organizations in one area, a focus area, appears to have the most promise for maintaining or increasing wild pheasant populations.
Other proposed changes include reducing the size of the cocks only hunting area to reflect a shrinking range where wild pheasants still breed; establishing one or more hunting areas for people with disabilities; requiring the release of Day-Old Pheasant Chick Program birds by December 1st; and releasing at least 10% of our adult pheasant production for the Youth Pheasant Hunt weekends. The draft plan contains a complete list of goals, objectives and actions proposed to manage pheasants through 2020. To save staff time and avoid duplication in updating the pheasant plan, the new plan does not include a lot of background information about pheasants. If desired, much more detailed information can be found in the previous pheasant plan available by request from DEC regional offices.
Section I: Wild Pheasant Management
Goal 1: Maintain a wild pheasant population in the Lake Plains of western New York, through sound habitat improvement practices and regulations, within land use constraints.
Objective 1.1. Review classification of pheasant hunting areas and continue cock-only harvest regulations in Wildlife Management Units that support sustainable numbers of wild pheasants.
Much of our landscape no longer has the potential to produce wild pheasants. Pheasants are typically a product of agricultural lands that consist of small grains, fallow fields and wetland areas that provide winter cover. The quantity of land in small grain agriculture is greatly diminished since the early 1900s and the state is now mostly forested. Periodic review and update of pheasant hunting areas enables the Department to better manage for wild and propagated pheasant hunting opportunities.
Action 1.1.1. Based on review of recent land cover data, the Breeding Bird Atlas, Grassland Focus Areas, and other current information on pheasant distribution and abundance, revise cock-only hunting regulations as shown in Figure 1 (see below).
Objective 1.2. Monitor wild pheasant population trends in the Lake Plains of western New York.
Pheasant population data collected annually provides a historical record; is valuable for documenting long-term trends; can be a predictor of fall hunting success; can be used to set pheasant hunting regulations; and is useful for evaluating response to habitat or land use changes. Pheasants have also been termed an "indicator species," a species that may reflect the health and status of other agricultural and grassland wildlife.
Action 1.2.1. Annually conduct the Spring and Summer Farmer Pheasant Surveys (see Figure 2 below) begun in 1945. By 2013, evaluate the merits of continuing or revising the survey to provide the desired information.
Objective 1.3. Identify a focus area in the Lake Plains of western New York to concentrate habitat management efforts for wild pheasants and monitor the population response.
A number of organizations and individuals have an interest in pheasants and other grassland birds. Efforts to improve habitat have been scattered across our best pheasant range. Developing a focus area to concentrate management efforts would best utilize available resources and determine if increasing the wild pheasant populations was possible under current biological, social, and fiscal conditions. Pooling resources, sharing information, and concentrating efforts is a more realistic approach to sustaining a wild pheasant population in New York.
Action 1.3.1. Using agricultural statistics, land use data, current information on pheasant distribution and abundance, and stakeholder input, select a 10,000 acre or larger focus area in the Lake Plains (cocks-only hunting area) with the greatest potential to increase wild pheasant numbers.
Action 1.3.2. Work with willing landowners, wildlife managers, farm program agencies (e.g., Natural Resources Conservation Service), private conservation organizations (e.g., Pheasants Forever, Audubon) and others to direct all possible resources to improve habitat for wild pheasants in the focus area for ten years.
Action 1.3.3. Develop guidelines for creation and enhancement of pheasant habitat and provide technical guidance (e.g., planting mixtures, mowing schedules) and demonstration areas to promote interest among landowners and other potential partners to manage habitat for wild pheasants within the focus area.
Action 1.3.4. Maintain current information on habitat management efforts within the focus area, monitor the pheasant population response to habitat improvements, and prepare an evaluation of all efforts initiated in the focus area by 2019.
Action 1.3.5. Through 2020, provide at least $10,000 annually for continuation of the Grasslands for Wildlife Program within the focus area. The program provides cool and warm season grass seed to landowners that agree to plant and maintain fallow grasslands for pheasants and other grassland wildlife. By 2011, prepare an evaluation of the Grasslands for Wildlife Program 1999-2009.
Objective 1.4. Provide technical assistance for the development of federal agricultural programs that may significantly affect pheasant populations.
History has shown that pheasant populations across the United States have fluctuated based on federal agricultural programs. Programs most beneficial to pheasants are those that set aside large tracts of fallow grasslands in long-term contracts, such as the Conservation Reserve Program. State wildlife agencies are often in advisory roles during farm program development and have the opportunity to suggest rules and guidelines to positively influence pheasants and other wildlife.
Action 1.4.1. Communicate directly with agencies responsible for the development of federal agricultural programs and with DEC members on the Natural Resources Conservation Service State Technical Committee.
Objective 1.5. Participate on teams or working groups interested in pheasants and other grassland bird species.
Quite often organizations share many of the same interests in wildlife and would benefit from collaborative efforts to meet desired goals and objectives. An example might be Audubon and Pheasants Forever both sharing an interest in grassland management for song birds and ring-necked pheasants. Pooling of resources and sharing of information can enhance overall efforts and develop beneficial partnerships.
Action 1.5.1. Identify groups interested in pheasants and grassland birds and determine if interest exists to meet, share information, and collaborate on projects.
Section II: Artificially Propagated Pheasants
Goal 2: Provide artificially propagated pheasants to increase recreational hunting opportunities and promote participation in shooting sports throughout New York State.
Reynolds Game Farm Propagation Facility
Objective 2.1. Maintain and administer the Reynolds Game Farm facility to meet pheasant production objectives.
The game farm facility is located on 166 acres and consists of a complex of buildings used for pheasant brooding, incubation, hatching, storage, and employee office space. Approximately 30 acres of land is used to raise pheasants to maturity in outdoor covered pens. Coordination of game farm maintenance and pheasant propagation programs assures program delivery to stakeholders.
Action 2.1.1. Develop and implement a ten-year plan of Game Farm capital, vehicle, and equipment needs.
Action 2.1.2. Adequately staff and fund the game farm to meet program objectives.
Action 2.1.3. Research methods to reduce the costs and improve efficiency of game farm pheasant production and distribution, and implement changes.
Adult Pheasants
Objective 2.2. Hatch, raise, and distribute adult (18 weeks or older) pheasants for the Adult Pheasant Release Program.
Adult pheasants raised and released for special hunts,Youth Pheasant Hunt Weekends, and regular pheasant hunting seasons provide the greatest recreational return in terms of birds observed and hunter harvest rates. DEC releases adult pheasants on more than 100 release sites open to public hunting prior to and during the regular pheasant hunting season. Numbers of birds distributed to each DEC region are based generally on the availability of suitable release sites and pheasant hunter numbers.
Action 2.2.1. Provide at least 25,000 adult pheasants for fall stocking and distribute among DEC regions. Increase adult pheasant production to 30,000 birds in 2011 (See Action 2.3.2.).
Action 2.2.2. Release at least 10 percent of the adult pheasants for youth pheasant hunt weekends at selected locations.
Action 2.2.3. Provide at least 1,600 additional adult pheasants for special hunts sponsored by other groups such as Conservation Leaders for Tomorrow, and including hunts for women, novices, people with disabilities, and junior hunters.
Young Pheasants
Objective 2.3. Hatch, raise, and distribute young (7-10 weeks old) pheasants for the Cooperative Young Pheasant Release Program through 2010. The program will be discontinued thereafter.
The Cooperative Young Pheasant Release Program (YPRP) was created in 1992 to increase involvement of landowners and sportsmen in New York's pheasant management program. It is intended to provide a more traditional hunting experience for wilder birds and help secure thousands of acres of land for public hunting. It is well documented that young pheasants released in the summer are harvested at very low rates during the fall pheasant hunting season due to a number of factors including: birds released in the summer have a long time to disperse off release sites; mortality rates are high as opposed to birds released just prior to and during the pheasant hunting season; and few hunters pursue them. Although the YPRP is very popular with participants, it is apparent that many more pheasant hunters would benefit if the Department raised and released adult pheasants instead of young pheasants. Observations and comments from staff, sportsmen, and cooperators lead us to believe that pheasant hunters would be better served by eliminating the YPRP. Cooperators may choose to participate in the Department's Day-old Pheasant Chick Program as an alternative.
Action 2.3.1. Provide up to 15,000 young pheasants for distribution during the summer through 2010.
Action 2.3.2. Eliminate the YPRP in 2011 and raise 5,000 adult pheasants instead. The number of adult pheasants stocked in the fall will therefore increase from 25,000 to 30,000 birds.
Day-old Chicks
Objective 2.4. Hatch and distribute day-old pheasant chicks for the Cooperative Day-old Pheasant Chick Program.
The Cooperative Day-old Pheasant Chick Program began in 1910. Cooperators receive day-old chicks, provide the proper facilities to care for them, and incur all costs to raise and release the birds. The program provides educational opportunities, especially for 4-H youth, in all aspects of game bird husbandry and allows hunters to increase their pheasant hunting opportunities.
Action 2.4.1. Provide a minimum of 60,000 day-old pheasant chicks per year to selected cooperators to be raised and released by December 1st.
Access and Harvest Opportunity
Objective 2.5. Improve access to and harvest opportunity for all propagated pheasants released by the Department, program cooperators, and others.
The primary purpose of DEC's pheasant propagation program is to provide recreational pheasant hunting opportunity across the state. Hunter satisfaction is most often related to seeing and harvesting pheasants. Extending the hunting season and allowing the take of either-sex birds where wild populations no longer exist provides some additional opportunity. The Department should also promote pheasant hunting as a stepping stone to other small game hunting opportunities.
Action 2.5.1. Allow the harvest of cock and hen pheasants and extend season dates in Wildlife Management Units that have no sustainable wild pheasant populations (Figure 1).
Action 2.5.2. Improve habitat on DEC pheasant release sites to hold birds better, increase harvest, and increase hunter satisfaction.
Action 2.5.3. Establish minimum release site criteria and release standards for pheasants propagated by DEC and program cooperators.
Action 2.5.4. Provide accurate and timely information to help hunters know generally when and where they can hunt pheasants propagated by DEC and program cooperators.
Action 2.5.5. Establish pheasant hunting or multiple use areas accessible to people with disabilities.
Action 2.5.6. Evaluate current mowing practices on Wildlife Management Areas and other state lands and develop mowing standards to best benefit wild pheasants, pheasants released for hunting, and other grassland wildlife.
Section III: Information and Education
Goal 3: Expand the use of the DEC website to inform and educate the public about wild and propagated pheasants and their management in New York.
Objective 3.1 Achieve an informed public with realistic expectations for wild pheasant management by 2015.
The wild ring-necked pheasant population declined in the early 1970s and has remained at all-time lows for a variety of reasons. It's important that the public understand why we don't have high pheasant populations in New York, including a realistic prognosis for declining pheasant populations in the future.
Action 3.1.1. Update the pamphlet, Ring-necked Pheasants in New York, to reflect the current status of wild pheasants in New York.
Action 3.1.2. Develop and disseminate other informational materials via DEC publications and website to answer specific questions about wild pheasants in New York.
Objective 3.2. Develop and distribute technical information about pheasant propagation programs in New York.
It is important that we continue to provide current and factual information about the purposes and benefits of DEC's pheasant propagation programs. The public hunts state-reared and released pheasants and participates in cooperative rearing and release programs. People desire information about pheasants as demonstrated by the large volume of requests the Department receives from the DEC website and by phone at the state game farm. Understanding how to raise and release pheasants and understanding the role of pheasant propagation are important to the overall success of the programs.
Action 3.2.1. Annually update the Pheasant Propagation Program Overview on the DEC website.
Action 3.2.2. Maintain current informational materials related to the Department's cooperator programs, including application materials, release site criteria, and program expectations and requirements.
Objective 3.3. Provide technical information for landowners interested in improving habitat for wild or propagated pheasants, with emphasis on programs and procedures applicable to the focus area in western New York.
Many landowners request information about improving habitat for pheasants and other wildlife. The Department has a unique opportunity to assist landowners by providing up-to-date literature on establishing and maintaining pheasant habitat. Collaborating with other wildlife and agricultural professionals will be helpful. The Department can also establish planting demonstrations so that landowners can observe techniques up close.
Action 3.3.1. Update DEC's Landowner's Manual for Ring-necked Pheasant Habitat Improvement.
Action 3.3.2. Develop pheasant habitat demonstrations at the DEC Reynolds Game Farm and/or a location in the western New York focus area to show different mixes of grasses, forbs, and food plots to increase landowner participation and success.
Section IV: Monitoring and Evaluation
Goal 4: Ensure successful implementation of this pheasant plan and identify areas for improvement or modification.
Objective 4.1. Evaluate progress on implementation of the actions prescribed in this plan.
Preparing a plan to manage a species is no small undertaking. Preparing an annual summary of progress and accomplishments relative to the plan activities is useful for the Department and for the public and helps to maintain focus on program goals and objectives. It provides a level of accountability.
Action 4.1.1. Annually prepare a report summarizing pheasant plan activities completed and make that information available to the public via the DEC website.
Objective 4.2. Maintain current estimates of the number of pheasant hunters and the number of pheasants harvested in major regions of New York.
A primary goal of this plan is to meet public demand for pheasant hunting opportunity, so measuring that demand is important. Periodically estimating the number of pheasant hunters and pheasants harvested provides long-term data that is helpful for managing pheasants. Knowing how many people hunt pheasants and how many they harvest provides insight into hunting regulations, and socioeconomic values of pheasant hunting.
Action 4.2.1. Use the DEC Small Game Hunter Survey to estimate pheasant hunting participation and harvest, along with other small game hunting activity, in major regions of the state at least bi-annually.
Objective 4.3. Maintain current socioeconomic information for pheasant hunting in New York, including desires for hunting opportunity, support for various program components, and economic contributions of pheasant hunting.
Hunters have many desires, thoughts, and beliefs as they relate to small game hunting. Surveying small game hunters to find out what they think about current regulations and opportunities may help us to better manage our small game. Surveys can also be a tool for DEC staff to ask specific questions they have about certain aspects of pheasant management in New York. It is useful to determine how pheasant hunting activities impact the state economy. Understanding the economic value of pheasant hunting can help sportsmen and DEC administrators make informed decisions about pheasant programs and pheasant management.
Action 4.3.1. Use the DEC Small Game Hunter Survey or other special surveys to determine hunter or other stakeholder attitudes, opinions, desires and expenditures related to DEC's pheasant management programs.
Figure 1. Proposed pheasant hunting season zone regulations map.
Figure 2. New York State Farmer Pheasant Inventory summer broods per observer index for New York's Lake Plain Ecozone, 1945 to present.
