Environment DEC
From the October 2004 issue
DEC Releases Pheasants for Hunting Season
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Erin M. Crotty recently announced that approximately 23,000 adult pheasants will be released on lands open to public hunting for this fall's pheasant hunting season. The pheasant hunting season begins on October 1, 2004 in northern and eastern portions of New York; October 18, 2004 in central and western portions, and November 1, 2004 on Long Island.
"DEC's pheasant programs enhance hunting opportunities across the state and we expect another great year of pheasant hunting for sportsmen and sportswomen," Commissioner Crotty said. "I strongly encourage pheasant hunters to review hunting regulations and safety guidelines before any hunting trip to ensure a safe and productive season."
In June 1999, DEC officially adopted a ten-year management plan for ring-necked pheasants in New York State. The plan includes activities for wild pheasant management to ensure healthy populations of pheasants and to meet public desire for pheasant conservation, education, and hunting opportunities.
Raising Pheasants for Release
Pheasants are raised at DEC's Reynolds Game Farm in Ithaca. The majority of them will be released at state wildlife management and cooperative hunting areas prior to and during the fall hunting season. All release sites for pheasants provided by state-funded programs are open to public hunting.
Two popular cooperative pheasant rearing and release programs, the Day-old Pheasant Chick Program and the Young Pheasant Release Program, provide additional opportunities for pheasant hunters. Birds from these programs are released before the season opens and dispersed widely, presenting a greater challenge for experienced hunters.
Day-Old Pheasant Chick Program
DEC and 4-H clubs throughout
the state are cooperating to
raise pheasant chicks for release
into the wild
The Day-old Pheasant Chick Program, developed in the early 1900s, provides day-old pheasant chicks to cooperating 4-H groups and sportsmen and sportswomen. The chicks are distributed to applicants in May and June and cooperators incur all costs associated with rearing the birds, including feed, water, utilities and facility construction. This year, more than 64 thousand pheasant chicks were distributed statewide.
Young Pheasant Release Program
The Young Pheasant Release Program was developed in 1992 with assistance from organized hunters. Pheasants seven to ten weeks old are distributed to cooperating groups and landowners for release at pre-approved sites from June through August. The cooperators provide a release pen and make food and water available for two weeks following the pheasants' release, allowing the birds to become acclimated to their new surroundings. Nearly 16 thousand young pheasants were released on 397 sites this year. A list of these sites is available from DEC regional wildlife offices. Anyone interested in raising and releasing pheasants to expand next year's hunting opportunities should contact the Reynolds Game Farm at (607) 273-2768.
Suggestions for Hunters
Boundaries for pheasant hunting zones conform to wildlife management units used for management of other upland wildlife. Hunters should review the 2004-2005 New York State Hunting and Trapping Regulations Guide for complete regulations and other important information before going afield.
Hunters who plan to use private lands should first get permission from landowners. In addition, hunters also are encouraged to hunt with trained bird dogs to improve their chances of finding pheasants and locating downed game.
