Environment DEC
From the October 2006 issue
DEC Announces Pheasant Releases for 2006
DEC works to ensure a healthy
population of pheasants, while
providing public opportunities
for hunting
DEC recently announced that approximately 26,400 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, 2006, in northern and eastern portions of New York; October 21, 2006, in central and western portions, and November 1, 2006, on Long Island.
The pheasants that are released are raised at DEC's Reynolds Game Farm in Ithaca. The majority are released on 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. A list of statewide adult pheasant release sites can be found by visiting the 2006 Pheasant Release Sites web page at DEC's website (see "Related Links" below).
Two Popular Release Programs
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 disperse widely, presenting a greater challenge for experienced hunters. Anyone interested in raising and releasing pheasants to expand next year's hunting opportunities should contact the Reynolds Game Farm at 607-273-2768.
The Day-old Pheasant Chick Program, developed in the early 1900s, provides day-old pheasant chicks to cooperating 4-H groups and sportsmen and women. 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, nearly 57,000 pheasant chicks were distributed statewide.
The Young Pheasant Release Program was developed in 1992 with assistance from organized hunters. Pheasants seven to 10 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. Approximately 15,320 young pheasants were released on 383 sites this year. A list of these sites is available from DEC regional wildlife offices.
Ask Permission of Landowners
Hunters who plan to use private lands should ask permission from the landowner. In addition, hunters are encouraged to hunt with a trained bird dog to improve their chances of finding pheasants and locating downed game.
In June 1999, DEC officially adopted a 10-year management plan for ring-necked pheasants in New York. The plan includes activities for wild pheasant management to ensure healthy populations of pheasants and meet public desire for pheasant conservation, education, and hunting opportunities. A summary of the plan can be viewed at the Ring-necked Pheasant web page of DEC's website (see "Related Links" below).
Be Aware of Hunting Boundaries and Regulations
Boundaries of pheasant hunting zones conform to the Wildlife Management Units used for management of other upland wildlife. Wildlife Management Unit boundary descriptions can be found on the Wildlife Management Unit Boundary Descriptions web page of DEC's website (see "Related Links" below). In addition, hunters should review the 2006-2007 New York State Hunting and Trapping Regulations Guide for complete regulations and other important information before going afield.
