Environment DEC
From the October 2005 issue
DEC Announces Pheasant Releases for 2005 Hunting Season
Thousands of pheasants will be
released throughout the state's
public hunting lands
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Acting Commissioner Denise M. Sheehan announced that approximately 26,800 adult pheasants are being released on public hunting lands for this fall's pheasant hunting season. Pheasant hunting season begins on October 1, 2005 in northern and eastern portions of New York; October 15, 2005 in central and western portions, and November 1, 2005 on Long Island.
Saturday Opener
Hunters in central and western New York should take note that the season opens on a Saturday this year, which is a change from the traditional Monday opening day. This change was made when DEC decided to open the big game season in the Southern Zone on a Saturday to provide hunting opportunities when most people have time off from work or school.
"DEC's pheasant programs enhance hunting opportunities across the state and we expect another great year of pheasant hunting for sportsmen and sportswomen," Commissioner Sheehan said. "I strongly encourage pheasant hunters to review hunting regulations and safety guidelines before any hunting trip to ensure a safe and productive season."
The pheasants were raised at DEC's Reynolds Game Farm in Ithaca. The majority of the birds 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 DEC Website.
Two Popular Pheasant 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 and dispersed widely before the season opens, presenting a greater challenge for experienced hunters. Anyone interested in raising and releasing pheasants to expand next year's hunting opportunities should contact 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 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, nearly 62,000 pheasant chicks were distributed statewide.
The Young Pheasant Release Program was developed in 1992 with assistance from 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. Approximately 15,960 young pheasants were released on 399 sites this year. Please use the link below to DEC's regional offices for a list of these sites.
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. See the related links below for a summary of the plan.
Advice to Hunters
Boundaries for pheasant hunting zones conform to wildlife management units used for management of other upland wildlife. Wildlife management unit boundary descriptions can be found by using the appropriate link below. In addition to knowing unit boundary descriptions, hunters should use the link below to review the 2005-2006 New York State Hunting & Trapping Guide for complete regulations and other important information before going afield. Those who plan to hunt on private lands should ask permission from the landowner. Hunters are also encouraged to hunt with a trained bird dog to improve their chances of finding pheasants and locating downed game.
