Environment DEC
From the October 2003 issue
Pheasants Released for 2003 Hunting Season
DEC is releasing 25,000 adult pheasants on lands open to public hunting for the fall pheasant hunting season.
The season begins October 1, 2003 in northern and eastern parts of New York; October 20, 2003 in central and western parts, and November 1, 2003 on Long Island. Hunters who plan to use private lands should ask for landowner permission. Hunters are also encouraged to hunt with a trained bird dog to improve their chances.
The pheasants were raised at DEC's Reynold's Game Farm in Ithaca, Tompkins County. Most are released in state wildlife management and cooperative hunting areas, before and during the fall hunting season. All release sites provided by state-funded programs are open to public hunting.
Two Pheasant Programs
Two cooperative programs, the Day-old Pheasant Chick Program and the Young Pheasant Release Program increase opportunities for hunters. Birds from these programs are released before the season opens and disperse widely, challenging experienced hunters.
The Day-old Pheasant Chick Program, developed in the early 1900s, provides day-old chicks to cooperating 4-H groups and sportsmen and women. Applicants receive chicks in May and June and incur all costs of rearing the birds, including feed, water, utilities and facility construction. This year, more than 67,000 pheasant chicks were distributed statewide.
The Young Pheasant Release Program was developed in 1992 with help from organized hunters. Pheasants five to eight 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 releases, allowing the birds to become acclimated to their new surroundings. About 14,400 young pheasants were released at 360 sites this year.
If you are interested in raising and releasing pheasants to expand hunting opportunities next year, contact the Reynolds Game Farm at (607) 273-2768.
Please be sure to review New York State's pheasant hunting regulations before heading afield during this fall's pheasant hunting season.
