News from New York State Department of Environmental Conservation

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DEC Announces Release of Pheasants for 2007 Hunting Season

Pheasant Raising Programs Bolster Hunting Opportunities

ALBANY, NY (09/14/2007; 1209)(readMedia)-- Approximately 25,000 adult pheasants will be released on lands open to public hunting for this Fall’s pheasant hunting season, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Pete Grannis today announced. The pheasant hunting season begins on October 1, 2007, in northern and eastern portions of New York; October 20, 2007, in central and western portions; and November 1, 2007, on Long Island.

“DEC’s pheasant programs enhance hunting opportunities across the State and we expect another great year of pheasant hunting for all sportsmen and sportswomen. I strongly encourage pheasant hunters to review hunting regulations and safety guidelines before any hunting trip to ensure a safe and productive season,” said Commissioner Grannis.

New in 2007, junior hunters (12-15 years old) have the opportunity to hunt pheasants the weekend prior to the regular pheasant hunting season. In northern and eastern New York, where the season opens October 1, the youth pheasant hunt weekend is September 29-30. In western New York, where the season opens October 20, the youth pheasant hunt weekend is October 13-14. All pheasant rules and regulations remain in effect during the youth hunt. No youth hunt is scheduled for Long Island because the Department does not have legal authority to set pheasant seasons in that area of the state. The new youth pheasant hunt weekends provide junior hunters the opportunity to go afield under less crowded conditions and under the supervision of an experienced adult hunter.

Pheasants are raised at DEC’s Reynolds Game Farm in Ithaca. Most will be released on State wildlife management and cooperative hunting areas prior to and during the fall hunting season. Pheasants will be released on many, but not all, regular stocking locations prior to the youth hunting weekends. 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 Department’s website at: www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/9349.html . Please contact your nearest DEC regional wildlife office for more information on release locations or visit the website above for a list of sites that will also be stocked specifically for the youth pheasant hunt weekend.

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 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 60,000 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 15,000 young pheasants were released on 386 sites this year. A list of these sites is available from DEC regional wildlife offices.

Hunters who plan to use 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.

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 on DEC’s website at: www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/8302.html . In addition to knowing these unit boundary descriptions, hunters should review the 2007-2008 New York State Hunting & Trapping Regulations Guide ( www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/37136.html ) for complete pheasant hunting regulations and other important information before going afield.