Tuesday, February 9, 2021

DEC seeks applicants for annual pheasant release program

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has announced that applications for the DEC’s cooperative Day-Old Pheasant Chick Program are now available until March 25. This program, provided through the DEC’s partnership with hunters, 4-H youth, and interested landowners. enables people to raise and release pheasants in order to enhance the state’s fall hunting opportunities.

The program began in the early 1900’s, when the State Conservation Department, the precursor of the DEC, gave out pheasant eggs and pheasant chicks to farmers and the rural youth. This tradition extends into modern times, and day old chicks are available for free to applicants that can provide a brooding facility, a covered outdoor rearing pen, and an adequate release site. Approved applicants will receive the chicks in April, May, or June.

The DEC distributed over 31,500 pheasant chicks to applicants over the course of 2020. Applications must be filed with a DEC regional wildlife manager by March 25 (contact information below). A “Pheasant Rearing Guide” and applications are available on the DEC website. For questions about the program or eligibility, email wildlife@dec.ny.gov or call 607-273-2768.

Below is the contact information for your regional wildlife manager:.

Region 1 – Nassau and Suffolk counties:

SUNY at Stony Brook

50 Circle Road

Stony Brook, NY 11790

(631) 444-0310

Region 3 – Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan, Ulster, and Westchester counties:

21 South Putt Corners Rd.

New Paltz, NY 12561

(845) 256-3098

Region 4 – Albany, Columbia, Delaware, Greene, Montgomery, Otsego, Rensselaer, Schenectady, and Schoharie counties:

65561 State Hwy 10, Suite 1

Stamford, NY 12167

(607) 652-7367

Region 5 – Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Fulton, Hamilton, Saratoga, Warren, and Washington counties:

1115 Route 86, PO Box 296

Ray Brook, NY 12977

(518) 897-1291

Region 6 – Herkimer, Jefferson, Lewis, Oneida, and St. Lawrence counties:

317 Washington Street

Watertown, NY 13601

315-785-2263

Region 7 – Broome, Cayuga, Chenango, Cortland, Madison, Onondaga, Oswego, Tioga, and Tompkins counties:

1285 Fisher Ave.

Cortland, NY 13045

(607) 753-3095 x 247

Region 8 – Chemung, Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Orleans, Schuyler, Seneca, Steuben, Wayne, and Yates counties:

6274 East Avon-Lima Rd.

Avon, NY 14414

(585) 226-5380

Region 9 – Allegany, Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, Erie, Niagara, and Wyoming counties:

182 East Union, Suite 3

Allegany, NY 14706-1328

(716) 372-0645

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Community news stories come from press releases and other notices from organizations, businesses, state agencies and other groups. Submit your contributions to Almanack Editor Melissa Hart at editor@adirondackalmanack.com.




8 Responses

  1. Joy Keithline says:

    When will such cruel practices cone to an end?
    I refer to the raising of chick pheasants in early spring,
    for release and slaughter in the fall.

    It harkens back to darker times. It is hoped such practices
    in this time of mass extinctions and ever increasing loss of
    habitat will cone to a screeching halt. And consider
    the Pheasant’s participation in this macabre cycle.

    Not with my tax dollars please!

    • Dana says:

      Don’t forget winter starvation that waits for the fall survivors.

      • Eric says:

        Releasing pheasants in NY is wa waste of time , especially considering they are basically farm raised . Easy pickins for fox and coyotes.

    • William says:

      If your child or grandchild caught a stocked trout from the St Regis river would you feel the same way? It is exactly the same concept. Reality is each ADK’rs values are different. I respect your choice to not participate. However, given the power, you would take my choice away based on your values, that is sad.

    • joeadirondack says:

      So Joy, you must be a vegetarian or a vegan? Don’t wear leather shoes or a belt? Carry a purse or wallet? Eat at a restaurant? Drive a car? If you answered yes to any or these questions don’t you dare judge anyone on how they get there dinner.

  2. Jeep says:

    Lol! Anyone ever see a chicken processing plant!!

    • Bill Ott says:

      I have heard it said that one should hive to kill what one eats, at least once in a lifetime.

  3. JT says:

    Several years ago, I saw one get hit by another driver on the highway, They did not stop so I made a U turn and retrieved it. Pheasant is delicious.
    Some folks I know got into the rearing program but the business did not take off. I heard they just ended up eating them.
    Overall, I think the program is a waste of money, could be better used in other ways.

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