The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has announced that approximately 25,000 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 in northern and eastern portions of New York; October 15 in central and western portions; and November 1 on Long Island.

The pheasants were raised at DEC's Reynolds Game Farm in Ithaca, Tompkins County, which is at full production after a year of renovations and new construction that increased its capacity. The majority of the pheasants will be 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 must be open to public hunting. A list of these sites can be found by visiting the Department's website at: www.dec.state.ny.us

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.

The Day-old 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 hosts incur all costs 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 five to eight weeks old are distributed to cooperating groups and landowners for release at pre-approved sites in June or July. The cooperators provide a release pen and make food available for two weeks following the pheasants' release, allowing the birds to become acclimated to their new surroundings. Approximately 12,520 young pheasants were released on 313 sites this year.

A list of release sites is available from DEC regional wildlife offices. Hunters who plan to use private lands should request permission from the landowner. In addition, 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. Hunters should review the 2001-2002 New York State Hunting and Trapping Regulations Guide for complete regulations and other important information before going afield.