Dead Ducks: DEC Announces Release of Pheasants for Hunting Season

Pheasant chick

Pheasant

Approximately 30,000 adult pheasants will be released on lands open to public hunting for the upcoming fall pheasant hunting season, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announced last week. The pheasant hunting season begins on October 18 in western New York. In Niagara and Erie county the season ends on December 31. In the southern tier the season extends until Feb. 28.

The pheasants, raised by volunteers from one day old chicks, once released will get their chance to survive in the wild. It is estimated that many - perhaps half - will not be killed - at least this year - by hunters.

All release sites for pheasants provided by state-funded programs are open to public hunting. See Pheasant Hunting: Pheasant Hunting Information - NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation
( http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/8363.html)

Pheasant (after) Pheasant (final)