Following the loss of the pheasant flock at its Reynolds Game Farm in March due to bird flu, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has announced the Fall pheasant season will proceed as planned.
The DEC says it is acquiring birds from a commercial hatchery to supplement upland bird hunting in New York . The Department releases 30,000 pheasants on public land each year as the state doesn’t have enough sufficient habitat to support self-sustaining wild pheasants.
The birds will head to Reynolds Game Farm until they are ready to be released across the state.
“Pheasant hunting serves as an introduction to hunting for many New York hunters,” said DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos. “DEC was devastated by the loss of the State’s breeder flock this spring and is grateful to be able to offer the pheasant program this fall and beyond.”
The DEC has pheasant hunting rules and regulations as well as an interactive map of stocking locations up on its website.
