BUFFALO, N.Y. — The New York State DEC has announced that the regular hunting season for pheasants will being on Saturday, October 19 in WNY.
Approximately 4,750 adult ring-necked pheasants will be released by the DEC on the Region 9 lands. Those lands are open to the public for hunting this fall season.
There will be a special youth-only pheasant hunting weekend in WNY on October 12 - 13. That weekend 1,250 adult ring-necked pheasants will be released for the public youth hunting opportunity also at the Region 9 lands.
According to the DEC "The hunt is scheduled one week prior to the regular pheasant hunting season and provides junior hunters (ages 12-15 years old) an opportunity to hunt pheasants with a licensed adult companion at a time when fewer hunters are afield. Junior hunters must be accompanied by a licensed adult hunter during the youth pheasant hunt. Accompanying adults may not possess a firearm or take a pheasant during this special season. During the two-day youth hunt, junior hunters are allowed to take two birds per day, as allowed during the regular season. All other pheasant hunting regulations remain in effect."
“With an increase in stocked pheasants and locations this year, young hunters will have additional opportunities to take what they have learned from the youth hunt weekend and apply it throughout the regular season,” DEC Region 9 Director Julie Barrett-O’Neill said. “We look forward to a successful hunting season for all participants.”
Stocked pheasants are supplied by the DEC's Reynolds Game Farm in Ithaca.
Pheasant hunting is prohibited each Friday at the Carlton Hill Multiple Use Area. It is also prohibited on Thursday's at Zoar Valley, Clear Lake Wildlife Management Area, and Hanging Bog during the months of October and November.
"Hunters are reminded to ask permission from private landowners before hunting on their lands. Many of these release sites are available for hunting because of the cooperation of private landowners. Good hunter and landowner relations are critical to ensure these areas remain open to hunting in future years." the DEC said in a release.
To learn more visit dec.ny.gov/things-to-do/hunting
