2011 Ties for Safest Year in New York Hunting History

The 2011 hunting season tied 2009 for New York State’s safest year of hunting on record based on the number of hunting-related shooting incidents, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation announced today.

“Hunting is a tradition in New York state that continues to be safely enjoyed by many” said DEC Commissioner Joe Martens. “New York has an extremely safety-conscious generation of hunters thanks largely to more than 60 years of dedicated efforts of 3,000 volunteer Sportsman Education Instructors. All first-time hunters are required to attend a comprehensive hunter safety course of a minimum of 10 hours taught by DEC’s highly-trained instructors. Their hard work is paying off.”

In the 2011 hunting seasons, 26 personal injury hunting-related shooting incidents were reported, including four fatalities. All of the fatalities occurred during the regular deer season, one of which was self-inflicted.

The hunter safety courses stress safe practices and ethics, along with information on New York’s game species and their management. All courses are offered free of charge, but students must successfully complete the course and pass the final exam before being eligible to purchase a hunting license.

The number of hunters in New York State is declining, but the hunting incident rate (incidents per 100,000 hunters) is falling at a much faster rate. Since the 1960s, the number of hunters has declined about 20 percent, while the incident rate has declined more than 70 percent. The past five-year average is 5.3 incidents per 100,000 hunters, compared to 19 per 100,000 in the 1960s.

While hunting is safer than ever, accidents do happen and it is important to remember that every hunting-related shooting incident is preventable. Many, if not all of these incidents could have been prevented, if only the shooter or victim had followed the primary rules of hunter safety:

• Treat every firearm as if it were loaded
• Keep your muzzle pointed in a safe direction
• Identify your target and what lies beyond
• Keep finger off the trigger until ready to fire
• Wear hunter orange

For more information, visit the Sportsman Education program section of the DEC website at: http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/7860.html.

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New York DEC Amends Chronic Wasting Disease Regulations in Response to Maryland Discovery

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has revised its Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) regulations to prohibit the importation of certain parts of white-tailed deer taken in the state of Maryland effective immediately, DEC Commissioner Joe Martens announced today.

The first case of CWD in the state of Maryland was confirmed by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources last year. In response, DEC has amended its CWD regulations to prohibit the importation of the following parts of deer taken in Maryland: brain, eyes, spinal cord, tonsils, intestinal tract, spleen or retropharyngeal lymph nodes.

“Hunters who take a deer in Maryland must butcher the animal and remove the prohibited parts before entering New York State,” Commissioner Martens said.  “Most successful hunters will opt to butcher a deer and put the meat in a cooler before traveling back to New York.”

DEC has conducted an extensive surveillance program since CWD was first confirmed in New York State in 2005 and has not discovered any additional cases of CWD since that time.  CWD is a contagious neurological disease affecting deer, elk and moose. It causes a characteristic spongy degeneration of the brains of infected animals resulting in emaciation, abnormal behavior, loss of bodily functions and death

It is not known exactly how CWD is transmitted. The infectious agent, a prion, may be passed from animal to animal through feces, urine or saliva. The minimal incubation period between infection and development of clinical disease appears to be about 16 months. The maximum incubation period is unknown, as is the point at which shedding of the CWD agent begins during the prolonged course of infection.

The movement of infectious material is believed to be one route of transmission. This amendment to the CWD regulations will prohibit the importation of those parts of a deer where the disease is most likely to be found. DEC advises hunters not to consume the meat of any animal that acts abnormal and to exercise precautions when butchering animals, such as using rubber or latex gloves.

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New York DEC Police Ticket Dozens for Deer Poaching

New York, NY – New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) police officers recently concluded a blanket deer taking enforcement detail in the Capital Region and surrounding areas in conjunction with the states of Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont, DEC announced today.Environmental Conservation Officers (ECO) worked in conjunction with their counterparts in neighboring states to set up saturation patrols to target illegal deer shooting with the use of an artificial light, a practice commonly known as deer jacking. Typically, deer jacking occurs in remote rural areas, throughout the night. During this operation, which took place in late October and the first three weeks of November, ECOs worked long hours and often confronted armed individuals.

“The vast majority of hunters pursue and take game legally,”said DEC Law Enforcement Major Tim Duffy. “We work closely with the sporting community to stop individuals from illegally taking game to the detriment of wildlife populations and the legal efforts of honest hunters.” ECOs are out in full force this time of year patrolling, staking out, and observing the lands on which people take deer. They are in uniform and undercover; they are in vehicles and on foot; they are checking licenses and watching over deer decoys.

If you have information regarding illegal hunting activities, please contact the DEC Turn in Poachers & Polluters (TIPP) line at 1-800-847-TIPP (7332)

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New York DEC Reminds Hunters to be Safety Conscious

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today is advising hunters to use safety precautions when enjoying the sport this hunting season which runs until December 4 for the Northern zone and December 11 for the Southern zone.

“New York has more than 3,000 dedicated volunteer sportsman education instructors whose goal is to create an extremely safety-conscious generation of hunters,” said DEC Commissioner Joe Martens. “We want to take this opportunity to remind hunters to be extra vigilant this year and make 2011 one of the safest hunting seasons on record.”

Studies show that individuals wearing hunter orange clothing are seven times less likely to be injured than hunters who do not wear the bright fluorescent color. Over the past 10 years, 15 New York state big game hunters have been mistaken for deer or bear and killed – none wore hunter orange.

Hunters are encouraged to review hunting safety tips at DEC’s website (www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/9186.html) and pay careful attention to basic firearm safety rules that can prevent hunting-related shooting incidents:

• Point your gun in a safe direction.
• Treat every gun as if it were loaded.
• Be sure of your target and beyond.
• Keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot.
• Remember to wear hunter orange.

Hunting accidents generally have been on the decline, continuing a 50-year trend of increasing safety.  Reports indicate that 2008 and 2009 were statistically the two safest years in the history of hunting in New York state. Although the 2010 report showed a minor increase in hunting related shooting incidents from the previous two years, the total incidents reported in 2010 were still well below the average of 66 incidents per year from the 1990s, and 137 incidents per year during the 1960s.  Big game hunting incidents continue to be very low compared to previous decades, despite the increase in rifle zones and the passage of the youth mentoring law in 2008.

The number of hunters is declining, but the hunting incident rate (incidents per 100,000 hunters) is falling much faster than the number of hunters. During the 1960s, the incident rate was 19 incidents per 100,000 hunters. Since 2000, the incident rate is one-third of that, averaging 6.4 incidents per 100,000 hunters.

To put hunter safety into perspective, hunting is considerably safer than such common activities as swimming, riding a bike or driving a car.

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New York DEC Adopts Five-Year Deer Management Plan

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today announced that it has adopted a five-year deer management plan.  The final plan, which has been revised based on public comment on a previously released draft version, is now available at www.dec.ny.gov/animals/7211.html.

“White-tailed deer are an important and valued natural resource for New Yorkers,” Commissioner Joe Martens said.  “DEC’s new deer management plan provides strategic direction for our staff over the next five years and will help us focus our efforts where they can best meet the biological and social demands associated with deer.  This plan emphasizes the importance of hunting for deer management, and we are particularly excited to create new opportunities for young deer hunters,” Martens said.  “We are also cognizant of the significant ecological impacts associated with deer, and we are eager to more fully bring our knowledge of these impacts into the population management process.”

The plan describes six primary goals that encompass the current priorities for deer management and the values and issues expressed by the public:

• Manage deer populations at levels that are appropriate for human and ecological concerns;
• Promote and enhance deer hunting as an important recreational activity, tradition, and population management tool in New York;
• Reduce negative impacts caused by deer;
• Foster public understanding and communication about deer ecology, deer management, economic aspects and recreational opportunities;
• Manage deer to promote healthy and sustainable forests and enhance habitat conservation efforts to benefit deer and other species; and
• Ensure that the necessary resources are available to support sound management of white-tailed deer in New York.

Public comment on the draft deer management plan was carefully reviewed by the Department, and several notable changes were made in the adopted plan, including:

• Changing to a 5-year cycle for evaluating deer population objectives;
• DEC removed the proposal to completely discontinue either-sex and antlerless-only tags;

• DEC is committing to implementing a youth deer hunting opportunity. Details related to timing and structure of a youth hunt have been removed from the plan so as to allow continued discussion to identify the most appropriate option; and
• DEC clarified that a special antlerless-only season for muzzleloader hunters will only occur as the 3^rd phase of a multi-phase process, and only in WMUs where additional doe harvest is needed.

DEC intends to begin implementing strategies of the deer plan immediately.  While many strategies will take several years to develop, DEC expects to begin rulemaking to implement a number of hunting-related aspects of this plan prior to the 2012-13 hunting seasons, including:

• Establishing a youth deer hunt;
• Starting the Southern Zone bow season October 1st;
• Allowing DMPs to be used during the bow and early muzzleloader season in the Northern Zone; and
• Expanding mandatory antler restrictions into 7 WMUs in southeastern New York.

DEC strives to provide a deer management program that balances diverse public interests and values with the biological needs and ecological relationships of deer, for the benefit of New York’s white-tailed deer herd and the people of New York.

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NY DEC Announces Early Bow Season in the Southern Zone and Early Muzzleloader Season in the Northern Zone to Oct. 15

The 2011-2012 Southern Zone bowhunting season and Northern Zone muzzleloader season for deer and bear begin at sunrise on Saturday, October 15.  The Southern Zone includes most of upstate New York outside of the Northern Zone, except for Westchester County. The Northern Zone, generally includes the Adirondacks, the Tug Hill Plateau, the eastern Lake Ontario plain, and the Champlain and St. Lawrence valleys.

“The early seasons are a great time to be in the woods,” said Commissioner Joe Martens.  “With recent legislation now allowing 12-13 year olds to purchase a Junior Bowhunting license, we encourage adult hunters to share their passion, experience, and time with a junior hunter this year.”

Hunters are reminded of several other changes for the upcoming hunting seasons:

• Mandatory antler restrictions are in effect during bow and gun hunting seasons this year in a portion of Wildlife Management Unit (WMU) 3A in the Catskills (part of Delaware, Sullivan and Ulster counties).  The new law, established by the New York State Legislature, covers the portion of WMU 3A that lies south and west of State Route 28 and requires that bucks taken in this part of WMU 3A have at least one antler with 3 or more points that are at least 1 inch long.  The law applies to all public and private lands and all hunting seasons in the affected portion of WMU 3A.  Only hunters under the age of 17 are exempt and they may take any antlered deer with at least one antler measuring three or more inches in length.  See www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/27663.html for more information about antler restrictions in New York.

• Bear hunting has been expanded in eastern New York, from Westchester to Washington County, and is open during the same time periods as deer hunting.  For specific bear hunting areas and season dates, visit www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/28605.html#Black.

• Crossbows may NOT be used during the early bowhunting or early muzzleloading seasons, but crossbows may be used during the regular firearms and late muzzleloader seasons.  See Crossbow Hunting at www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/68802.html for more information and the Certificate of Qualification.

DEC encourages bowhunters to participate in the Bowhunter Sighting Log www.dec.ny.gov/animals/7193.html.  The Bowhunter Sighting Log involves keeping a diary of your bowhunting activity and the number of animals seen.  These data help DEC track deer and other wildlife populations.  To participate, e-mail DEC at fwwildlf@gw.dec.state.ny.us (specify Bowhunter Sighting Log in the subject line) and provide name, address, hunter ID (back tag number), a list of the counties where you hunt, and whether or not you have participated in New York’s bowhunter log in any previous year.

Additional information that may be of interest for hunters includes:

• 2011 Deer Hunting Season Forecasts by WMU www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/37304.html.
• Hunting the Black Bear in New York (PDF booklet) www.dec.ny.gov/docs/wildlife_pdf/bbhunting10.PDF.
• Deer and Bear Harvest Reports www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/42232.html.
• Subscribe to New York Big Game email list at http://lists.dec.state.ny.us/mailman/listinfo/nybiggame to periodically receive information about deer and bear management in New York, and/or sign up for Field Notes, an email newsletter of the DEC Division of Fish, Wildlife, and Marine Resources: www.dec.ny.gov/about/63801.html.

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Hunters Needed to Help Monitor Small Game Species in New York

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Joe Martens today encouraged hunters to participate in two surveys for popular game species during this fall’s hunting seasons.

“Each fall New York’s dedicated small game hunters spend thousands of hours afield exploring the state’s landscapes in pursuit of game,” said Commissioner Martens. “They’re uniquely positioned to assist DEC’s wildlife managers by providing data on changing wildlife populations and habitats. Citizen science efforts such as these are a great way for hunters to partner with DEC while enjoying their hunting heritage.”

New England Cottontail Survey – The only native cottontail east of the Hudson River in New York is the New England cottontail; however, its populations are poorly understood. New England cottontails look nearly identical to Eastern cottontails and are only reliably identified by genetic testing or examining skull characteristics.

Those that hunt rabbits in Rensselaer, Columbia, Dutchess, Putnam, or Westchester counties, can submit the heads of rabbits harvested to help determine the distribution of New England cottontails. Those interested in participating, or for more information, please contact DEC by phone at 518-402-8870 or by e-mail at fwwildlf@gw.dec.state.ny.us (please type “NE Cottontail” in the subject line).

Participating hunters will receive instructions and a postage-paid envelope they can use to submit skulls. Hunters will be asked to provide the location and description of the habitat where each rabbit was taken. Results of these efforts will be available after the close of the hunting season.

Ruffed Grouse and American Woodcock Hunting Log – Ruffed grouse and American woodcock are widely distributed across New York State. These species prefer habitats in an early stage of succession such as young forests, shrublands, and old orchards and fields. As New York’s forests grow older, these preferred habitats are waning, resulting in a decline in grouse and woodcock numbers since the 1960s.

This survey asks hunters to record their daily grouse and woodcock hunting activities in a “hunting log”, including the number of grouse and woodcock flushed and the number of hours hunted. Grouse and woodcock share many of the same habitats, so the information provided will help monitor populations of both of these great game birds as habitats change both locally and on a landscape scale.

Those interested in participating can download a hunting log from the DEC website. Detailed instructions can be found with the form. Survey forms can also be obtained by calling (518) 402-8886 or by e-mailing fwwildlf@gw.dec.state.ny.us (please type “Grouse Log” in the subject line).

Additional information that can be found on the DEC website includes:

• New England Cottontail Survey: http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/67017.html
• Grouse and Woodcock Hunting Log: http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/9351.html
• Citizen Science Initiatives: http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/1155.html

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New York DEC Announces 2011-2012 Waterfowl Season Dates

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Joe Martens today announced that information about the upcoming waterfowl hunting seasons, including season dates and updated regulations, is now available on the DEC website at  http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/28503.html.

This year’s season selections were developed by a team of DEC biologists from around the state, with input from waterfowl hunters, including hunter task forces. DEC has looked to task forces to help select waterfowl hunting season dates for more than a decade.

“New York’s unique configuration of waterfowl management zones provides hunters with open seasons and hunting opportunities in a broad range of areas in the state from September to April,” said Commissioner Martens.

Duck Season Outlook:

Most duck populations in New York are doing well this year due to excellent habitat conditions across the continent for waterfowl nesting and brood-rearing.  However, breeding populations of eastern mallards and wood ducks – the two most commonly harvested ducks in New York – were lower this spring than in 2009, and Atlantic Flyway biologists are concerned about a long-term decline in eastern mallards that became more apparent in recent years.  Sixty-day duck seasons were approved by federal and state authorities for another year, but this situation will be closely monitored in the future. Bag limits for all duck species will be the same as in 2010-11 and can be seen at http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/28888.html.

Goose Season Outlook:

September Canada goose seasons have just ended, but hunters can look forward to another 45 days or more (depending on area) to pursue these popular game birds later this fall and winter.  Resident geese remain abundant in many areas of the state, and migratory populations that pass through New York were estimated to be higher last spring.  Hunters are reminded that Canada goose seasons are set for different geographic areas of the state than other waterfowl seasons; therefore maps should be closely reviewed.

A special spring season for snow geese will continue for the fourth year in all of upstate New York.  These birds have become so abundant that they are causing harm to wetland habitats throughout their range. Special spring seasons have been established in many eastern states and provinces to increase hunter harvest and help reduce this population. The daily limit for snow geese is 25 per day.

Zone Boundary Change in Eastern New York

A minor boundary change was made this year for waterfowl hunting zones in eastern New York.  The affected area lies mostly in Washington and Saratoga counties, and a very small portion of Warren County.  The new boundary that divides the Northeastern and Southeastern zones extends from Route 28 in Saratoga County, east along Route 29 to Route 22 in Greenwich (Washington County), then north along Route 22 to Route 153, then east along Route 153 to the Vermont line.  Waterfowl hunters in this area should be sure to check the new boundaries before going afield.  All other zone boundaries are unchanged.

Federal Duck Stamp and State Migratory Bird Harvest Information Program:

Hunters 16 or older must have a 2011 federal duck stamp to hunt during any of the 2011-2012 seasons.  Federal duck stamps cost $15 and are available at most post offices and some sporting goods stores.  They are also available by calling toll-free 1-800-852-4897 or at www.duckstamp.com.  Stamps must be signed across the face by the hunter before they become valid, but they do not have to be attached to the hunting license.

All migratory game bird (waterfowl, woodcock, snipe, rails and gallinules) hunters, including junior hunters (age 12-15), must register with New York’s Migratory Bird Harvest Information Program (HIP) prior to hunting in any of the 2011-2012 seasons. Hunters must register every year and for each state in which they plan to hunt migratory game birds, and also must carry proof of compliance whenever going afield. To register in HIP, call toll-free 1-888-427-5447 (1-888-4 ASK HIP) or visit www.NY-HIP.com.

Hunting Safety:

Commissioner Martens reminded hunters to follow simple safety guidelines and to use good judgment when choosing a time and place to hunt. Being considerate of other people enjoying the outdoors or who live nearby can help avoid potential conflicts and ensure a safe and enjoyable season. As coastal areas become more populated, new landowners unfamiliar with the safety, ethics and traditions of waterfowl hunting sometimes respond by seeking to limit hunter access to popular waterfowl hunting areas. Hunters should be considerate and try to minimize disturbance of local residents whenever possible.

Waterfowl Consumption Advisory

The New York State Department of Health (DOH) periodically evaluates data on chemicals in wild waterfowl to ensure that hunter harvested birds can be eaten without concerns about adverse effects on human health. The current advisory states that “Mergansers are the most heavily contaminated waterfowl species and should not be eaten.  Eat no more than two meals per month of other wild waterfowl; you should skin them and remove all fat before cooking, and discard stuffing after cooking. Wood ducks and Canada geese are less contaminated than other wild waterfowl species and diving ducks are more contaminated than dabbler ducks.”

In recent years, DEC has worked with DOH and other state and federal agencies to conduct chemical testing of meat from Canada geese captured and removed from urban, suburban and park locations around the state.  This was done primarily to allow that meat to be donated to food pantries and soup kitchens. Based on favorable results this summer, approximately 2,450 pounds of goose meat (nearly 10,000 servings) were made available to needy people.  These findings also affirm that consumption of hunter-harvested geese in accordance with the above guidelines should not be a human health concern.

Recent preliminary data and other studies suggest that waterfowl that reside in the Hudson River between Hudson Falls and Troy may have PCB levels higher than waterfowl from other parts of the state.  Therefore, it is particularly important to strictly follow the DOH advice (e.g., to eat no more than two meals per month and avoid eating fat and skin) for waterfowl taken from the Hudson River between Hudson Falls and Troy.  To help further minimize PCB exposures, you may want to consider harvesting your waterfowl from other locations, particularly during the early season when many of the available birds are likely to be resident waterfowl.  Because PCBs may have a greater effect on young children or the unborn child, it is particularly important for women of childbearing age and children under 15 to minimize their PCB exposures.

For the latest DOH advice on consumption of waterfowl or other game, go to:

www.health.ny.gov/environmental/outdoors/fish/health_advisories/advice_on_eating_game.htm.

For More Information

New York’s 2011-2012 Waterfowl Hunting Seasons and Regulations brochure is available on the DEC website and from most license-issuing agents and DEC regional offices.

For more information about waterfowl hunting in New York, including public hunting areas around the state, go to http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/28175.html or contact any DEC wildlife office. Contact information for all regional offices can be found on the DEC website http://www.dec.ny.gov/about/558.html.

Habitat Stamp:

Commissioner Martens also encouraged all outdoor enthusiasts to consider purchasing a Habitat/Access Stamp, an optional stamp that helps support the DEC’s efforts to conserve habitat and increase public access for fish and wildlife-related recreation. Buying a $5 stamp is a way to help conserve New York’s fabulous wildlife heritage. More information about purchasing a Habitat Stamp is available at http://www.dec.ny.gov/permits/329.html.

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Hunting NY 2011 Best Buck and Story Contest

HuntingNY.com announces the official launch of the 2011 Best Buck and Story Contest (huntingny.com/forums/topic/5961-2011-huntingnycom-best-buck-and-story-contest-info/), a contest devoted to the NY Sportsman and those that hunt in the great state of New York. Prizes include a head mount by an award wining taxidermist Fins to Feathers, a Bushnell trophy camera, Venatic Outdoors Hunting DVD’s, rounds of shooting at Thrill of The Hunting 3D archery range, and numerous other prizes such as Hunting and Bow Hunting magazine subscriptions, t-shirts, and hats. HuntingNY.com strives to support he NY outdoorman and increasing the awareness and sport of hunting in one of the best places to hunt in the world, New York.

The Hunting NY website provides information and resources on all aspects of hunting in the state, including but not limited to hunting deer, bear, turkey, warerfowl, small game, big game, and predator hunting in addition to dedicating sections to camping, ATV’s, snowmobiles, as well as QDM, land management and food plots. The site provides numerous ways that visitors can interact with each other and give back to help the New York hunting community.

Hunting NY was established by hunters for hunters, and has grown to be the number one website in New York for all hunting and outdoor related news and discussions. We are committed to the NY sportsman, and strive to provide a resource where existing and new hunters can learn, share, and interact with other sportsman around the state.

For more information on Hunting NY, please visit http://HuntingNY.com.

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New York DEC Announces Release of Pheasants for 2011 Hunting Season

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today announced that approximately 30,000 adult pheasants will be released on lands open to public hunting for the upcoming Fall 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 of New York, and November 1 on Long Island.

For the fifth consecutive year, junior hunters (12-15 years old) have the opportunity to hunt pheasants the weekend prior to the opening of regular pheasant hunting season. In northern and eastern New York, the youth pheasant hunt weekend is September 24-25. In western New York, the youth pheasant hunt weekend is October 8-9. Pheasants will be released on a number of select sites across the state to provide ample youth hunting opportunities (see table below). All current pheasant hunting rules and regulations remain in effect during the youth hunt.

In addition to the upstate youth hunts, DEC is working to establish a youth pheasant hunt on Long Island (Nassau and Suffolk counties) this Fall.  Legislation authorizing a youth hunt on Long Island was signed by Governor Cuomo in August, and DEC initiated a regulatory proposal that, if adopted, would have the youth hunt held on the last full weekend in October (October 29-30, 2011).  Pheasants would be released prior to that weekend at the sites listed below.  To review the proposal and submit comments visit the “Proposed Regulations” page on the DEC website. The public comment period on this proposal is open and comments will be accepted through October 3, 2011. See: http://www.dec.ny.gov/regulations/propregulations.html .

The pheasants will be released on state-owned wildlife management areas and cooperative hunting areas prior to and during the Fall hunting season. All release sites for pheasants raised via state-funded programs are open to public hunting. A list of statewide adult pheasant release sites and sites receiving birds for the youth pheasant hunt weekends can be found on DEC’s website: http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/9349.html

The Day-old Pheasant Chick Program provides additional opportunities for pheasant hunters. This program was developed in the early 1900s to provide day-old pheasant chicks to cooperating 4-H groups and sportsmen and sportswomen. The chicks are distributed to program participants in May and June, and cooperators incur all costs associated with rearing the birds, including feed, water, utilities and facility construction. The birds are raised to adulthood and released on lands open to public hunting before the season opens. This year, nearly 46,000 pheasant chicks were distributed statewide as part of this program. Anyone interested in raising and releasing pheasants to expand next year’s hunting opportunities should contact DEC’s Reynolds Game Farm at (607) 273-2768.

Boundaries for pheasant hunting zones conform to Wildlife Management Units used for management of other wildlife. Wildlife Management Unit boundary descriptions can be found on the DEC website. In addition to knowing these unit boundary descriptions, hunters should review the 2011-2012 New York Hunting & Trapping guide for complete regulations and other important information before going afield. Hunters who plan to use private lands should ask permission from the landowner prior to accessing those lands.

Youth Pheasant Hunt Sites 2011:

Additional information provided on the DEC website includes:

• Pheasant Hunting Information: http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/8363.html

• Pheasant Hunting Seasons: http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/29453.html

• Pheasant Release Sites: http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/9349.html

Long Island Youth Pheasant Hunt Regulatory Proposal: http://www.dec.ny.gov/regulations/propregulations.html

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