DEC Announces Fall Pheasant Release Plans for Western New York

Hunters Encouraged to Enter Permit Lotteries

The Western New York pheasant hunting season will open on Saturday, Oct. 21, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announced today. DEC will release approximately 4,460 adult Ring-necked Pheasants on Region 9 lands open to public hunting for this fall's pheasant hunting season. Stocked pheasants will be provided by DEC's Reynolds Game Farm in Ithaca, New York. A complete statewide list of pheasant release sites is available on DEC's website.

"DEC is pleased to provide enhanced pheasant hunting opportunities in Western New York through our cooperative pheasant-raising programs," said Senior Wildlife Biologist, Emilio Rende. "To ensure the safety of our sportsmen and DEC staff while stocking, pheasant hunting will not be allowed on Fridays at Carlton Hill Multiple Use Area during October and November. We wish local sportsmen and sportswomen a safe and successful season."

The Day-old Pheasant Chick Program provides additional pheasant hunting opportunities through a partnership between DEC, sportsmen, 4H Youth and landowners that are interested in rearing and releasing pheasants. Birds from this program are released before the season opens and disperse widely, presenting a greater challenge for experienced hunters. 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 landowner/hunter relations are critical to ensure these areas remain open to hunting in future years.

Hunters are also encouraged to review the 2017-2018 New York State Hunting and Trapping Regulations Guide before going afield and to be sure of their targets and beyond when hunting. The guide identifies pheasant boundary restrictions and other important information, and is available on DEC's website. "Rooster only" and "rooster and hen" boundary descriptions are on page 43 of the guide.

A special permit is required for hunting small game during the opening day of pheasant season on Zoar Valley Multiple Use Area in the town of Collins (Erie County), and Harwood Lake Multiple Use Area in the town of Farmersville (Cattaraugus County). Hunters interested in entering the DEC permit lottery for these Multiple Use Areas should mail one standard-size postcard to:

NYSDEC, Bureau of Wildlife
270 Michigan Ave.
Buffalo, NY 14203

Postcards must include the hunter's name, address, telephone number, 2017-18 license back tag number, preferred time of hunt (sunrise to noon or 1:00 pm to sunset), and the management area desired in order of preference. All entries must be received by Sept 29. There is no fee for the permit, and hunters awarded permits will be able to name one additional hunter on their permit. Ten permits will be issued per time block on each management area. Small game hunting on all other days will remain sunrise to sunset with no permit required.

Hunters should also note that dogs are not allowed within the designated area on the multiple use areas for any purpose during the 48-hour period immediately preceding opening day of the fall pheasant season as posted on Zoar Valley Multiple Use Area and Harwood Lake Multiple Use Area.

Hunting throughout the pheasant season is allowed at Golden Hill, Joseph Davis, and Wilson-Tuscarora State Parks in Niagara County. However, permits are required on Oct. 21, Oct. 28, and Nov. 4 for Golden Hill, Joseph Davis, and Wilson-Tuscarora state parks. There will be two separate hunts each day that a permit is required: the first hunt will be from sunrise until 12:30 p.m.; the second hunt will be from 12:30 p.m. until sunset.

Hunters interested in entering the Permit Lottery at Golden Hill, Joseph Davis, and Wilson Tuscarora state parks should mail a separate, standard-size file card for each date and park that they would like to hunt. Only one permit will be issued to each hunter per day. Cards may be put into an envelope for each respective park and mailed together to the appropriate address below:

Golden Hill State Park
Renee Campbe
9691 Lower Lake Rd.
Barker, NY 14012
(716) 795-3885

Joseph Davis State Park
Josh Bodie
1 Maintenance Ave.
Youngstown, NY 14174
(716) 745-7273

Wilson Tuscarora State Park
David Giambra
3371 Lake Rd.
Wilson, NY 14172
(716) 751-6361

Information on the file card should include the hunter's name, address, telephone number, e-mail address, hunting license back tag number, hunt date, a.m. hunt or p.m. hunt, and desired park location. Entries will be computerized to avoid duplication. All lottery entries must be received by noon on Friday, Sept 29. Please call the respective Park Managers at the numbers provided above with questions about the Permit Lottery. Note: there will be no pheasant hunting at Golden Hill, Joseph Davis, and Wilson Tuscarora State Parks on release days (Oct.13, 20, 27 and Nov 3). There is no fee for the permit and hunters awarded permits will have the option of naming one additional hunter on their permit.

Hunters wishing to hunt pheasants in Allegany State Park are reminded that they must pick up a free hunting permit at the Administration Building near Red House Lake before hunting in the park. No small game hunting is allowed in Allegany State Park during the regular big game season that runs from Nov. 18 until Dec. 10. Please refer to the attached table for a summary of the number of pheasants to be stocked and release sites in each county. Questions should be referred to DEC's Bureau of Wildlife at (716) 851-7010 in Buffalo or (716) 372-0645 in Allegany. Additional information about pheasant hunting is available on DEC's website.

Under the FY 2017 budget, Governor Cuomo's NY Open for Fishing and Hunting Initiative provides $3 million for State land access projects and $4 million for hunting and fishing infrastructure. The FY 2016 budget also created a new capital account, which, along with federal Pittman-Robertson funds, will be used to manage, protect and restore fish and wildlife habitat and will improve and develop public access for fish and wildlife-related recreation.

This year's commitment builds on the previous $6 million in funding for 50 new projects to provide access to approximately 380,000 acres of existing State lands for recreation, including boat launches, bird-watching areas, trails and hunting blinds, and $8 million for upgrades and improvements to fish hatcheries statewide.

*Contact NYS Park managers at the respective parks identified in the attached press release above to apply for a permit.

**For information about special permits at Zoar and Harwood WMAs, please contact DEC's Buffalo Office at 716-851-7201 or DEC's Allegany Office at 716-372-0645.