Export

4-H Pheasant Rearing Workshop

• Wednesday, February 15, 2023, 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM

Registration is requested by Monday, February 13. 

Register online at: https://reg.cce.cornell.edu/pheasants2023_245.

(If you are unable to access the internet, please call CCE Seneca at 315-539-9251)

Learn how you can get free day-old pheasant chicks to raise and release into the wild. 

Come to this free workshop and learn from staff from the Richard E. Reynolds Game Farm as they explain how the program works and give tips and ideas on successfully raising the day old chicks. The staff will also answer questions and give insights on what is required to make this program work for you.

Rearing pheasants is enjoyable and challenging and also a good teaching tool for youth. Releasing the pheasants offers fall hunting opportunities and pheasants are an enjoyable addition to a property. The cooperator program provides a means for youth and adults to learn about the husbandry and natural history of pheasants, with an incentive to expand areas open for public hunting and to improve habitat for grassland wildlife species.

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

Pheasant hunting has a long tradition as one the most popular small game hunting activities in New York State, but wild populations of this introduced species have reached all-time lows. Without propagation and release programs, pheasant hunting opportunities would not exist in New York. The NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has a long history of propagating pheasants to help meet the demand for pheasant hunting opportunities. Seneca County Cornell Cooperative Extension (SCCCE) is offering you an opportunity to get involved in this worthwhile project.

The Cooperative Day-old Pheasant Chick Program (DOCP) is one of the DEC’s programs that help make more game available for hunting and bird watching in the area. The DEC's Bureau of Wildlife owns and operates the Richard E. Reynolds Game Farm located near Ithaca, the state's only pheasant production facility. Approximately 40,000 day-old chicks are hatched and distributed to cooperators. Each cooperator receives a specified number of free day-old chicks to raise and release at no additional expense to DEC. All birds must be released on lands open for public hunting. Program participants include 4-H youth, sportsmen clubs, landowners, farmers, schools, NYS Department of Corrections, and other individuals. For the past 11 years Seneca County has been one of the top three counties with the number of birds raised and released.

Fee

Free

Location

Seneca County CCE Offices
Main Street Shop Centre, Ste #308
Waterloo, New York 13165

Last updated January 25, 2023