NYS DEC Hudson Valley Pheasant Program Returns for 2021

The tradition is about 100 years old and will continue again in 2021. Today, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYS DEC) announced that March 25, 2021 is the deadline to be part of this year's Day-Old Pheasant Chick Program.

The NYS DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos sent the news out today that the annual Day-Old Pheasant Chick Program will be taking application now through March 25th for people who are interested and also qualified to raise Pheasants that will need to be released later this year. The program is designed to help boost New York state's fall pheasant hunting. The NYS DEC has partnered with landowners, 4-H groups and hunters to bring this program together.

The Day-Old Pheasant Chick Program, in existence since the early 1900's does not cost money to be part of but you do have to be able to care for the chicks. If you are interested you must be able to provide certain types of pens and a proper release site. All of those details are available with the application. Once you apply if you are approved you will receive the pheasant chicks in late spring. If selected you will need to care for the birds until their release which could be as late as December.

You can get an application and find out more at your local NYS DEC office. The Hudson Valley office is in New Paltz.

Region 3 - Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan, Ulster, and Westchester counties:
21 South Putt Corners Rd.
New Paltz, NY 12561
(845) 256-3098