Pheasant hunting in this state is “steeped in tradition, according to the state Department of Environmental Conservation.

“Since the first hunting season for pheasants was designated in 1908, New York sportsmen and sportswomen have held the ring-necked pheasant in highest regard,” DEC said.

The pheasant hunting season kicks off on various dates (Oct. 1, Oct. 19 or Nov. 1), depending on where one hunts in the state. See the DEC website for pheasant hunting seasons and regulations. To encourage young hunters, the state also holds Youth Hunts on the last full weekend prior to the start of the regular fall pheasant hunting season in each area of upstate New York.

Ring-necked pheasants are not native to this state and were originally brought to this country from Asia in the late 1800s. Today they’re found in 40 states across the country, Due to loss of habitat and predators, though, New York’s state’s wild pheasant population is at an all-time low, with only small numbers surviving the winter each year.

As a result, pheasant hunting in this state is basically a “put and take” activity. The DEC has the Richard E. Reynolds Pheasant Farm near Ithaca, where each year it raises some 25,000 adult birds that are stocked on lands open to the public for hunting. The DEC also has a “day-old chick” program, where Rod and Guns Clubs and other groups pick up young chicks, raise them in separate private facilities and also release them on property open to public hunting.

Those who hunt pheasants need a regular hunting license. And having a trained dog to help flush them is a near necessity, although they can successfully be taken without one.

In this 2009 photo, John Heiman, center, with Andrew Heiman and their dogs, checking the map for one for the designation hunting areas in Cayuga County, NY for pheasant hunting. Dick Blume/The Post Standard

Thinking of going pheasant hunting? The following is a list provided by the DEC of places pheasants were slated to be stocked for this fall’s season:

Region 1 - Long Island

For further information on release sites contact: Bureau of Wildlife Stony Brook Office at (631) 444-0310.

View maps for each of the properties in Suffolk County.

Suffolk County

· Brookhaven - Rocky Point State Natural Resources Management Area* (YH, RS)

· Riverhead & Brookhaven - Otis Pike Preserve* (YH, RS)

· Brookhaven - Eastport State Lands* (YH)

*For the above Suffolk County locations a daily permit must be obtained from the Ridge Hunter Check Station for "Regular Season" hunting (designated "RS" above), and a Seasonal Access Permit is needed for the Youth Hunt (designated "YH" above).

Region 3 - Lower Hudson Valley

For further information on release sites contact: Bureau of Wildlife New Paltz Office at (845) 256-3098

Dutchess County

· Amenia - Wassaic Multiple Use Area (RS)

· Milan - Lafayetteville Multiple Use Area (YH, RS)

· Red Hook - Tivoli Bays Wildlife Management Area (YH, RS)

Orange County

· New Windsor - Stewart State Forest (YH, RS)

· Tuxedo - Sterling Forest State Park - Must obtain hunting permit from Sterling Forest Park Office. (RS)

Putnam County

· Patterson - Cranberry Mountain Wildlife Management Area (YH, RS)

· Patterson - Great Swamp WMA, access off Cornwall Hill Rd., park in designated areas only (6 car capacity) (YH, RS)

Sullivan County

· Freemont - Crystal Lake State Forest (RS)

· Mamakating - Bashakill Wildlife Management Area (RS)

· Thompson - Wolf Brook Multiple Use Area (RS)

Ulster County

· Wawarsing - Ver Nooy Kill State Forest (Lundy Estate), access from Lundy Road off 209 (RS)

·

Region 4 - Capital District / Northern Catskills

For further information on release sites contact: Bureau of Wildlife - Schenectady Office at (518) 357-2355 or - Stamford Office at (607) 652-7367

Print or download maps of the 2019 Region 4 Pheasant Release Sites:

· Albany, Montgomery, and Columbia counties (PDF, 5 MB)

· Delaware, Otsego, and Schoharie counties (PDF, 8 MB)

Albany County

· Berne - Partridge Run WMA - See maps at all informational kiosks. (YH, RS)

· Knox - Margaret Burke WMA - west side of County Route 254. (YH, RS)

· New Scotland - West side of Diamond Hill Rd. north of Clipp Rd. Pheasant hunting only. (YH, RS)

Columbia County

· Stockport - Brickyard WMA - Highway 9J and Avord Dock Rd. (YH, RS)

· Stockport - Stockport WMA - Rod and Gun Rd. Please respect the no discharge areas and nearby private residences. There is no discharge of firearms to the west of Joslen Heights Rd. and north of Joslen Blvd. (YH, RS)

Delaware County

· Colchester - Bear Spring Mtn. WMA - East Trout Brook Rd. (YH, RS)

· Delhi/Franklin - County Route 16 at the town line. NYCDEP Land - respect property and nearby private residences. (YH, RS)

· Franklin - Off Rt. 357 across from Merrickville Rd. on Town property. Must obtain permission to hunt surrounding private land. (YH, RS)

· Roxbury - West Settlement Rd. about 3/4-mile north of Andrew Gray Rd. NYCDEP Land - respect no hunting zone, which is privately leased. (YH, RS)

· Stamford/Bovina - Scutt Mountain Road. NYCDEP Land - respect property and nearby private residences. (YH, RS)

Montgomery County

· Canajoharie - Maring Rd. near Rte. 89 (YH, RS)

· Minden - Clinton Rd. 1/2-mile west of NY-163 (YH, RS)

Otsego County

· Middlefield - County Rte. 43 & 35 (YH, RS)

· Milford - Rt. 28 , South of Milford - Must stay on farm road, do not drive on fields to avoid puddles and ruts (YH, RS)

Schoharie County

· Conesville - Bear Kill Rd. NYCDEP land near Brand Rd. and Karlau Rd. Respect property and nearby private residences. (YH, RS)

· Richmondville - Lape Road. No motorized vehicles; walk up farm lane. (YH, RS)

· Richmondville - Beards Hollow Road. (YH, RS)

· Schoharie - Sunnyside Road to Deere Lane (private road). (YH, RS)·

Region 5 - Eastern Adirondacks/Lake Champlain

For further information on release sites contact: Bureau of Wildlife

· Raybrook Office at (518) 897-1291 or

· Warrensburg Office at (518) 623-1240

Clinton County

· Beekmantown - Monty's Bay WMA (YH, RS)

· Chazy - Lake Alice Wildlife Management Area (YH, RS)

Essex County

· Westport - Near the junction of Lake Shore Rd & Clark Rd on state land (YH, RS)

Fulton County

· Ephratah - South of Ephratah on Rte. 140 and Turn Hill Road (RS)

Saratoga County

· Greenfield - Daketown State Forest (YH, RS)

· Wilton - Saratoga Sandplains (Old Gick) (YH only)

Washington County

· Greenwich - Carter's Pond Wildlife Management Area (YH, RS)

· Jackson - Eldridge Swamp State Forest (YH, RS)

· Fort Edward - Washington County State Forest (YH only)

·

Region 6 - St. Lawrence Valley/Western Adirondacks

For further information on release sites contact: Bureau of Wildlife

· Watertown Office at (315) 785-2263 or

· Potsdam Office at (315) 265-3090 or

· Herkimer Office at (315) 866-6330

Print or download maps of the 2019 Region 6 Pheasant Release Sites (PDF).

Herkimer County

· Danube - Nowadaga Creek (canal) - hunting in fields at end of Depot Rd. between canal and hikeway trail; parking at yellow gate; no motorized vehicles on field. (RS)

Jefferson County

· Brownville - Perch River Wildlife Management Area (YH, RS)

· Cape Vincent - Ashland Wildlife Management Area (RS)

· Clayton - French Creek Wildlife Management Area (RS)

· Lyme - Point Peninsula Wildlife Management Area; will be stocked opening week, but not opening day. (RS)

Lewis County

· Martinsburg - East Martinsburg Rd. - park in designated areas only, located by following signs. Please respect landowner's property. No firearm discharge within 500' of dwellings and farm buildings. (RS)

Oneida County

· Rome - Rome Wildlife Management Area (RS)

· Verona - Verona Beach State Park Co-op; Hunters are required to obtain a seasonal hunting permit. Self-issued permits are available from Verona Beach State Park website or from Verona Beach State Park office (315-762-4463). (RS)

· Whitestown - Oriskany Flats Wildlife Management Area (YH, RS)

St. Lawrence County

· Canton - Upper & Lower Lakes Wildlife Management Area (YH, RS)

· Louisville - Wilson Hill Wildlife Management Area (RS)

· Macomb - Fish Creek Wildlife Management Area (RS)

·

Region 7 - Central New York

For further information on release sites contact: Bureau of Wildlife - Cortland Office at (607) 753-3095 ext 247

Print or download maps of all of the 2019 Region 7 Pheasant Release Sites (PDF).

Broome County

· Triangle - Whitney Point Multiple Use Area (YH, RS)

Cayuga/Tompkins Counties

· Ledyard, Genoa, Lansing - Cayuga Tompkins Co-op Hunting Area (YH, RS)

Cayuga County

· Conquest - N. Montezuma Wildlife Management Area - Howland Island. (RS)

Chenango County

· Smithville - Long Pond State Forest (YH, RS)

Madison County

· Hamilton - South of the Village of Hamilton along Payne Brook to Middleport Rd. or County Rte. 77. (RS)

· Lenox - Galavotti Farm - west of N. Main St.; Permission required; Park in designated areas; Limited to 2 vehicles, 4 hunters maximum. (RS)

Onondaga County

· Lysander - Three Rivers Wildlife Management Area (YH, RS)

Oswego County

· Richland - Deer Creek Marsh Wildlife Management Area (YH, RS)

· West Monroe - Three-Mile Bay Wildlife Management Area (YH, RS)

Tioga County

· Richford - Michigan Hill State Forest (YH, RS)

·

Region 8 - Rochester/Western Finger Lakes

For further information on release sites contact: Bureau of Wildlife

· Avon Office at (585) 226-5380

· Bath Office at (607) 776-2165

Chemung County

· Veteran - Bill Winkky Farm, Ridge Rd.; Permission required; Park in designated area; Limited to 2 vehicles - 4 hunters maximum (RS)

· Veteran - Dick Winkky Farm, Veteran Hill Rd.; Permission required; Park in designated area; Limited to 2 vehicles - 4 hunters maximum (RS)

· Veteran - Dick Winkky Farm, Dann Blvd.; Permission required; Park in designated area; Limited to 2 vehicles - 4 hunters maximum (RS)

· Chemung - Maple Hill State Forest (RS)

Genesee, Niagara County

· Alabama, Royalton - Tonawanda Wildlife Management Area; Closed to pheasant hunting on Tuesdays and Fridays (YH, RS)

Genesee County

· Alabama - John White Wildlife Management Area (RS)

· Darien - Darien Lake State Park (YH, RS)

· Oakfield, Alabama - Oak Orchard Wildlife Management Area; Closed to pheasant hunting on Tuesdays and Fridays (YH, RS)

Livingston County

· Livonia - Hemlock-Canadice State Forest - North end of Hemlock Lake (YH, RS)

· Springwater - Hemlock-Canadice State Forest - South end of Hemlock Lake (YH, RS)

· Sonyea - Sonyea State Forest; north end of Union Corners Rd. off of Presbyterian Rd. Do not enter through Department of Corrections property. (RS)

Monroe County

· Greece, Parma - Braddock Bay Wildlife Management Area (YH, RS)

Ontario, Yates Counties

· Naples, Italy - High Tor Wildlife Management Area (YH, RS)

Ontario County

· Richmond/Canadice - Honeoye Inlet Wildlife Management Area (RS)

Seneca County

· Fayette - Poorman Farm, Poorman Rd. off Rt. 414 (RS)

· Lodi - Finger Lakes National Forest - Area around Lodi Center Rd. (County Rte. 137), Neal Rd., Smith Rd., and Dean Rd. (RS)

Schuyler County

· Hector - Finger Lakes National Forest - Satterly Hill Rd. (RS)

Steuben County

· Tuscarora - Nichols Farm on Thompson Rd. (YH, RS)

Wayne County

· Conquest - N. Montezuma Wildlife Management Area - Howland Island (RS)

· Savannah - N. Montezuma Wildlife Management Area along Savannah-Spring Lake Rd. (YH, RS)

· Wolcott/Huron - Lake Shore Marshes Wildlife Management Area (YH, RS)

· Wolcott - Chimney Bluffs State Park, Garner Rd., directly across from the entrance to Chimney Bluffs State Park parking lot at 7700 Garner Rd. (YH, RS)·

Region 9 - Western New York

For further information on release sites contact: Bureau of Wildlife

· Buffalo Office at (716) 851-7010 or

· Allegany Office at (716) 372-0645

Allegany County

· Birdsall - Keeney Swamp Wildlife Management Area (YH, RS)

· New Hudson - Hanging Bog WMA along New Hudson Road (YH, RS)

Cattaraugus County

· Conewango, Randolph - Conewango Swamp Wildlife Management Area - between Rte 241 and Conewango Creek. (YH, RS)

· Farmersville - Harwood Lake Multiple Use Area - Special permit required to hunt opening day Oct. 19 (PDF); Contact NYSDEC, 270 Michigan Ave., Buffalo, NY 14203, (716) 851-7010 (YH, RS)

· Red House - Allegany State Park, Wolf Run Rd. (free permit necessary from Admin. Bldg.) (YH, RS)

· Red House - Allegany State Park, Upper Bay State Rd. (free permit necessary from Admin. Bldg.) (RS)

· South Valley - Allegheny Reservoir Wildlife Management Area - vicinity of Bone Run off Onoville Rd. (YH, RS)

Chautauqua County

· Sherman - Alder Bottom Wildlife Management Area - off Idora Rd. and Rte 76. (YH, RS)

Erie County

· Collins - Zoar Valley Multiple Use Area - South of Vail and Unger Road and Button Road. - Special permit required to hunt opening day Oct. 19 (PDF); Contact NYSDEC, 270 Michigan Ave., Buffalo, NY 14203, (716) 851-7010 (YH, RS)

· Brant - East of Mileblock Rd., south of Milestrip Rd. Must obtain permission from landowner. (RS)

Erie, Niagara Counties

· Royalton, Newstead - Tonawanda Wildlife Management Area (RS)

Niagara County

· Lewiston - Joseph Davis State Park - Special permit required for hunting pheasants on Oct. 12-13, 19, 26, & Nov. 2; Questions, call (716) 745-7273 (YH, RS)

· Newfane - East of Hess Road, near Charlotteville Road. Must obtain permission from landowner. (RS)

· Somerset - Golden Hill State Park - Special permit required for hunting pheasants on Oct. 12-13, 19, 26, & Nov. 2; Questions, call (716) 795-3885 (YH, RS)

· Somerset - West of Hosmer Road and north of West Somerset Road. Hunting north of railroad tracks only. Must obtain permission from landowner. (RS)

· Wilson - Wilson-Tuscarora State Park - Special permit required for hunting pheasants on Oct. 12-13, 19, 26, & Nov. 2; Questions, call (716) 751-6361 (YH, RS)

Wyoming County

· Middlebury - Carlton Hill Multiple Use Area & Sulphur Springs F.W.M.A. Co-op - 5 miles north of Warsaw; Closed to pheasant hunting on Fridays (October through November only) (YH, RS)

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