ALBANY – New York State Department of Environmental Conservation officials are gearing up for this year’s sponsored pheasant hunts.
On Monday, DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos announced the agency is now accepting applications for sponsored hunts.
Sponsored hunts are free, non-competitive events coordinated by a local group, club, individual, or organization. Seggos said the program aims to engage more people with the outdoors, especially youth, women, novices, veterans, and people with disabilities.
“Sponsored pheasant hunts are a perfect opportunity for experienced hunters to introduce novices to New York’s longstanding tradition of pheasant hunting,” said Commissioner Seggos. “Participants are taught important skills, hunting safety, and ethics, and have a memorable experience outdoors thanks to the time and commitment of the volunteers who put these great hunts together.”
In addition to the pheasants raised for fall stocking throughout the state, DEC staff raise around 2,000 pheasants each year for the sponsored hunts. Each group is provided with up to 50 game-farm-raised pheasants for their hunt free of charge.
If an individual or a group would like to sponsor a hunt, they are asked to contact the DEC regional office for an application. Seggos said applications to participate in the program are due September 1, 2019.
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