×

Pleasant Pheasant Stocking Season Is Just Ahead

Ring-necked pheasants in the wild are scarce in many states, but conservation programs to raise them and return them to country farm fields is active in many states — New York needs to do more to become one of them. Photo from the late Joe Forma collection

The walleye and perch in Lake Erie are on a hot bite right now; steelhead, lake trout and brown trout are beginning to gather a few miles offshore of Lake Erie tributaries. Anglers are catching fish of all species. The best musky fishing of the year in Chautauqua and Cassadaga Lakes is just around the corner, and right now, the NYSDEC is preparing its autumn pheasant stocking calendar for Region 9 in Western New York as the seasons turn.

The tree leaves will soon be ablaze in a bright, brilliant mix of dazzling yellow, crimson red and radiant orange leaves, but for now — get out your calendar. The regular pheasant hunting season will open Saturday, Oct. 19. In all, the DEC will release approximately 4,750 adult ring-necked pheasants on Region 9 lands open to public hunting through the season. In addition, a special youth-only pheasant hunting weekend will take place in Western New York on the weekend of Oct. 12-13, with roughly 1,250 adult ring-necked pheasants released on Region 9 lands open to public hunting for the youth weekend opportunity. The hunt is scheduled one week prior to the regular pheasant hunting season. It provides junior hunters (ages 12-15) a chance to hunt pheasants with a licensed adult companion when fewer hunters are afield. A licensed adult hunter must accompany junior hunters during the youth pheasant hunt. Accompanying adults may not possess a firearm or take a pheasant during this special season. During the two-day youth hunt, junior hunters can harvest two birds per day, as allowed during the regular season. All other pheasant hunting regulations remain in effect.

While we’re all excited for the pheasant season, it’s important to remember that safety comes first. To ensure the safety of hunters and DEC staff during pheasant stocking, pheasant hunting is prohibited each Friday at Carlton Hill Multiple Use Area (MUA) and each Thursday at Zoar Valley MUA, Clear Lake Wildlife Management Area (WMA) and Hanging Bog WMA throughout October and November. Let’s all do our part to keep everyone safe during this exciting time.

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 hunter-landowner relations are critical to ensuring these areas remain open to hunting in future years.

A special permit is required for hunting small game during the opening day of regular pheasant season on Zoar Valley MUA in the town of Collins (Erie County) and Harwood Lake MUA in the town of Farmersville (Cattaraugus County). Hunters interested in entering the DEC permit lottery for these MUAs should mail one standard-size postcard to NYSDEC, Bureau of Wildlife, 700 Delaware Ave., Buffalo, N.Y., 14209.

Fishing with Captain David Adrian of Aqua Tech Charters, Marty Schenk shares a picture of one of the Lake Erie walleye he fooled on a lure that he custom-painted. Can fish guess that this lure looks like real bait? They caught a limit that day. Go figure. Submitted photo

If you are a pheasant hunter, be sure to review the 2024-2025 New York State Hunting and Trapping Regulations Guide before going afield. Note that “cock only” and “cock and hen” boundary descriptions are on page 40 of the guide. Identify a list of local pheasant release sites using the DEC 2024 Pheasant Release Sites Interactive Mapper.

New York State will receive 42,500 pheasants from the DEC Reynolds Game Farm in Ithaca. Region 9 will receive 6,119 birds, including 4,558 cocks and 1,561 hens. The 818-acre Alder Bottom WMA in Sherman in Chautauqua County will receive 302 birds, starting with an initial stocking of 73 birds on Oct. 7.

Gotta love the New York outdoors.

CALENDAR

Sept. 21: Chautauqua lake musky contest, NY Muskies – Chapter 69, 7 a.m.-3 p.m., Lakewood Community Park, $40 entry for members, $50 non-members; pre-register online at https://nymusky.com.

Sept. 21: Southtowns Walleye Association of WNY, 1-Day walleye tournament, 12:01 a.m.-noon. Weigh-in noon to 2 p.m. at 5895 Southwestern Blvd., at the clubhouse. $45 registration. Info: Paul Sanchez, 716-228-6520.

Sept. 21-22: WNY Walleye Association, Lake Erie Walleye Tournament, Contact Ron Kucinski: 716-545-5925, or email: kucinski1293@gmail.com.

Sept. 25 & 27: NYS Hunter Ed Course, 5:30 p.m.-10 p.m. Free. Northern Chautauqua Conservation Club, Info: 716-366-3397.

Sept. 28: NYS Bowhunter Ed Course, 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Free. Northern Chautauqua Conservation Club, Info: 716-366-3397.

Sept. 28: National Hunting and Fishing Day celebration

Sept. 28: Hanover Fish & Game, 3-bird fall fun shoot, Registration 8 a.m., shooting starts 9 a.m.; 780 Overhiser Road, Forestville. Open to the public.

Starting at $2.99/week.

Subscribe Today