DEC Revises 10-year Pheasant Management Plan
Will Help Guide Management of Wild and State-propagated Pheasants; Public Comments Sought
Source: http://www.dec.ny.gov/
Published: Sep. 29, 2009
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Pete Grannis today announced the public availability of a new draft plan to help guide DEC's management actions for wild and state-propagated ring-necked pheasants for the next decade. The draft document updates DEC's 1999 version of "A Ten-Year Management Plan for Ring-necked Pheasants in New York" and, when finalized, will be in effect through 2020.
"Pheasants remain a popular game bird in New York, with more than 50,000 people across the state going afield to hunt them each year," Commissioner Grannis said. "This draft plan updates and enhances DEC's management approaches to monitor wild pheasant populations, as well as our long-standing pheasant propagation program that continues to enjoy strong support and cooperation from community and sporting groups."
New York's wild pheasant population has declined by more than 90 percent since the peaks seen in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Numerous factors contributed to the decline, with the main causes being the loss of fallow grasslands for nesting and brood-rearing, a decline in grain farming, and spreading commercial and residential development. The vast majority of pheasants hunted in New York come from DEC's pheasant propagation programs. Each year, more than 100,000 pheasants are hatched for fall stocking and cooperative rearing and release programs and provide recreational hunting opportunities for hunters of all ages and abilities.
The draft plan announced today provides an action plan for guiding management and use of pheasants for the coming decade. It was developed by a team of DEC biologists and technicians following a review of the current pheasant management plan and programs, looking at how other states manage pheasants, and talking to sportsmen and other DEC divisions.
Changes from the current plan and management activities include:
- Establishing a focus area in Western New York to concentrate efforts for wild pheasant management by DEC and other interested organizations. The focus area would utilize available resources and help determine if increasing wild pheasant populations is possible under current biological, social, and fiscal conditions.
- Extending pheasant hunting seasons in most areas to provide greater hunting opportunities.
- Reducing the scale of the cock-only hunting area in western New York to reflect changing habitat and land use.
- Discontinuing the Young Pheasant Release Program (YPRP) after 2010, while continuing the Day-old pheasant chick cooperator program.
- Increasing adult pheasant production from 25,000 to 30,000 birds annually beginning in 2011 if the YPRP is discontinued;
- Discontinuing the supply of adult birds for field trials.
- Establishing pheasant hunting areas for people with disabilities.
The draft pheasant management plan, and additional information about pheasants in New York, can be found on the DEC website. If you do not have access to the internet, please call (607) 273-2768 to request a copy of the draft plan.
Proposed actions described in the draft plan are subject to change based on public comments that the Department receives by Nov. 13, 2009. Comments should be submitted by email to fwwildlf@gw.dec.state.ny.us (type "pheasant plan" in the subject line) or by regular mail to Michael J. Murphy, 81 Game Farm Road, Ithaca, NY 14850.
Commissioner Grannis also encouraged all outdoor enthusiasts to consider purchasing a Habitat/Access Stamp, an optional stamp that helps support the DEC's efforts to conserve habitat and increase public access for fish and wildlife-related recreation. This year's stamp features a drawing of a pair of playful red fox. Buying a $5 stamp is a way to help conserve New York's fabulous wildlife heritage.
Individuals can also enhance DEC's fish and wildlife programs through "Return A Gift To Wildlife" - a voluntary contribution line on the state income tax form to provide every taxpayer with an easy, simple way to support fish and wildlife conservation. Any whole dollar amount may be contributed whether taxes are owed or a refund is due, and all contributions are tax-deductible on the following year's return.
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