DEC Announces Late-Season Pheasant Releases for Region 8 Counties

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today announced new late-season pheasant stocking to enhance hunting opportunities in DEC's Region 8. In January 2025, approximately 670 additional adult ring-necked pheasants will be released on public lands open to hunting in Chemung, Steuben, Livingston, Ontario, and Yates counties. Stocked pheasants will be provided by DEC's Reynolds Game Farm in Ithaca. 

Late-season pheasant hunting is a great way for new hunters to get involved in the sport, allows experienced hunters the opportunity to head afield after deer season has closed, and provides opportunities for both new and experienced hunters to gather outdoors with family and friends.

DEC Region 8 is implementing pheasant releases during the weeks of Jan. 5 and Jan. 12 on the following public lands:

• Big Flats Wildlife Management Area (WMA), Chemung County
• Helmer Creek WMA, Steuben County
• Hemlock-Canadice State Forest, Livingston County
• High Tor WMA, Ontario County and Yates County
• Honeoye Inlet WMA, Ontario County
• Pinnacle State Park, Steuben County

DEC encourages hunters to review the 2024-2025 New York State Hunting and Trapping Regulations Guide, which identifies cock and hen harvest boundary restrictions, season dates, and bag limits. Hunters are reminded to always practice safe firearms handling and be sure of their target and beyond when hunting.

A complete statewide list of pheasant release sites is available on DEC's website on the DEC Pheasant Release Sites Interactive Mapper. Program-related questions may be answered by contacting DEC Region 8 Bureau of Wildlife at (585) 226-5380.Find additional information about pheasant hunting on DEC's website.