Hunting has always been the backbone of wildlife conservation, but we are seeing a troubling trend in New York: participation in small game hunting (like squirrel, rabbit, and pheasant) is declining even faster than big game hunting. This trend threatens our conservation capacity and diminishes our community’s connection to the great outdoors. To help turn the tide and get more people out in the field, the DEC is overhauling the pheasant stocking program to more effectively use it as a hunter recruitment, retention, and reactivation tool.
The newly drafted Strategic Plan for Pheasant Stocking to Enhance Hunter Recruitment, Retention, and Reactivation (R3): 2026–35 replaces the previous 2010–20 management plan, this major update shifts the focus from wild pheasant habitat restoration to fully leveraging pheasant stocking as a powerful tool for R3.
What’s Changing?
The drafted plan aims to break down barriers and make small game hunting more accessible than ever. Key proposals include:
• More Strategic Stocking: Updated stocking procedures to create better field experiences.
• Closer to Home: Expanding hunting access near major population centers.
• Mentorship Matters: Bolstering introductory and mentorship programs to welcome the next generation of hunters.
• Simplified Seasons: The plan suggests pursuing regulatory changes to simplify pheasant season structures, so pheasant hunting is more accessible across the state.
How to submit your feedback:
Deadline: Comments are open through July 25
Email: Send your thoughts to Wildlife@dec.ny.gov
Important: Please use “Pheasant Plan” in the subject line of your email. Grab your gear, review the plan, and help us secure the future of pheasant hunting in New York state.
Host a sponsored pheasant hunt to get other hunters afield. The sponsored pheasant hunt program is designed to help share the experience of small game hunting with new or underrepresented hunters, teaching novice hunters in-the-field skills while building their confidence to help them become independent hunters. The DEC provides pheasants to sponsored hunt hosts, free of charge, for stocking ahead of each event. These events are free to all participants and registration is open to the public.
All participants must have a valid hunter education certification and current hunting license. If you or your organization are interested in learning more, call 607-273-2768 or visit https://dec.ny.gov/sites/default/files/2024-06/sponsoredpheasanthuntfactsheet.pdf
Ready to apply to and plan your hunt? Applications are accepted annually from June 1 through January 15.
