Day-Old Pheasant Rearing Project Deadline

Wednesday, March 20, 2019, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM

Daily care is necessary to monitor the health of young pheasants and to ensure that there is adequate feed and water for the rapidly growing chicks. Youth interested in participating in the annual Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC)’s Day-Old Pheasant “Raise & Release” program have the unique opportunity to experience rearing pheasants and releasing them into the wild.

Orders can be placed until Wednesday, March 20, 2019 through Cornell Cooperative Extension Sullivan County (CCESC)’s 4-H Youth Development program, located at the Extension Education Center on 64 Ferndale-Loomis Road in Liberty.

The rearing of pheasants requires a great deal of responsibility by youth and a substantial time commitment. The benefits of this program are as follows:

Rearing pheasants is enjoyable, challenging, and teaches youth responsible behavior
Released pheasants offer fall hunting opportunities
People enjoy seeing and hearing pheasants

For more information on the Day-Old Pheasant Chick Program or to register for chicks, please contact Barbara Moran or 845-292-6180.

When the program started in the early 1900s, pheasant eggs and chicks were distributed to farmers and rural youth. Today, day-old chicks are available at no cost to participants who are able to provide a brooding facility, a covered outdoor rearing pen, and an adequate release site. According to the DEC, wild populations of this introduced species have reached all-time lows. Without propagation and release programs by DEC and private entities, pheasant hunting opportunities would not exist in New York State.

The program is funded through the state Conservation Fund from license fees paid by hunters, trappers, and anglers. More information is available on the DEC website at: http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/7271.html.

Any Sullivan County youth ages 5-18 can apply to enroll in 4-H for free, all year long. To learn more about 4-H, call CCESC at 845-292-6180 or visit http://sullivancce.org/4-h-youth-development.
Cornell Cooperative Extension’s 4-H Youth Development program empowers any youth ages 5-18 to reach their full potential, working and learning in partnership with caring adults. 4-H members have opportunities to connect to Cornell University resources and gain career readiness skills through handson activities and “learning by doing”.