The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has announced a youth-only pheasant hunting weekend for several eastern New York counties, scheduled for September 27-28. This initiative is part of the DEC Pheasant Propagation Program, which provides more than 50,000 adult pheasants annually to support upland game bird hunting throughout the state. A significant portion of these birds are set aside specifically for youth hunting opportunities.
Sean Mahar, DEC Region 4 Regional Director, stated, “Hunting is a time-honored tradition that provides important support to local economies throughout our region and DEC’s conservation efforts in the state. DEC’s youth hunts offer a focused introduction to upland bird hunting with guidance from experienced, adult hunters who help to foster and encourage hunter education, hunting ethics, responsible firearm use, and wildlife conservation that will hopefully last a lifetime for these young hunters. We encourage all interested New Yorkers and their families to ‘Get Offline and Get Outside’ and join one of the many youth hunting opportunities available this year.”
This event aligns with the Governor’s “Get Offline, Get Outside” campaign aimed at encouraging children and families across New York State to reduce screen time in favor of outdoor activities that benefit mental and physical health.
To further promote outdoor engagement among young people, the DEC has introduced challenges such as the recently announced DEC Challenge. This challenge invites youth to complete 50 different outdoor activities before turning 19 years old. The program encourages exploration of parks, forests, wildlife management areas, and other locations statewide.
Pheasants for the upcoming youth hunt will be supplied by Reynolds Game Farm in Ithaca. Youth participants aged 12-15 must be accompanied by an experienced adult mentor during their hunt. Hunters can find information about release sites on the 2025 Pheasant Release Sites Interactive Mapper and Table. The 2025-2026 New York State Hunting and Trapping Regulations Guide is also available for review.
Hunters are reminded to seek permission before accessing private lands since many release sites exist due to cooperation from landowners.
The regular pheasant hunting season in DEC Region 4—which includes Albany, Columbia, Delaware, Greene, Montgomery, Otsego, Rensselaer, Schenectady, and Schoharie counties—will begin on October 1. Approximately 5,250 adult ring-necked pheasants will be released on public lands in this region for the fall season.
There are changes this year: stocking will no longer take place at Taconic Ridge State Forest (George Allen Hollow Road in Berlin) because of new residential development nearby; however, a new site has been added on Cheese Hill Road in Rensselaerville in southern Albany County. Details about these locations can be found using the interactive mapper.
For questions regarding pheasant hunting or additional information about regulations or site specifics visit DEC’s Pheasant Hunting webpage or contact DEC’s Bureau of Wildlife at its Schenectady headquarters or Stamford sub-office.
