The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has announced that the regular pheasant hunting season in Western New York will begin on Saturday, October 18, 2025. For this year’s season, DEC plans to release about 6,102 adult ring-necked pheasants across Region 9 lands that are open to public hunting.
The birds for stocking will come from DEC’s Reynolds Game Farm in Ithaca. A full list of statewide pheasant release sites can be found through the DEC’s 2025 Pheasant Release Sites Interactive Mapper and Table.
Hunters are advised to consult the 2025-2026 New York State Hunting and Trapping Regulations Guide before heading out. The guide provides important information on boundary restrictions and identifies “cock only” and “cock and hen” boundaries on page 49.
There are specific closures for hunting on certain days at several Wildlife Management Areas (WMA) and Multiple Use Areas (MUA) in Region 9 to support safe stocking and improve hunt quality. Pheasant hunting is closed each Friday at Carlton Hill MUA, and each Thursday at Zoar Valley MUA, Clear Lake WMA, and Hanging Bog WMA during October and November.
DEC reminds hunters to seek permission from private landowners before hunting on their property. Many release sites are available due to cooperation with private landowners, which helps keep these areas open for future seasons.
A special permit is required for small game hunting on opening day of pheasant season at Zoar Valley MUA in Collins (Erie County) and Harwood Lake MUA in Farmersville (Cattaraugus County). Hunters who want a permit must send a postcard with their details—including name, address, phone number, license number, preferred time slot, and area preference—to NYSDEC’s Bureau of Wildlife in Buffalo by September 25, 2025. Ten permits per time block will be issued for each management area. Permit holders may name one additional hunter. On other days of the season, small game hunting does not require a permit at these locations.
Dogs are not allowed within designated areas of Zoar Valley MUA or Harwood Lake MUA during the 48 hours immediately before opening day as posted.
Pheasant hunting is permitted throughout the season at Golden Hill, Joseph Davis, and Wilson-Tuscarora State Parks in Niagara County. However, permits are needed for hunts on October 18, October 25, and November 1 at these parks. Each date will have two hunt periods: sunrise to 12:30 p.m., then from 12:30 p.m. until sunset.
To enter the lottery for park permits at Golden Hill, Joseph Davis, or Wilson Tuscarora State Parks, hunters must mail a separate file card with their information—name, address, phone number, email address, license number, hunt date/time preference—to each park manager by noon on September 25. Only one permit per hunter per day will be issued; awarded hunters may name one additional person on their permit. No pheasant hunting is allowed at these parks on release days: October 17, October 24, and October 31.
For Allegany State Park hunts, hunters need to pick up a free permit from the Administration Building near Red House Lake before going afield. Small game hunting is not allowed during the regular big game season from November 15 to December 7.
Tables summarizing stocking numbers by county are attached with further details available through DEC’s Bureau of Wildlife offices or online via DEC’s Pheasant Hunting webpage.
“Hunters are encouraged to review the 2025-2026 New York State Hunting and Trapping Regulations Guide before going afield, and to be sure of their targets and beyond when hunting. The guide identifies boundary restrictions and other important information including ‘cock only’ and ‘cock and hen’ boundary descriptions are located on page 49 of the guide.”
“There will be the following hunting closures on DEC Region 9’s Wildlife Management Areas (WMA) and Multiple Use Areas (MUA) for safe and effective pheasant stocking to improve hunt quality and the hunting experience. Pheasant hunting is closed each Friday at Carlton Hill MUA and each Thursday at Zoar Valley MUA, Clear Lake WMA, and Hanging Bog WMA during October and November.”
“Hunters are reminded to ask permission from private landowners before hunting on their lands. Many of these release sites are available for hunting because of the cooperation of private landowners. Good landowner/hunter relations are critical to ensure that these areas remain open to hunting in future years.”
“A special permit is required for hunting small game during the opening day of pheasant season on Zoar Valley MUA in the town of Collins (Erie County), and Harwood Lake MUA in the town of Farmersville (Cattaraugus County). Hunters interested in entering the DEC permit lottery for these MUAs should mail one standard-size postcard… All entries must be received by Thursday Sept. 25th.”
“Hunters should also note that dogs are not allowed within the designated area on the MUA for any purpose during the 48-hour period immediately preceding opening day of the fall pheasant season as posted on Zoar Valley MUA and Harwood Lake MUA.”
“Hunting throughout the pheasant season is allowed at Golden Hill Joseph Davis & Wilson-Tuscarora State Parks in Niagara County however permits are required Oct.18 Oct.25 & Nov1st…”
“Hunters wishing to hunt pheasants in Allegany State Park are reminded that they must pick up a free hunting permit at the Administration Building (2373 ASP1 Salamanca NY14779) near Red House Lake before hunting in park.”
“The attached tables provide a summary of number of pheasants stocked & release sites… Program related questions may be answered by contacting DECs Bureau Wildlife… Additional info about pheasant hunting is available DECs Pheasant Hunting webpage.”
