Porcupine Soup is reporting the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation now has applications available for its cooperative Day-Old Pheasant Chick Program. The program allows people to participate in raising and releasing pheasants in advance of the fall hunt. The program is provided through DEC's partnership with hunters, 4-H youth and interested landowners. DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos said in a statement, “The Day-OId Pheasant Chick Program is a great way to learn about animal husbandry and wildlife management.” The program began in the early 1900s. At that time, the state Conservation Department distributed pheasant eggs and chicks to farmers and rural youth, a tradition that continues to this day. In 2020, DEC distributed more than 31,500 day-old pheasant chicks at no cost to qualified applicants able to provide a brooding facility, covered outdoor rearing pen, and an adequate release site. Chicks obtained through the DEC program cannot be released on private shooting preserves and all release sites must be approved in advance by the department. Applications must be filed with a DEC regional wildlife manager by March 25. For more information, call 607-273-2768. Read the full story in Porcupine Soup.