Pheasants are being released throughout our area by the Department of Environmental Conservation, as youth pheasant hunting season begins next weekend, Sept. 29-30. Some of the hunters may have raised the birds, which are culled from the Day-old Pheasant Chick Program. From the DEC:

"This program was developed in the early 1900s to provide day-old pheasant chicks to cooperating 4-H groups and sportsmen and sportswomen. The chicks are distributed to program participants in May and June, and cooperators incur all costs associated with rearing the birds, including feed, water, utilities and facility construction. The birds are raised to adulthood and released on lands open to public hunting before the season opens. This year, over 42,000 pheasant chicks were distributed statewide as part of this program. Anyone interested in raising and releasing pheasants to expand next year's hunting opportunities should contact DEC's Reynolds Game Farm at (607) 273-2768."

Local pheasant release sites are listed below.

Albany County

Berne - Partridge Run WMA - See maps at all informational kiosks. (YH, RS)
Knox - Margaret Burke WMA - west side of Cty Rte 254. (YH, RS)
New Scotland - West side of Diamond Hill Rd. north of Clipp Rd. (YH, RS)

Columbia County

Kinderhook - County Rte. 21 southeast of Dahlgren Rd. (YH, RS)
New Lebanon - South side of Cemetery Rd., west of Royce Hill Rd. (YH, RS)
New Lebanon - South side of Rte. 20 east of Old Shaker Rd. Access with limited parking on farm road just east of Stewart's Shop (YH, RS)

Delaware County

Colchester - Bear Spring Mtn. WMA - Trout Brook Rd. (YH, RS)
Delhi/Franklin - County Route 16 at the town line. NYCDEP Land - respect property and nearby private residences. (YH, RS)
Franklin - Off Rt. 357 across from Merrickville Rd. on Town property. Must obtain permission to hunt surrounding private land. (YH, RS)
Harpersfield - Peters Rd. northwest of Bruce Hill Rd. Park at designated parking sign. Two vehicles maximum. (YH, RS)
Roxbury - Charcoal/Frank Todd Road. NYCDEP Land - respect property and nearby private residences. (YH, RS)
Stamford - Tower Mountain Road. Free NYCDEP Access Permit Required (see off-site link in right-hand column or call 1-800-575-LAND). (YH, RS)
Walton - Bear Spring Mtn. WMA - West Trout Brook Rd. (YH, RS)

Dutchess County

Amenia - Wassaic Multiple Use Area (YH, RS)
Milan - Lafayetteville Multiple Use Area (YH, RS)
Red Hook - Tivoli Bays Wildlife Management Area (YH, RS)

Ulster County

Hurley - Gill's Farm - Must obtain permission from landowner. (YH, RS)
Rochester - Davis Farm - Must obtain written permission from landowner. (YH, RS)
Rochester - Kelder Farm - Must obtain written permission from landowner. (YH, RS)
Wawarsing - Ver Nooy Kill State Forest (Lundy Estate), access from Lundy Road off 209 (YH, RS)

Greene County

Jewett - County Route 78, Colgate Lake State Forest Preserve. (YH, RS)
Ashland/Windham - County Route 32C at Schoharie County line; clear cut areas on Ashland-Pinnacle State Forest. (YH, RS)

Rensselaer County

Nassau - North and south of Jefferson Hill Rd. at the intersection with Middle Rd. - Must ask permission by calling 518-766-4346 after 5 PM. (YH, RS)

Schoharie County

Broome - Franklinton Vlaie Wildlife Management Area. (YH, RS)
Conesville - Bear Kill Rd. NYCDEP land near Brand Rd. and Karlau Rd. (YH, RS)
Conesville - CCC Road off of South Mountain Road at Green County line; clear cuts on South Mountain State Forest. (YH, RS)
Richmondville - Lape Road. (YH, RS)
Richmondville - Beards Hollow Road. (YH, RS)
Schoharie - Sunnyside Road to Deere Lane (private road). (YH, RS)