Pheasants are one of New York’s most popular game bird, and have occupied New York's landscape since their first successful introduction in 1892 on Gardiner's Island. A later release in 1903 on the Wadsworth estate, near Geneseo, established this Asian species and helped popularize pheasant hunting throughout New York. Populations peaked in the late 1960s and early 1970s, but have steadily declined despite extensive management efforts. While limited and isolated incidents of repopulation do occur, most sightings are the result of released stocked pheasants for hunting purposes.
Current Status
Wild pheasants no longer exist in populations large enough to warrant active management in New York State. However, thousands of hunters still pursue released pheasants each fall. Their colorful plumage, fast flight, and quality table fare have made them one of the nation’s most popular upland game birds.
A variety of factors have contributed to the loss of wild pheasant populations in New York, such as limited availability of fallow grassland habitat required for nesting and brood-rearing, shifts in agriculture practices and crop selection, and insufficient habitat to protect them from predators. Pheasant populations across the United States are often supported by federal agricultural programs that set-aside large expanses of undisturbed grasslands. For example, the Conservation Reserve Program has set-aside millions of grassland acres in the mid-western states. However, for various reasons, these programs have not been as widely available or implemented in New York.
Since 2010, the Management Plan for Ring-necked Pheasants in New York State (PDF) has guided management of this resource. An updated plan is currently being developed and will be released for public review and comment once finalized.
Pheasant Hunting
Pheasant hunting continues to be an extremely popular pastime for sportsmen and women. Pheasant releases are conducted to increase hunting opportunity and participation, and not to restore populations. For this reason, hunting seasons, regulations, and releases are configured in a manner that encourages harvest of released pheasants. Pheasant hunting also serves as an excellent entry point for new hunters, providing ample opportunity through publicly accessible hunting sites and a supportive setting to put the skills taught in Hunter Education Programs into practice. Annual releases of state-reared pheasants are funded by a federal grant from the Wildlife Restoration Act and the Conservation Fund to encourage and increase hunting participation.
For more information on pheasant hunting such as release sites, how to participate in a pheasant hunt or how to raise and release pheasant of your own please visit the Pheasant Hunting webpage.
Landowners interested in managing their property to benefit Ring-necked Pheasants or other grassland birds can request the following publications: Landowner's Manual for Ring-necked Pheasant Habitat Improvement & In Quest of the Ringneck.
