New York Mixed Bag: Day-old chick program returns for raising pheasants – Outdoor News
Ithaca, N.Y. — The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s Day-Old Pheasant Chick program is set to return in 2024. After a last year’s outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza disease outbreak devastated New York’s pheasant stock at the Richard E. Reynolds Game Farm located in Ithaca, DEC said it was proud to announce its continuation in 2024.
Day-old pheasant chicks are supplied free of charge to approved applicants that provide an appropriate rearing space and public release site. This program provides a great chance for youth and adults alike to learn more about the pheasant’s biology, preferred habitat, and rearing practices while providing increased upland gamebird hunting opportunity.
The program has been in effect since 1919, when surplus eggs and chicks from state operated game farms were provided to farmers and the public to rear. Pheasants acquired and raised through this program must be released on approved sites that are accessible to pheasant hunting. Assistance is available in finding an appropriate release site.
Applications and rearing guides can be found on DEC’s pheasant hunting page and must be submitted by April 1. More information can also be found by emailing [email protected] (with the subject line including pheasants); or by calling the Reynolds Game Farm at 607-273-2768.
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President’s Day Weekend Features New York’s First Free Fishing Days of 2024
Albany — Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 17-18, will be the first free fishing days in New York this year. During these designated days, the first of which occur during President’s Day Weekend, residents and visitors are permitted to fish for free without a fishing license. All other freshwater fishing regulations still apply.
Each year, New York offers six state-wide free fishing days to give people a chance to try the sport of fishing at no cost, and anglers are encouraged to support the sport by eventually purchasing a NYS fishing license. Future free fishing day for 2042 will be June 29-30, Sept. 28 (National Hunting and Fishing Day) and Nov. 11 (Veteran’s Day).
DEC commonly holds free fishing clinics at locations across New York during free fishing days. These instructor-led sport fishing clinics are conducted to help new anglers become familiar with getting started in fishing. Learn more at the DEC website.
New York Ducks Unlimited Seeking Photos For 2025 Calendar
Clayton, N.Y — New York Ducks Unlimited is seeking photos from waterfowl hunters for next year’s (2025) calendar. The group is looking for photos that best illustrate waterfowl species, dogs, and recognizable New York landmarks.
Photo submissions are limited to three photos per person and must be original photos. Horizontal image work best and should be 600 dpi resolution, or larger in a jpeg format. Photographers should be able to show proof of ownership and may write their own captions.
The deadline is Feb. 15. Photos should be emailed separately to [email protected].
Project at Lakeview WMA In Jefferson County Will Help Northern Pike, Waterfowl
Ellisburg, N.Y. — DEC and partners including the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Great Lakes Commission (GLC), National Audubon Society’s Great Lakes and New York state programs, and Ducks Unlimited (DU), recently announced the start of construction on a wetland enhancement project in the Lakeview Wildlife Management Area (WMA), in the town of Ellisburg, Jefferson County.
The 3,461-acre WMA along the eastern shoreline of Lake Ontario is part of the largest natural freshwater barrier beach system in New York State. The project will improve spawning and nursery habitat for fish such as northern pike, as well as new breeding habitats for waterfowl and declining bird species. Additionally, the work will enhance recreational opportunities for waterfowl hunting, bird watching, sport fishing, and kayaking.
Signage has been posted at locations that will be affected during project activity to alert those recreating within the WMA of areas of restricted access. Construction is anticipated to complete in early 2024, weather permitting. To learn more about the project please visit: https://www.glc.org/work/priorityareas/lakeview.
Third Annual Hemlock Woolly Adelgid Winter Mapping Challenge Is Under Way
Albany — The NY Natural Heritage Program is hosting the third annual Annual HWA Winter Mapping Challenge to help battle the invasive insect called Hemlock Woolly Adelgid in partnership with the NYS Hemlock Initiative. The challenge began Feb. 1 and runs through March 15. Those who join the challenge will help map HWA and have a chance to win prizes.
DEC says the eastern hemlock is an iconic element of our forests – creating habitat wherever it stands tall, and keeping our drinking water crisp and clear (good for trout too). HWA threatens hemlock stands throughout New York.
Participants simply locate hemlock trees their area, check for HWA egg masses (look for white fuzz balls on the undersides of twigs), and report their findings to www.nyimapinvasives.org. The website also includes photos of HWA for identification purposes.
