A season in which more birds will be released statewide awaits Pennsylvania’s pheasant hunters when about 240,000 pheasants – 25,000 more than last year – are made available for the 2016-17 seasons.
The season begins Oct. 8 with a one-week season for junior hunters, and opens to hunters statewide on Oct. 22 and runs through Nov. 26. The season reopens Dec. 12 and ends the last day of February.
The increase in the number of pheasants is due to several factors. The Game Commission planned changes to its pheasant-propagation program to cut costs. Instead of raising chicks from breeder pheasants at the Game Commission’s game farms, in 2017 the agency plans to begin purchasing day-old chicks from private propagators.
The move, which is expected to save $200,000 annually, also contributes to an increased number of pheasants released this year. Birds that would have been kept as breeders instead can be released on public-hunting grounds.
The Game Commission also purchased about 15,000 day-old chicks this year in a test run to ensure its program could operate smoothly if it transitions to purchasing all chicks to be raised. Those birds will be released, as well.
Although the agency took deliberate action to reduce production, this year saw the highest hatch rate in recent memory. It all adds up to more pheasants afield in 2016-17.
“Against all odds, Pennsylvania’s pheasant hunters once again have plenty to be excited about this year,” said R. Matthew Hough, Commission executive director. “It’s no secret the Game Commission has been navigating some rough financial waters; 17 years without one adjustment for inflation to our primary source of revenue – the hunting license – will do that.
“We have been forced as an agency to make many cuts to staff and programs, and moves to make the pheasant propagation program less costly are among these,” he said. “Fortunately for pheasant hunters, however, those moves will result this year in more ring-necks released statewide, adding even more excitement to some of the best hunting action around.”
The Game Commission stocks pheasants as a service to its hunters. The program cost $4.3 million last year. For more information on hunting pheasants in Pennsylvania, click here.