Pheasant hunting opens Oct. 21 in WNY

Tribune, Dispatch, Sentinel, September 28-30, 2006

The New York state Department of Environmental Conservation has announced plans for the release of 3,331 ring-necked pheasants at sites in Western New York, including locations in the county, for the pheasant hunting season that opens on Saturday, Oct. 21 and continues to Friday, Nov. 17.

“Pheasants will come from DEC’s Reynold’s game farm in Ithaca,” said Region 9 Director Abby Snyder. “DEC is pleased to be able to provide pheasant hunting opportunities for sportsmen in Western New York.”

She reports that all sites will be stocked prior to opening day with 1,323 cock pheasants. An additional 329 hen pheasants will be released in WNY areas open to both cock and pheasant hunting. Release totals include:

•Niagara County: Pheasant releases number 140 in Lewiston at Joseph Davis State Park. A special permit is required for hunting pheasants on Oct. 21 and Oct 28.

In the town of Newfane, a total of 154 pheasants will be released at sites on Hoffman Road, just east of Hess Road, and east of Hess Road, near Charlotteville Road.

In the town of Wilson, 238 pheasants will be released at Wilson Tuscarora State Park, and in an area west of Maple Road, between Nelson Road and Shadigee road. A special permit is required for hunting at Wilson Tuscarora on Oct. 21 and 28.

In the town of Somerset, 371 pheasants will be released at Golden Hill State Park, and at locations west of Hosmer Road, between Townline Road and Hoffman Road, and east of Hosmer Road, between Haight Road and West Somerset Road. A special permit is required for hunting at Golden Hill on Oct 21 and 28.

In addition 112 pheasants will be released at the Tonawanda Wildlife Management Area, a portion of which is in Niagara County.

Mark Kandel, regional wildlife manager, reminds hunters to seek permission from private landowners prior to hunting on their lands. He points out that many of the release sites are available due to the cooperation of private landowners, and that good landowner/hunter relations are necessary to ensure that theses areas are open to hunting in future years.

On a related note, the Niagara Frontier State Park Region reports the annual permit lottery for the 2006 hunting season dates in Niagara County (Oct. 21 and 28) will take place on Monday, Oct. 16. Hunting for the three Niagara County state parks (Golden Hill, Joe Davis and Wilson-Tuscarora) will run from Oct. 21 to Nov. 17.

Those interested in entering the permit lottery are advised to mail a standard-size post card for each date and park desired for hunting to: Sandy Wilkolaski, Niagara Frontier State Parks, Regional Operations Office, P.O. Box 1132, Niagara Falls, N.Y. 14303-0132. The post card should include the applicant’s name, address, telephone number, e-mail address, hunting license tag number, hunt date and desired park location.

All lottery entries must be received by noon on Friday, Oct. 13.

She reports that 15 small game hunting permits will be issued for Golden Hill State Park, seven for Joseph Davis, and eight for Wilson-Tuscarora for each of the two days (Oct. 21 and 28) when permits are required.

Successful applicants will be notified by either regular mail or e-mail. Those with questions on the pheasant hunts should contact Wilkolaski at 278-1785.