The state Department of Environmental Conservation is releasing 30,000 adult pheasants in the St. Lawrence County and around the state in advance of the start of the pheasant season in the North Country Oct. 1.

In St. Lawrence County, pheasant are to be released in Canton at the Upper and Lower Lakes Wildlife Management Area, in Louisville at the Wilson Hill Wildlife Management Area, and in Macomb at the Fish Creek Wildlife Management Area.

A special pheasant hunting weekend for youth is this weekend, Sept. 27 and 28.

Pheasants will be released at selected release sites across the state to provide ample hunting opportunities for junior hunters. All current pheasant hunting rules and regulations remain in effect during the youth hunt. Due to new legislation that changed the start of the license year from Oct. 1 to Sept. 1, either a 2013-14 hunting license or a 2014-15 hunting license can be used to hunt during September this year. A 2014-15 license is required starting Oct. 1.

A program was developed in the early 1900s to provide day-old pheasant chicks to cooperating 4-H groups and sportsmen and sportswomen to raise. 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.

“The Day-old Pheasant Chick Program provides additional opportunities for pheasant hunters,” said DEC Commissioner Joe Martens. “Pheasant hunting opportunities have also been augmented by private landowners who have opened their land to public hunting. DEC is grateful for their help in providing a high-quality hunting experience for New York's sportsmen and sportswomen.”

All release sites for pheasants provided by state-funded programs are open to public hunting. Pheasants will be released on state-owned lands prior to and during the fall hunting season.

For more info, visit DEC’s website:

Pheasant Hunting: http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/8363.html

Pheasant Propagation Program: http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/49071.html

2014-15 Hunting and Trapping Regulations Guide: http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/37136.html