Youth Hunters Invited to New York Pheasant Weekend in 2025

By Blake Jackson

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has announced a special youth-only pheasant hunting weekend for several counties in eastern New York, scheduled for September 27-28.

As part of the DEC Pheasant Propagation Program, more than 50,000 adult pheasants are released statewide to support upland game bird hunting and encourage hunter recruitment, reactivation, and retention.

A significant portion of these birds is dedicated to youth hunting opportunities, giving young participants a chance to “Get Offline and Get Outside.”

“Hunting is a time-honored tradition that provides important support to local economies throughout our region and DEC’s conservation efforts in the state. DEC’s youth hunts offer a focused introduction to upland bird hunting with guidance from experienced, adult hunters who help to foster and encourage hunter education, hunting ethics, responsible firearm use, and wildlife conservation that will hopefully last a lifetime for these young hunters," DEC Region 4 Regional Director Sean Mahar said.

"We encourage all interested New Yorkers and their families to ‘Get Offline and Get Outside’ and join one of the many youth hunting opportunities available this year.”

The youth hunts, held at DEC’s Reynolds Game Farm in Ithaca, are open to hunters aged 12-15, who must be accompanied by an experienced adult mentor.

A complete list of statewide pheasant release sites is available on DEC’s 2025 Pheasant Release Sites Interactive Mapper and Table. Hunters are encouraged to consult the 2025-2026 New York State Hunting and Trapping Regulations Guide and always confirm targets and surroundings.

Private landowner permission is required before hunting on their property, as maintaining good relationships ensures continued access for hunting.

Regular pheasant season in DEC Region 4 covering Albany, Columbia, Delaware, Greene, Montgomery, Otsego, Rensselaer, Schenectady, and Schoharie counties will open October 1, with approximately 5,250 adult ring-necked pheasants released on public lands.

Changes this year include the removal of the Taconic Ridge State Forest release site due to residential development and a new location in Southern Albany County on Cheese Hill Road, Rensselaerville.

For questions, contact DEC’s Bureau of Wildlife at (518) 357-2355 in Schenectady or (607) 652-7367 in Stamford. Additional details are available on DEC’s Pheasant Hunting webpage.

Photo Credit: gettyimages-paul-hartley