GAME COMMISSION ENCOURAGES CLUBS TO PARTICIPATE IN PHEASANT CHICK AND EGG PROGRAM
Sportsmen's organizations with approved propagation facilities can augment local ring-necked pheasant stockings and increase localized recreational hunting opportunities by raising day-old pheasant chicks supplied free-of-charge by the Pennsylvania Game Commission.
Applications to participate can be downloaded from the agency's website (
www.pgc.state.pa.us), by clicking on "Forms & Programs" and then selecting "Pheasant Chick & Egg Program." In order for Game Farm superintendents to plan and set hatches to accommodate requests, the Bureau of Wildlife Management must receive completed applications by March 31.
"We invite interested clubs, in fact, we urge clubs, to participate in this program," said Calvin W. DuBrock, Game Commission Bureau of Wildlife Management director. "This can be a wonderful opportunity for participating clubs to get young people involved with raising birds. In the process, they learn about the food and habitat requirements of pheasants, they'll have the chance to see the chicks mature into adult game birds and they augment their local pheasant populations and increase hunting opportunities."
In 1929, the Game Commission began the propagation of pheasants on an extensive scale with the establishment of two game farms. Over the next six decades, to off-set the increasing demand for pheasants from hunters, three other farms were placed into operation, and the day-old pheasant chick program was implemented and made available to sportsmen's organizations, 4-H clubs, farmers, and other cooperators for rearing and release on areas of public hunting.
In 1959, the number of pheasant chicks distributed to cooperators reached 229,685, an all time high, in addition to the more than 88,500 pheasants raised and released by the agency at its four game farms. Unfortunately, cooperator participation has dwindled significantly over the last few decades; in recent years only a dozen or so clubs have participated raising and releasing 3,000-4,000 birds.
Because of budgetary constraints, the Game Commission was forced in 2005 to reduce its annual pheasant stocking allocation from 200,000 to 100,000. The Game Commission released 100,000 adult birds again this past season, and expects to keep pheasant production at 100,000 until additional financial resources are made available.
DuBrock said that the agency provides, free of charge, day-old pheasant chicks to clubs entering into an agreement with the Game Commission to raise birds and promote recreational hunting on lands open to public hunting. Gender is not determined as the chicks are boxed for distribution, but are generally at a one-to-one male/female ratio. The number of chicks received depends on the size of the club's facility. The agency will provide enrolled clubs with plans for a brooder building, covered pen, and guidelines for rearing pheasants.
For more information, please visit the Pennsylvania Game Commission - State Wildlife Management Agency website:
http://www.pgc.state.pa.us/pgc/cwp/view.asp?a=11&Q=173337