Clubs invited to participate in pheasant chick and egg program

PENNSYLVANIA — 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.

“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,” said Calvin W. DuBrock, Game Commission Bureau of Wildlife Management director.

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.

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 to 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.

For more information visit pgc.state.pa.us/pgc/cwp/view.asp?a=11&Q=172651.