The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has unveiled its draft Strategic Plan for Pheasant Stocking to Enhance Hunter Recruitment, Retention, and Reactivation (R3): 2026-2035. The initiative recognizes an important challenge: participation in small game hunting, including pheasant, rabbit, and squirrel hunting is declining even faster than big game hunting.

Hunting has long been the backbone of wildlife conservation in America. Fewer hunters not only mean fewer people enjoying the outdoors, but also fewer dollars available for conservation programs that benefit all wildlife. Some argue that hunters are leaving New York because of high taxes, strict firearms and ammunition laws and concerns over Second Amendment rights. Others point to rising costs of living. After all, there is only so much money to go around the household. Maybe they could lower my electric bill too.

Whatever the reasons, one fact remains clear: declining hunter participation threatens wildlife conservation capacity and weakens our connection to the outdoors. Hunters play a critical role in conservation funding. Hunting licenses and ammunition purchases generate millions of dollars for wildlife management through the federal Pittman-Robertson Act. Since 1937, more than $30 billion in wildlife restoration funds have been distributed to state fish and wildlife agencies for habitat conservation, research, wildlife health monitoring and hunter education.

The DEC’s new plan shifts away from restoring wild pheasant populations and instead focuses on using pheasant stocking as a tool to recruit, retain, and reactivate hunters.

Photo courtesy of Joe Forma Pheasant hunting with mentors and buddies can be more than ordinary fun, especially for the dogs that are happy to be retrieving after the shot.

Key proposals include four key points:

· More Strategic Stocking: Updating stocking procedures to improve hunting experiences.

· Closer-to-Home Opportunities: Expanding access near major population centers.

· Mentorship Programs: Strengthening introductory programs that welcome new hunters into the field.

· Simplified Seasons: Pursuing regulatory changes that make pheasant hunting easier to understand and access statewide.

If successful, these efforts could introduce a new generation to safe, ethical hunting while strengthening support for conservation.

The DEC wants to hear from hunters and outdoor enthusiasts. You can review the full strategic plan and a summary online or print out a copy at: https://dec.ny.gov/sites/default/files/2026-06/pheasantsum.pdf. Comments may be submitted by email to Wildlife@dec.ny.gov with “Pheasant Plan” in the subject line. The deadline for public comments is July 25, 2026.

Whether you hunt pheasants every fall or simply value New York’s outdoor heritage, now is the time to speak up. The future of pheasant hunting — and an important piece of wildlife conservation in New Yor k– may depend on it.

Gotta love the outdoors.

Outdoor Calendar:

June 18: Lake Erie Chapter of Fly Fishers International, monthly meeting, Burchfield Arts, 2001 Union Rd., West Seneca, 6 p.m., fly tying; 7 p.m., guest speaker, Adam Slavinski on Catskill trout fishing.

June 20: Youth Fishing Derby, Westfield Fish & Game, 8150 Ogden Rd., Westfield; 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Free, open to public, register upon arrival; fishing rods/reels for use are available at no charge, Info: 716-326-2289.

June 20: Annual Game Dinner/Picnic, West Falls Conservation, 4 p.m. start, prizes, bring a dish to pass, open to club and non-club members, 55 Bridge St., West Falls. Info, contact Al Gai: 716-937-3271.

June 20-21: Jake Ernewein Memorial Fishing Contest, Chautauqua Lake, adults and juniors: adults $10 registration, youth under 16 – free; Chautauqua Lake Fishing Association, 10 Chadakoin Pkwy., Celoron, NY; Info: 716-664-9152.