Is there a way to raise pheasant for release and is it legal?

[I have WHAT in my yard?]

Pheasant used to be plentiful in this area. DH was asking me if it was feasible to raise for release or do you need to be a wildlife rescue or whatever...




I DO know that just raising as almost pets and releasing any animal is dangerous and cruel. But, I do know it IS possible. Is there a way to learn?

 

[birdlover]

I was just talking to a man the other day about that and he said it's okay to release ring-necked pheasants. That's all I know! LOL

 

[KingsCalls]

Here in Tn. if it is a native bird.....you have to contact the Tn. Wildlife Dept. I raise wood ducks and if I were to want to release a few, I have to call them and they set up a date and place for me to release them. I can't just go in my backyard and turn them out..! Each state have their own rules when dealing with this kind of thing.

 

[DTchickens]

how'd these pheasants get out here?! their not native!.. "Well officer.. I had them as pets and one day they got out and i couldn't catch them, eventually they started breeding and here they are"

 

[the1much]

around here everyone buys pheasants and quail to release on their ranch's to keep the "herd" up for the next hunting season

 

[arlee453]

Check with your state's wildlife commission.

There are regulations surrounding the release of game birds into the wild and they vary widely from state to state.

When you release them you can provide a range feeder for them for a period of time so they can adjust to finding food on their own.

 

[Tony K T]

Here in N.H you need a permit to release birds into the wild.Which means you need to ask permission.Our state people believe that released birds will not reproduce.We who raise pheasants know better then that.
In N.H.,Tony.

 

[arlee453]

http://www.pgc.state.pa.us/pgc/cwp/view.asp?a=458&q=167107

Here you go... here's a program where they will provide the chicks and you just have to raise them and release at the right time.

Either way you could probably call one of the contacts listed on this page to find out more about raising pheasants for release in PA.

Have fun!!

 

[monarc23]

In PA you HAVE to have a Permit to even own Pheasants let alone release them. Please contact your counties Game commission and they will put you in contact with the ones who do the permiting.

 

[I have WHAT in my yard?]

Thanks guys! I'll look into it. DH remembers pheasant being plentiful around here, but MIL says there was an avian flu epidemic "some time back" she's not sure how long ago and they died. Since there was little in the area left for habitat they just never rebounded. How accurate is her memory likely to be? How much open woods do they need?

I am not going to run out to do this, I would just like to know so we can decide if it i feasible sometime down the road.