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Is it just me or is there an absence of pheasants in Three Rivers WMA? It's one of the release points but I have yet to see any. I've been out a few different times now and worked different areas and nothing. Is this just me or is anyone else having the same problem.

Monitoring Pheasants in the Genesee Valley Focus Area Farmers in the 13 counties that comprise the Lake Plains of New York have partnered with DEC since 1945 to help survey wild pheasant populations. This effort continues in the newly established "Pheasant Habitat Focus Area" in the Genesee Valley (portions of Livingston, Genesee, Wyoming and Monroe counties). The focus area was created as a part of DEC's recently completed 10-year management plan for ring-necked pheasants. The goal of the focus area is to concentrate the efforts of public and private habitat conservation programs to benefit pheasants and other grassland birds. The surveys will help DEC monitor pheasant populations and evaluate the success of habitat management efforts in the focus area. Those who farm land in Livingston, Genesee, Wyoming or Monroe counties can consider participating in the Farmer-Pheasant Inventory. No special observations are required; just those made during normal spring and summer farming activities. To join, contact DEC at (518) 402-8886 or by e-mail ([email protected], write "Farmer-Pheasant Inventory" in the subject line). Those who do not farm, but would like to contribute their pheasant observations from Livingston, Genesee, Wyoming and Monroe counties can join the Summer Pheasant Sighting Survey. During the month of August, survey participants record the sex and age of all pheasants observed during normal travel. A Summer Pheasant Sighting Survey form can be printed from the DEC website or call (518) 402-8886 for further guidance. Additional information is available on the DEC website: Summer Wild Turkey Sighting Survey Pheasant Habitat Focus Area & Pheasants Surveys Citizen Science: Wildlife Observations Data Collection DEC Regional Office Contact Information

I am new in the area (Callicoon). Looking forward to get some advise on public land options. Maybe some club recommendation .... Anybody familiar with http://sunrisefarm.org/ ? Trying to find some fellow hunters to team up with .... Anybody looking for a hand in a drive or to go for a few outings, let me know, would be thrilled to tag along and meet some fellow local hunters. Regards, Boris

New in area (Callicoon, NY). Looking to connect with some hunters to partner up for some pheasant, turkey and deer (rifle) hunting. Preferred Sullivan County or Delaware County. Happy to be part of a drive. Have no joined any club yet, so public is only option for me.... Regards, Boris

Has anyone has any luck here? I'm looking at the area North of Weed Rd. by the DEP field office. Have no dog just my me and my Son. Been slogging through fields up to shoulder high at the Great Swamp in Patterson last 2 Sundays. Saw plenty of piles of feathers, just no birds. For almost 5 hours of walking we only flushed one hen between the 2 days. Cover is too heavy there, I think you really need a dog. Anyone know any other good spots? Coming from Putnam County, 3N region, but will travel an hour or so.

DEC Announces Habitat Management Workshop for Private Landowners Learn Tips on How to Manage your Land to Benefit Wildlife New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) will conduct its first Habitat Management Workshop for private landowners on Saturday, August 24, 2013, at the Hanging Bog Wildlife Management Area in New Hudson, Allegany County. The workshop will feature presentations from biologists and a brief field trip to help private landowners learn how to manage their property in a way that benefits wildlife. Over the years as our forests continue to mature, there has been a drastic decrease in shrubland habitat in New York," said DEC Regional Land Manager Emilio Rende. "Many species of wildlife rely on this type of young forest habitat for food, cover and breeding areas. Since much of the land in New York is privately owned, private landowners have become primary stewards of our wildlife and woodlands and can play an important role in helping to maintain critical wildlife habitat." Local private landowners are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity to learn property management strategies that benefit wildlife and various programs available to help. To register, please contact Emilio Rende at 716-372-0645 or at via email. The workshop is co-sponsored by the New York State Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF), the Ruffed Grouse Society and the Quality Deer Management Association. Space is limited to 30 participants, so please register soon. There is a registration fee of $10, which includes refreshments and lunch. Please make checks payable to the New York State Chapter of the NWTF. The deadline for registration is Friday, August 16th.

Iowa’s Third Dove Season After Ten Years of this in Iowa: http://youtu.be/G5lJFMe7X0U Dove hunting interest remains high August 25, 2013 Hunter interest remains high heading into Iowa’s third mourning dove season. The 70-day season opens Sept. 1, with birds now pouring into Iowa on their southward migration. The number of hunters should edge upward, too. “I expect a little bump up in hunter numbers again as more of them learn about dove hunting. A few more friends will come along,” said DNR upland research biologist Todd Bogenschutz. Last year, 9,328 dove hunters harvested 94,864 birds, according to the postseason small game survey. That was up from 8,780 hunters, taking 57,285 mourning doves in 2011, the first year of dove hunting in Iowa. Iowa’s summer “call count” showed a stable local dove population early this summer. “Hunters are learning more about hunting and where to find doves,” said Bogenschutz. “That first week is good. It’ll drop off after the first killing frost, but there are great hunting opportunities throughout the two-month season.” The continent’s most populous game bird, doves will concentrate in fields that have been harvested or which have food plots — especially if bare ground is available. Rather than walking and flushing birds, camouflaged hunters should sit and wait near food sources, water or roosting locations. As with most upland species, weather is always a factor. A soggy April and May meant numerous fields did not get planted or were flooded. Bogenschutz said he has noticed plenty of fields in the past weeks which came up in weeds or which might have had a cover crop like winter wheat planted. Both offer great dove hunting, especially if disked to provide bare ground for feeding. Iowa’s best dove hunting is probably on public wildlife areas with sunflower plantings. Hunters increase their chances of success by scouting ahead of time; checking with wildlife biologists in their area, for locations of sunflower plots or — in the case of flooded fields — areas replanted late with cover crops. The Iowa DNR’s website www.iowadnr. gov has a variety of mourning dove hunting information. Mourning doves are classed as a federal migratory bird. A migratory bird fee is not required to hunt doves. Eight of the lower 48 states, NY, NJ, MA, Maine, VT, NH, Conn., and MI do not allow dove hunting. If you are interested in knowing why dove hunting is not allowed and how to make a change, follow our page and join our grassroots effort. https://www.facebook.com/pages/NY-Dove-Hunting/365031743546569?ref=hl In the last decade the states prohibiting dove hunting has been cut in half. Every one of these states had the same battle as Iowa as shown in the video. As a matter of fact, Michigan had established a season only to have it repealed three years later. Just recently Michigan passed a law designating their Department of Natural Resources as the authority on setting hunting seasons. However, an exception was made for one species – the mourning dove. Rhode Island, the only northeastern state besides Pennsylvania which allows dove hunting, recently fought off an attempt by the Humane Society of the US to repeal their dove season. The same anti-hunting organizations are targeting the same states, including NY just a few years ago to close down state pheasant farms and ban state pheasant release programs.

http://youtu.be/TFcn3CBFC7E

Anyone Having any luck with those late season smart ones? If so share pic/story hope to add my own soon

Pheasant hunt video from last years footage......

Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) are lands that are supposed to be managed for wildlife; wildlife study; and wildlife-related recreation. Wildlife-related recreation is hunting, trapping, and bird watching. WMAs have different rules & more restrictions than other "state lands". Many states include the language "public hunting area" and/or "open to licensed hunters & trappers". Which sinage do you think is more informative? I like the green signs and detest the yellow ones. I want the DEC to use the green signs. What are your opinions?