Action Alerts From Animal Defenders of Westchester (ADOW)

TELL GOV. HOCHUL: THE NYS PHEASANT HUNT IS A DISGRACE FOR NY

From: Animal Defenders of Westchester (ADOW)
July 27, 2026

THE NYS DEPT OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION (DEC) RUNS A YEARLY PHEASANT "HUNT" - WHICH IN FACT CONSISTS OF THE DEC STOCKING NON-NATIVE BABY BIRDS SPECIFICALLY TO BE RELEASED AS "GOOD TRAINING TOOLS" FOR HUNTERS TO KILL. One hunter happily refers to them as "birds planted here for hunters."

The harsh facts are each year the DEC places orders for thousands of baby birds which are raised in confinement, depending on humans for everything, including food, water, and shelter. They are then shipped to unfamiliar surroundings without any of the necessary survival skills to find their own food, escape predators, avoid cars etc....and are released to be shot by hunters as a bizarre, cruel 'target practice.' The DEC justifies this pitiful slaughter as "offering a highly accessible gateway to the outdoors and an ideal introduction for hunters from non-traditional pathways. In meetings with DEC officials, we've pointed out that an activity like skeet shooting would do the same, except no animals would have to die; this suggestion was ignored. The DEC admits this program is losing participants - but their response is to expand kill sites instead!

NO LIVING BEINGS SHOULD BE USED AS 'TRAINING TOOLS" FOR HUNTING - this unconscionable project was started by the NYS Conservation Fund Advisory Board (CFAB), a DEC division that deliberately excludes non-hunters from serving on their advisory board.

The DEC calls the slaughter of these birds 'good training tools.' This subject was covered in the NY Times: "NY Raises These Pheasants to be Shot. Is it Hunting or Cruelty?"

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/29/nyregion/new-york-pheasant-stocking-bill.html?login=email&auth=login-email

*IT'S AN ELECTION YEAR: PLS ASK GOVERNOR HOCHUL AND NYS OFFICIALS TO HELP TERMINATE THIS PROGRAM:

(Sample letter)

"The NYS Pheasant Hunting program is a disgrace for NYS. The DEC's practice of stocking thousands of baby birds which are raised in confinement, depending on humans for everything, including food, water, and shelter, then shipped to unfamiliar surroundings without any of the necessary survival skills to find their own food, escape predators, avoid cars etc - to then be released to be shot by hunters, is a bizarre, cruel event. The DEC calls the slaughter of these birds 'good training tools.' But shooting stocked pheasants with no survival skills isn't hunting or 'sportsmanship' - it's killing. Neither our wildlife, nor any living beings, are 'training tools.' Pls do everything in your power to put an end to this extremely cruel, grossly unfair practice. Thank you." Refer to any portion of this alert as well.

PUT 'STOP THE NYS PHEASANT HUNT' IN THE SUBJECT LINE.
**ALL CAN BE CC'D
***Non-residents can make the contacts; if you're a resident pls indicate it.


GOVERNOR'S PHONE 1-518-474-8390

GOVERNOR'S EMAIL: [email protected]

MSG CAN BE SENT VIA GOVERNOR'S WEBSITE
https://www.governor.ny.gov/content/governor-contact-form

CONTACT NYS SENATE MAJORITY LEADER ANDREA STEWART-COUSINS
EMAIL: [email protected]

PLS TAKE A MOMENT TO CC YOUR LEGISLATORS:

FIND YOUR LEGISLATOR HERE: https://secure.aspca.org/legislator-lookup

Our Sincerest thanks for your efforts on this; this project never should have even been considered
~ Animal Defenders of Westchester

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