Pheasant stockings will increase across Pennsylvania in fall of 2018.
Bob Frye/Everybody Adventures
Pennsylvania pheasant hunters are going to get more for their money this fall.
Last season, of course, adult hunters were – for the first time ever – required to buy a $25 pheasant permit in addition to their general hunting license to pursue Game Commission’s stocked birds.
But there were fewer birds available.
The commission had, for several years prior, stocked 220,000 birds. Last year it released 170,000.
That led to complaints.
So this fall, the commission is going back to the higher number.
“One of the promises that I personally made was that we will be back to 220,000 in a couple years. We got there early,” said commissioner Tim Layton of Somerset County.
He credited the quick return to revenues generated by permit sales combined with new efficiencies that saved roughly $2 million.
The commission closed two of its four pheasant farms. It also went from maintaining brood birds on those year-round to buying day-old chicks from commercial producers.
All that, together with other cost savings, is allowing the commission to “take necessary steps to increase production,” he added.
It may get some additional money, too. The commission is requiring junior hunters to get a free youth pheasant permit this year. It’s meant to provide a number on just how many juniors pursue the birds.
it’s also a key to getting more money to support the program, though.
Layton said the commission is applying for a federal grant offering money for projects connected with youth hunter recruitment and retention. The free permit will aid that cause, he noted.
It’s all part of a bigger plan to get people hunting, and not just for deer, he said.
“One of our goals this year is to make small game hunting opportunities better,” Layton said.
