How It All Began
In 2007, Sheriff Tompkins saw an opportunity to expand the county’s inmate work program by establishing a pheasant program in Allegany County. Planning began that year with the goal of raising and releasing pheasants in time for the 2008 hunting season.
Our Purpose
Four goals were established to guide the new program:
- Provide inmate work opportunities through raising and releasing pheasants.
- Create a positive economic impact within Allegany County.
- Provide educational opportunities for area students.
- Establish an independent board to oversee fundraising, release sites and promotion.
Program Began
2007
Planning began for the first pheasant raising and release season.
Key Milestones
2008
The Allegany County Pheasant Program Board was established, and inmates constructed the program’s first 80′ x 140′ flight pen. With support from the W.N.Y. Safari Club Chapter, approximately 250 seven-week-old pheasants were obtained for raising and release.
Approximately 230 pheasants were raised and released at sites in Hanging Bog, New Hudson and Wellsville. BOCES Summer Youth Program students also helped construct a storage shed for the pheasant and garden programs.
2009
The program continued to expand in 2009 with the construction of a second 80′ x 140′ flight pen and a 16′ x 24′ brood house, preparting the program to begin raising pheasants from day-old chicks.
Approximately 570 mature pheasants were raised and released across roughly 1,500 acres in Allegany County. Partnerships with BOCES programs also gave area students opportunities to participate in the program.
2010
The program significantly expanded its pheasant-raising operation in 2010. Inmates completed the interior of the brood house, installed the necessary equipment and constructed two additional flight pens. Approximately 750 day-old chicks arrived in April, followed by another 790 in June.
As the birds matured, they were moved from the brood house to the outdoor flight pens in preparation for release. During the 2010-11 season, the program released approximately 2,021 pheasants across 10 release areas in Allegany County.
2011
Sheriff Whitney took office in January 2011 and continued the county’s support of the Allegany County Pheasant Program. Due to limited funds, the board reduced the number of day-old chicks raised that year, receiving two batches of approximately 550 chicks were received from the NYSDEC game farm.
Approximately 760 pheasants at seven locations for the 2011-2012 hunting season, with stocking completed before the regular firearms deer season.
2012
Following several successful fundraisers in 2011, the board was able to increase the number of pheasants raised for the following season. Approximately 750 day- old chicks arrived in April, followed by another 750 arriving in June.
The birds were raised in the brood house and flight pens before release. Approximately 1,039 pheasants were released at six locations during the 2012-2013 hunting season.