Action Alerts From Animal Defenders of Westchester (ADOW)


IMPORTANT: CONTACT LEGISLATORS RE NYS PHEASANT BILL

From: Animal Defenders of Westchester (ADOW)
February 24, 2025

Assemblymember Linda Rosenthal has introduced a bill to stop the NYS Dept of Environmental Conservation-run yearly Pheasant hunt (A508). https://nyassembly.gov/leg/?default_fld=%0D%0A&leg_video=&bn=A00508&term=2023
&Summary=Y&Actions=Y&Committee%26nbspVotes=Y&Memo=Y

Prohibits the state's participation in artificial pheasant propagation activities; closes any state-owned or operated pheasant production facility.

This bill would prohibit NYS from raising pheasants for hunting. The bill would close state-owned pheasant production facilities and stop using state funds for pheasant rearing. ADOW and other groups have been challenging this event, which is little more than a state-run canned hunt.

Some Arguments for the bill

  • The bill would end state-sponsored cruelty to animals.
  • The program doesn't serve a conservation purpose.
  • Funds should be redirected to conservation projects.
  • The practice of releasing pen-raised pheasants for hunting is unfair and unsporting.

Hunter Arguments against the bill

  • The bill would harm New York's conservation framework.
  • It would leave New York's youth with fewer outdoor opportunities.
  • Pen-raised pheasants can help aspiring hunters learn about pheasants.

**This bill is in the Environmental Conservation Committee and needs to be voted out of committee. PLEASE POLITELY ASK CHAIR DEBORAH GLICK AND MEMBERS OF THIS COMMITTEE TO VOTE THIS GREAT BILL OUT OF COMMITTEE AND PUT A STOP TO THIS BLATANT CRUELTY:

A list of En Con members with email addresses can be found here:

https://assembly.state.ny.us/comm/?sec=mem&id=15#:~:text=Deborah%20J.,District%2075

**ALSO: PLEASE ASK YOUR NYS REPS TO CO-SPONSOR THIS EXCELLENT BILL! FIND YOUR LEGISLATORS HERE; If you are a NYS resident pls state it.

https://secure.aspca.org/legislator-lookup

The NY Times ran an article about this activity in December:

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/29/nyregion/new-york-pheasant-stocking-bill.html

ADOW published a letter in the NY Daily News:

https://www.nydailynews.com/2022/04/14/readers-sound-off-on-birth-behind-bars-concealed-weapons-and-canned-hunts/

Tuckahoe, N.Y.: Assemblymember Linda Rosenthal has introduced NYS Bill A01388 against an abhorrent practice by the state Department of Environmental Conservation, which holds canned hunts of pheasants. These are non-native birds with limited survival skills. They are raised as chicks, nurtured and hand-fed by anyone answering the DEC’s open call. As a result of being packed into crates for transport to the hunt, many birds arrive with broken wings and other injuries. Some participants kick the birds to make them fly in order to kill them. Hunters are informed beforehand when and where this release will be held. The DEC also holds a youth hunt of these birds, who consider people their friends. Is this really the best the DEC can do with state tax funds? Even other hunters denounce this unethical non-sport, which is just releasing tame animals in front of shooters. Kiley Blackman

Video of the NYS Pheasant hunt:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZNpRAaTyhrc

Thank you as always for being their voice ~~Animal Defenders of Westchester

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