MONTOUR FALLS, N.Y. (WENY) -- Wild Pheasant populations in New York State are at all-time lows while hunting of pheasants remains a storied tradition in New York State. The Cornell Cooperative Extension of Schuyler County along with DEC are looking to boost pheasant numbers through a rearing program.

The Cooperative Day-old Pheasant Chick Program (DOCP) is a DEC program where people can get day old pheasant chicks to raise and release to the wild once they reach eight weeks of age.

The program open to individuals that are capable of raising pheasant chicks, which come from the state-operated Richard E. Reynolds Game Farm located near Ithaca. This is the state's only pheasant production facility, where about 40,000 chicks are being hatched so they can be distributed to qualified volunteers statewide, and then released to public hunting lands. 

"I think a lot of this program is really much greater in scale than hunting. This program is enjoyable and challenging for youth to learn. about animal husbandry, learn about habitat and the importance that habitat is when it comes to creatures of all types," said Ryan Staychock, an environmental and natural resources educator with the Cornell Cooperative Extension.

For those interested in participating in the program -- the Schuyler County Cornell Cooperative extension is hosting a workshop at 6 pm on Monday at the human services complex in Montour Falls.