State Game Farm Taking Apps for Pheasant Chick Program
Wisconsin conservation clubs have until March 5 to apply to participate in a program where clubs help the Department of Natural Resources rear pheasant chicks from the State Game Farm for later release on public and private hunting lands. The Cooperative Day-old Chick Program has been in place since 1936 to increase opportunities for pheasant hunting across the state. Under the program, cooperating conservation clubs are provided day-old rooster pheasant chicks hatched at the State Game Farm near Poynette. In return, the clubs agree to cover all costs related to rearing, feeding, maintaining and properly caring for the pheasant chicks.
The pheasants are later released near the club on private and state-owned lands that are open to public pheasant hunting.
"This program is an excellent opportunity to provide pheasant hunting opportunities in addition to the department's public hunting ground pheasant stocking program," says State Game Farm Manager Bob Nack. "We really enjoy working with clubs on this."
The program includes a cost-share option that allows cooperating clubs to keep a high percentage of the pheasants they raise for their own use, while returning a percentage of the birds back to the state.
For more information about the program, call 608-635-8120.
