Did you Know?

            In the spring of 1915, the Pennsylvania Game Commission for the first time released 2,096 pheasants in the state.  During the fall hunting season of 1915, 796 birds were reported harvested.  The Game Commission continued stocking farm-raised pheasant with a gradual increase in numbers each year.  By 1938, the game commission had raised and stocked 60,122 birds.  During the hunting season of 1938-39, an unbelievable 517,280 pheasants were reported as harvested.  Almost 9 times the amount of birds released were being harvested.  At that time, the PA Game Commission made a practice of releasing birds in the spring so many of these released birds could have been nesting successfully.  It was also noted by this time most of the restocking efforts were taking place in areas other than the southeast and southwest as these areas were experiencing over population by wild bird propagation.  In addition to the releasing of farm-raised birds, there were trap and transfer efforts taking place to help even out the states pheasant population. 

            It is Bedford-Fulton Pheasants Forever's goal to restore this area to 1938 pheasant numbers.  We plan to do this by habitat improvement and public awareness.  It is a challenging goal, but it is an achievable one, and in the process all wildlife will benefit.