The Sullivan County Long Beards Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) and the Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs of Sullivan County hosted their annual Youth Pheasant Hunt this past weekend.  There were four young hunters participating on Saturday and eight on Sunday.  The hunt takes place on an absolutely perfect section of NYC DEP property located in Neversink, NY off Spruce Hill Road.  For those not familiar with it, Spruce Hill Road is the former Road X that is the seasonal-use-only extension of Shields Road.  It’s an annual hunt that tentatively takes place the last weekend in September, so mark your calendars for next year.

The New York State DEC sets the date and supplies the pheasants.  Some member clubs in the Federation also donate birds for the Youth Hunt.  Registration for the hunt must be done through the DEC website ahead of time.  Once in the field, hunters are given a safety lecture and must abide by strict rules to avoid accidents.  There have been no serious incidents in the history of the hunt.  First Aid kits are on site and a Grahamsville First Aid Squad ambulance is stationed there.

Each hunter is allowed two birds and many of them got their limit.  Extra birds can and are used to give additional opportunities to hunters that aren’t successful in their initial attempts.  I’m happy to report that all of the young folks got at least one bird.  A special thank you to the half dozen or so dog handlers for their patience in ensuring the success for all participants.  There were a mix of pointers and flushers and it’s always fun to watch the dogs work the field.

These hunts remind me of the first time I was able to harvest a pheasant on a piece of property under the power lines on Devany Road in Ferndale.  I was 16 or 17 and the DEC had set out some birds.  My friend Eric and I had to chase them around to get them to fly as we had no dog.  I got two on Saturday and one on Sunday.  After I spent a couple hours prepping them, my mother roasted them in the oven with a few strips of bacon put on their skin with toothpicks.  Part way through, she pulled them out and smeared them with apricot jam and put them back in.  I have rarely eaten a meal that good in my life.  There is a reason why Kings have their chefs prepare pheasant-under-glass.

Thanks to all of the volunteers from the Long Beards and the Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs.  Thanks to all the hunters and parents and guardians and to the dog handlers.  Thank you to everyone that donated to the event.  Thanks to the Grahamsville First Aid Squad.  And a special thank you to the NYC DEP and NY DEC for helping to make it happen.

Hope to see everyone there next year.  Enjoy the outdoors!