Outdoors with Larry DiDonato - 5 January 2024

Catskill Pheasantry; A Great Place to Hunt Year-Round

 Like Christmas, deer season comes just once a year. The last opportunity to go deer hunting upstate ends with the close of the “Holiday Hunt.” It opens every year on the day after Christmas and closes on January 1st. The “Holiday Hunt” was a Christmas present from DEC back in 2021. It was given to hunters who just don’t want to stop deer hunting in the Southern Zone. After the brief deer hunting hiatus after the close of the late “bow-muzz” season, the Holiday Hunt gives lucky recipients of great Christmas gifts a chance to try out their new bows, crossbows, and muzzleloaders. 

But, while all good things must come to an end even for big and small game hunters in NY, Catskill Pheasantry, in Long Eddy, NY offers hunting opportunities all year long.

Those who don’t want to put away their guns, dogs, and ammo, even after the close of regular small game seasons, should consider hunting at the Catskill Pheasantry Hunting Preserve in Delaware County. They are open year-round and offer a variety of hunting and non-hunting experiences. Catskill Pheasantry is a DEC Licensed Class A Shooting Preserve. As such, you can hunt ringed neck pheasant and chukar partridge all year long. They offer extremely flexible hunting and shooting options. You can hunt pheasants and chukar with or a without a guide, bring your own dogs or use theirs, do a day trip, or stay at their lodge or nicely appointed cabins, complete with wood stove and electric heat. You can do self-guided sporting clays at one of several different stand configurations or arrange expert shotgun shooting instruction by appointment. While there, feel free to use their rifle and pistol range. They sell target/skeet loads, but you are welcome to provide your own ammo. Catskill Pheasantry also sells ringed neck pheasants and chukar partridge for off-premises hunts to individuals and clubs who possess a valid NYS DEC Liberation Permit. In fact, they provide the birds for the Annual Greene County Federation Youth Pheasant Hunt.    

They even offer opportunities to hunt white tailed deer on their 600-acre property if you choose. Of course, deer hunting at Catskill Pheasantry only takes place during the normal established seasons set by DEC. 

Their brochure lists them as a premier shotgun shooting facility and a licensed upland bird hunting preserve. I can personally attest it is that and much more. The cabins are warm and comfortable, nestled in the picturesque landscape of the scenic foothills of the Catskill Mountains. If you want to get away from it all, this is the place. Located at 374 Neer Road in the tiny hamlet of Long Eddy, NY 12760, the nearest towns are Hancock and East Branch. So, if you’re into premier trout fishing, you have easy access to the main stem as well as the East Branch of the Delaware River. Not to mention the many smaller trout streams that serve as tributaries to the Delaware and its tailwaters. What’s great about the folks who run Catskill Pheasantry is that it is not only reasonably priced, but offers a laid-back atmosphere with very flexible lodging, hunting, and shooting, options. John, the proprietor, can help tailor the perfect hunting or even non-hunting experience for you and a buddy or for larger groups. Catskill Pheasantry hosts all manner of small and large group outings from daytrips and weekend getaways for the guys or gals, to business gatherings and major fundraising events. So, if you just want to do some shooting, hunt pheasant and chukar any day of the year, or organize a unique family, corporate, or fund-raising event in the beautiful Catskill Mountains, give John at Catskill Pheasantry a call. He can be reached at 845-887-4487. By the way, if you want a great gift idea for the hunter or shotgun enthusiast on your list, consider a gift certificate to Catskill Pheasantry. John will be happy to help, and your lucky recipient will not be disappointed!  

Happy New Year and happy hunting, fishing and trapping until next time!