Reynolds Game Farm Will Not Be Closed

Aubertine, Valesky, sportsmen worked with Governor to save pheasant farm

WATERTOWN (January 16, 2009)—State Sen. Darrel J. Aubertine today thanked Gov. David A. Paterson for reversing a decision to close the Reynolds Game Farm and instead explore new funding options to preserve the program.

"I’m extremely pleased that Gov. Paterson has reconsidered a move that would have ended the pheasant propagation program in New York State," Sen. Aubertine said. "I want to thank him for listening to me, Sen. Valesky and the scores of sportsmen from across this state who spoke out on this issue. Closing the game farm would not have helped us close our budget gap and might well have reduced the revenue generated by hunting licenses and even tourism."

Sens. Aubertine and David J. Valesky wrote the governor in December to express their adamant opposition to closing the Reynolds Game Farm, criticizing flawed cost savings assumptions and a flawed decision making process that did not include input from the Legislature. The governor’s office had initially said the birds would be slaughtered, but that never happened, giving these lawmakers and sportsmen time to have the decision reversed.

"We’ve been in conversations with the DEC and the Governor for the past month and this is a win not only for the hunters of this state, but the state as a whole," Sen. Aubertine said. "I’d also like to thank DEC Commissioner Pete Grannis for his work and his recognition of how important this stocking program is."

Former Assemblyman and chair of the Assembly Subcommittee on Wildlife Management Dick Smith of Erie County, an avid hunter and fisherman and member of several sportsmen’s groups including Bison City Rod & Gun Club and the New York State Conservation Council said: "I want to applaud Sen. Aubertine and Sen. Valesky for their efforts in working with Gov. Paterson and his administration to protect the game farm. This program is very important to hunters across the state and these lawmakers have worked with sportsmen and the governor to find an alternative to eliminating it altogether."

Bill Stage, a hunter and member of the Sackets Harbor Sportsmen’s Club said: "This helped out a whole bunch of sportsmen in Northern New York. I’m very happy and very pleased it’s been reinstated. I’m thankful for the representation we’ve received from Sen. Aubertine and Sen. Valesky on this issue. Without their pressure I’m not sure we would have seen this happen.