HARRISBURG — Outdoors organizations with approved propagation facilities can augment local ring-necked pheasant stockings and increase recreational hunting opportunities by raising day-old pheasant chicks supplied free by the Pennsylvania Game Commission.

Applications can be downloaded from the agency's website www.pgc.state.pa.us. In order for game farm superintendents to plan and set hatches to accommodate requests, the Bureau of Wildlife Management must receive completed applications by March 31.

To be eligible to receive pheasant chicks, an organization is required to have a minimum of 25 square feet of covered pen space available per bird. In addition, 72 square inches of floor space per chick is recommended in the brooder building.

All expenses will be the responsibility of the club. All pheasants propagated by organizations must be released on lands open to public hunting.