Louise Fiorillo, DFG special hunts coordinator in Long Beach, said funds from the state Game Bird Heritage Program, obtained through upland game bird hunting stamp sales, are dedicated to purchase 4,000 farm-raised Chinese ring-necked pheasants for this year's special hunts to be conducted at rural locations in Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, Riverside, San Diego, and Imperial counties.

"Due to the tremendous public response to last year's program, we increased the year-2000 bird allotment by 1,000 pheasants," Fiorillo said. The boost in bird numbers will allow 2,000 shooters to take part in this year's hunts, providing two rooster pheasants per hunter.

Geared primarily to new hunters, Fiorillo said the free special events are also intended to encourage the return of former upland game bird hunters, and provide opportunities for family groups to pass along traditional hunting values.

Hunts are divided into three categories; 45 family pheasant hunts, 12 junior hunts, and four special women's hunts added for the first time ever this year.

Applications can be obtained from the department by telephone and mail. Just telephone (562) 590-5100 and request a special pheasant hunt application and instructions. Also available in person or by mail, applications can be obtained at Fish and Game Southern California headquarters, 330 Golden Shore Blvd. #50, Long Beach CA 90802, or via the department web page at www.dfg.ca.gov.

To be eligible for free, special pheasant hunt random drawings, adult applicants must have a current, valid California Hunting License, and applications must be received by Fish and Game no later than Friday, Sept. 1.

Newly licensed California hunters who received hunter education certificates this year (and their guests) can obtain a one-time only, new-hunter preference for a hunt of choice, and thereby bypass the drawing by submitting their Pheasant Hunt Redemption Certificate received at the conclusion of each hunter education course, along with an application.