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Restoration of Wild Turkey in Huron County |
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Here's some information about Ontario's Wild Turkey reintroduction efforts and a January 2002 release in Huron County.
- The January release of wild turkeys in Huron County is a significant event because it marks the completion of the restoration of the species in this area under Ontario's Wild Turkey Restoration Program.
- Small transfers by local organizations may continue for another year, but the Ministry of Natural Resources considers wild turkey are now restored to their native range within the county.
- Future management efforts will be directed at improving wild turkey habitat and managing the population to ensure sustainable harvests.
- The wild turkey is native to Ontario, but disappeared at the turn of the century due to habitat destruction and unregulated hunting. Similar extirpation (extinction within a geographic area) occurred in many northeastern US states.
- Early attempts to repopulate suitable habitat with game farm-produced birds were unsuccessful. The birds never developed the instincts necessary to survive on their own.
- A new approach was adopted using wild birds in a trap, transfer and release program. The program had three main goals - restoration of part of our natural heritage, provision of hunting and viewing recreation, and deriving economic benefits from these recreational opportunities.
- From 1984-87, 274 birds were obtained from 6 states in the US, and released at 6 locations in southern Ontario. The wild birds were captured over bait, using rocket-propelled nets, brought into the province and then released at appropriate habitat sites.
- After those initial releases, the province in partnership with other organizations began trapping its own birds, and over the past 16 years, we have been successful in relocating over 3000 birds to 190 sites. In the past two years, we have received a further 600 birds from the states of New York, Michigan, and Tennessee to help broaden the gene pool.
- Of the birds released on January 18th in Huron County nine were from Tennessee and five were from a site in Ontario near Midhurst. Three more birds were released at the same site a week later. Of the 17 birds released, five were males and twelve were females.
- As of 2002 Ontario’s wild turkey population is estimated at more than 35,000 birds, and growing. This is due in part to the fact that wild turkey habitat is likely of better quality and more abundant than it was in the early 1900s.
- Wild Turkeys now occupy 15,000 sq. miles in southern Ont., which is about 75% of their suitable range.
- In 1987, wild turkey hunting seasons were first established in three Wildlife Management Units. By 1990, 16 Wildlife Management Units had spring turkey seasons. Last year wild turkey hunting seasons were open in all, or part, of 61 Wildlife Management Units in southern Ontario.
- Wild turkey harvests in Ontario have grown steadily from 64 birds taken during the first spring season, to a record of 3,496 birds harvested in 2001. Approximately 20 per cent of hunters who purchased a turkey licence in 2001 were successful in bagging one or more wild turkeys.
- In 2001, more than 15,000 wild turkey licences were sold in Ontario - 15 per cent of these were second licences purchased by hunters. Wild turkey licence sales have been increasing by about 20 per cent annually.
- Wild turkey licence sales contributed more than $290,000 to the Special Purpose Account in 2001, which helps pay for Ontario’s fish and wildlife management program. In 2000, turkey hunters contributed over $7.4 million to the Gross Provincial Economy.
- The public can assist Ontario’s Wild Turkey Restoration Program by reporting any wild turkeys they see or informing their local ministry office of any wing tag that comes into their possession. This information is of great value in monitoring the survival of the birds and their dispersal to new areas. Annual movements of 12-15 miles are not uncommon with this species. Suspected poaching activity should also be reported immediately.
- The January 18, 2002 release was made possible through a partnership between a number of key groups. The Ministry of Natural Resources, the National Wild Turkey Federation Canada (NWTF) and the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters are the main organizations. Their efforts are aided by a large number of game and fish clubs as well as the local NWTF chapter, the Huron Perth Wild Turkey Association.
- Taking part in the release were the grade 5 and 6 classes from Brussels Public School, grades 6, 7 and 8 from Grey Central School and several students from Seaforth Public School. The Huron Stewardship Council donated the busing costs. Also present were several members of each of the Huron Perth Wild Turkey Association and the Huron Stewardship Council, representatives of the National Wild Turkey Federation from both Canada and the United States and Ken Kelly, representing Huron - Bruce MPP Helen Johns.
- For more information contact Mike Malhiot by phone at 519-482-3601 or email.
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MNR Biologist Mike Malhiot (on the right) holds a mature tom (male), while US National Wild Turkey Federation biologist Joel Pederson (on the left) holds a hen (female). The two birds were briefly removed from their shipping containers so students could have a close-up look at the turkeys and view characteristics such as spurs, beards, colouration, etc. Note the red colouration of the male's head compared to the more subdued colours on the female's head.
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| The large tom wastes no time in heading for cover when Mike releases him into his new habitat.
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| A Tennessee hen bursts from the shipping container with the help of some local students and a member of the Huron Perth Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation. |
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 14 December 2006 )
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