Huns

Just wondering why there is no effort to increase Hun numbers. I have seen eggs and chicks for sale on many game bird sites, you would think that some organization would start a re-introduction or at least a release program?

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Originally Posted by Cass

Just wondering why there is no effort to increase Hun numbers. I have seen eggs and chicks for sale on many game bird sites, you would think that some organization would start a re-introduction or at least a release program?

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It would be nice if Ontario Huns lived in more than just the stories of old timers, but in terms of re-introduction or rehabilitation of upland birds I'd think there would be higher priorities:

1. Ruffed Grouse (southern Ontario) - native species
2. Bobwhite Quail - native species
3. Ring-necked Pheasant - non-native species
4. Hungarian Partridge - non-native species

The common denominator negatively affecting all of the above is lack of suitable habitat. Unless its a put and take hunt, there's no sense throwing birds on the landscape without habitat. Habitat takes money and money takes government support. As we've seen with pheasants, its hard for organizations if the Province is not a willing partner. Ontario is too committed to subsidizing wind turbines and solar panels to find spare change for hunting opportunities for non-native species.

Geez I sound like a negative bastard! :)

Besides the lack of habitat, pen raised birds are not hardwired for survival, like a wild bird,there's a couple of sportsmans club down this way that has been releasing a couple thousand ringnecks every year for the hunt in Oct. and very few if any survive to see the next year, it would have to be trapped wild birds relocated to have any chance to come back, like what was done with the wild turkeys.

I have to disagree about pen raised birds not making it. I spent some time in Kentucky at an early release quail operation. When the quail were initially released they were pretty stupid. After about 3 days the weak ones died or were picked off by predators but the ones left over became spooky and acted like wild birds. All through the summer last year quail stayed and survived on the property with chicks observed during the previous spring. I don't think you need wild birds to reintroduce a population, with the right habitat, healthy pen raised birds can be the basis for a wild population. The biggest issue is habitat the second being the MNR.

Huns and quail pretty fragile for reduced habitat,weather,ice ect.If the grouse,woodcock and pheasants don't do so well lately.Then huns and quail would be much worse off.So $ for them not the best use of funds.As much as we would all love to have a huntable population of them.

I think in Ontario we are extremely shortchanged as far as upland initiatives go. The States seem to really work on helping their upland species with things like Pheasants Forever and big habitat reconstruction for birds. I know its hard to get people to help out but I'm sure people would - I know I sure would. If not for huns then for grouse or pheasants or bobwhites. The MNR only steps in once a species has been extinct from an area for awhile before reintroducing them instead of helping struggling populations and stopping it from happening.

You will expect high mortality on pen raised birds. If you actually expect to establish a population, you have to take that high mortality into account and close hunting until the population is stabilized. But the key problem throughout much of southern Ontario is simply a lack of habitat.

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You will expect high mortality on pen raised birds. If you actually expect to establish a population, you have to take that high mortality into account and close hunting until the population is stabilized. But the key problem throughout much of southern Ontario is simply a lack of habitat. "

Well said.
Also predators.The winters(except this one..:-(...)have been more moderate for years since "back in the day".
As my dad said."the birds were numerous when I was a kid because we could allow few predators.Before birds of prey were protected and fur was valuable everyone was after those animals and birds taking thier chickens because they needed them.So with new laws and reduced fur harvest something has to give.That and habitat reduction is the only difference since I was a kid.The weather is easier now".
So I took up turkey,goose and coyote hunting instead of upland game:-(

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Originally Posted by welsh

You will expect high mortality on pen raised birds. If you actually expect to establish a population, you have to take that high mortality into account and close hunting until the population is stabilized. But the key problem throughout much of southern Ontario is simply a lack of habitat.

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Yes and also the fact that much of Southern Ontario habitat is private property. So tax money invested by the MNR would not necessarily benefit many people without private land access. You could be spending money creating a private shooting club/oppurtunity.

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Originally Posted by terrym

Yes and also the fact that much of Southern Ontario habitat is private property. So tax money invested by the MNR would not necessarily benefit many people without private land access. You could be spending money creating a private shooting club/oppurtunity.

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That says it right there , private property and ideal habitat and lots of it just do not go hand in hand.