Could changes to the Hullet pheasant hunt bring out it’s potential?

One Pheasant Challenge Ticket could be $20, $30, even $50.
This would qualify the hunter to receive the committed release schedule.

Five roosters total for the season could be banded.
All five successful hunters receive a decent prize donated by a local sponsor.

At seasons end all five hunters names go into a draw for a substantial prize such as a mid grade shotgun and a guided waterfowl hunt.....for example.

Bird Quality could be a focus, less focus on quantity at first until funding improves.
Nice mature birds raised elsewhere that act wild, fly strong and naturally run and hide.
The result is more use out of each bird. A wary bird from good stock raised properly will flush strong often from a distance and run hard....offering a greater number of hunter encounters.
Hullet has the habitat to support smart birds throughout the hunting season.

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Originally Posted by Mount Sweetness

What if the 5 release dates were scheduled and available to hunters if they purchased a Pheasant Challenge ticket? The purchase could be done online and the schedule would be sent in return. The cost of the Pheasant Challenge tickets could be raised, even doubled.
Less birds could be banded, for example 1 banded bird per release on a big rooster and the prizes could be slightly more substantial.
This way hunters could plan ahead and even schedule a few days off work to enjoy the hunt.
It could even boost the local economy in Clinton/Goderich etc....hunters could stay overnight a day or two at the local hotels.

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Strongly not in favor with this as it'll turn it back into the mad rush to out do the other guy competition brings out the worst in people. Seems what you want is a private pheasant release and their already exist that think Exeter is a close one.

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Originally Posted by FOH

We are not law enforcement but do think that individuals are allowed to release their own birds (10 bird limit?) for training and hunting purposes...is this a fact?

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Trying to get confirmation on this. Private no problem can release up to 10 chucker or 10 pheasants without MNR permits but have to follow local hunting regulations. Contacted MNR vineland requesting permission/permit/ to release at Hullet they said it was up to Manager at Hullet tried to get confirmation from Hullet and they said it was up to MNR and around and around it went. Would be great if MNR and Hullet could get together and resolve this issue. That way nothing really has to change and there would be no increased cost administering any other option.
Basically those that measure a good hunt by the number of birds can release their own otherwise leave as.

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Originally Posted by finsfurfeathers

Strongly not in favor with this as it'll turn it back into the mad rush to out do the other guy competition brings out the worst in people. Seems what you want is a private pheasant release and their already exist that think Exeter is a close one.



Trying to get confirmation on this. Private no problem can release up to 10 chucker or 10 pheasants without MNR permits but have to follow local hunting regulations. Contacted MNR vineland requesting permission/permit/ to release at Hullet they said it was up to Manager at Hullet tried to get confirmation from Hullet and they said it was up to MNR and around and around it went. Would be great if MNR and Hullet could get together and resolve this issue. That way nothing really has to change and there would be no increased cost administering any other option.
Basically those that measure a good hunt by the number of birds can release their own otherwise leave as.

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Most pheasant hunters are very grateful to have an opportunity to hunt our large grassland landscape. What we hear all the time from them is that getting a bird or 2 is just a bonus but working their dogs is what they cherish at Hullett. As for quantity, Exeter Game farm is a good local place to hunt.

Maybe contacting a CO to find out if you can release your own birds (up to 10) at Hullett as in a private land situation will answer this question. We are reluctant to advise as as we are not law enforcement. We have also had trouble getting answers from Vineland in the past. If it is legal FOH would not have a problem with this. We often see chukars on the property but do not release any.

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Originally Posted by FOH

Most pheasant hunters are very grateful to have an opportunity to hunt our large grassland landscape. What we hear all the time from them is that getting a bird or 2 is just a bonus but working their dogs is what they cherish at Hullett.
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That's the reason I get up to Hullet dogs have enough room to work all day. Hard to get the same landscape hunting private.

That's why hey call it "hunting" if you want a guarantee go to a game farm. If it isn't broke don't mess with it.

We all love the pheasant hunting at Hullet, it’s an incredible landscape, dreamy pheasant habitat and so well groomed, we are Very appreciative.
Appreciation can only go so far.
We need to be responsible and look at improvements.
Specifically improvements that will bring better Funding.

Every year we hear that the pheasant release program is severely underfunded.

If it ain’t broke, don’t mess with it.
The current system is broke.
Broke by $7000 annually.

I have listed a few suggestions.
What are your suggestions?

Financial Report:Ryan reported that revenue is up, though we have a decrease in grants.Expenses are also up at this time.Our surplus is less this year, but healthy.There have been no major purchases.We are looking at some replacement of equipment. We expect an $8,000 -$9,000 deficit reduction.

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Originally Posted by Mount Sweetness

One Pheasant Challenge Ticket could be $20, $30, even $50.
This would qualify the hunter to receive the committed release schedule..

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So now someone knows the release schedule how are you going to keep him from telling 2 friends and they tell 2 friends and now you got A crush of people trying to beat the next guy to the released birds. How have you improved the experience? I just see over crowding issues.


[QUOTE=Five roosters total for the season could be banded.
All five successful hunters receive a decent prize donated by a local sponsor.

At seasons end all five hunters names go into a draw for a substantial prize such as a mid grade shotgun and a guided waterfowl hunt.....for example..[/QUOTE]

I don't hunt Hullet for prizes really do we want it to be a game show? Bottom line a ticket purchased is a pheasant released rather see the sponsors donate more pheasants and keep the prizes

[QUOTE=Bird Quality could be a focus, less focus on quantity at first until funding improves.
Nice mature birds raised elsewhere that act wild, fly strong and naturally run and hide.
The result is more use out of each bird. A wary bird from good stock raised properly will flush strong often from a distance and run hard....offering a greater number of hunter encounters.
Hullet has the habitat to support smart birds throughout the hunting season.[/QUOTE]

This one I really don't get your initial complaint was you didn't find pheasants when you were out so you want to put fewer birds?
Now if you said maybe a 2 limit on rooster and 0 hens that way you can spread out the birds amongst the hunters while still having hens to provide bird contacts, problem is administrative cost just sky rocketed
Again most cost effective way to guarantee bird contact big old sign posted BYOP...Bring your own pheasants or buy your tickets.

Open to all suggestions.
Not looking to agrue or be ridiculed.
Trying to brainstorm some ideas, if you have some ideas please post them. Thanks

How much does it cost to buy a farm raised bird? Lets say it's legal to release at hullett. How long between release and when you start your hunt? How about when your finishing a coffee before your hunt and another guy walks into the field and starts shooting "your" birds? Not his fault, it's public hunting.

Donations yes, personally releasing birds.....no!

Now if I could release rabbits, different story.. You can produce a lot more rabbits a year then Pheasants.