Pheasant’s forever Ontario

[outdoorlife]

I’d rather see resources directed towards bobwhite quail.

[trkyhntr21]

In my background summary I omitted the most important step before embarking on an introduction: habitat, habitat and more habitat.

The pilot took place in Haldimand-Norfolk. My recollection was it was on the massive rural, undeveloped landholdings of Stelco and OPG which were determined to offer among the best existing habitat in Ontario.

Why did our naturalized birds from the old days all but disappear? Most of those birds were not successfully breeding or surviving, but once upon a time every locality had a fish and game club that received Township License revenues to purchase and release birds. We were throwing a lot of pen-raised birds on the landscape all across southern Ontario for many years. And yes, some pockets hung on (and still do) as small feral breeding populations. Beyond that, name your threat. Primarily habitat loss. Pesticides/herbicides? New predators (or in new numbers) arrived on the scene, such as coyotes and opossums.

Turkeys, for example, were relatively easy. Nothing needed to be done from a habitat stand-point for them to take hold and thrive.

Pheasants, are not so easy. But the same (or similar) habitat conditions needed to sustain pheasants are also much needed for many native species at risk (e.g. meadowlark, bobolink, northern bobwhite) which are supposed to be a Provincial priority. Perhaps that's the driver this time? All speculation until we know more.

Agreed it definitely could be a win win for alot of species and definitely a overlap of needed habitat for quail and pheasant.
Getting sustained commitment of funds over multiple years or decades would definitely help.

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[finsfurfeathers]

I’d rather see resources directed towards bobwhite quail.

That in a nut shell would be the driving force. Was the reason to fund the atlantic salmon program. Should be the hammer to draw government resources to the problem of land management.

[ninepointer]

Since northern bobwhite quail are a species at risk, the Province has a legal commitment to a recovery strategy under the Endangered Species Act. That strategy starts with Walpole Island.

[finsfurfeathers]

Seem to recall reading about their strategy a couple of years ago. Think their goal was doubling the population in 20 years. was it something like 200 birds to 400?. With a rate of recovery like that Don't think my great grandkids will know of them.

[Westernlaw]

Hi all. we are indeed starting resurrecting the Ontario Chapter for Pheasants Forever. We are just in the preliminary stage currently obtaining our Articles of Incorporation and Charter from PF. Ultimately we would like to see the proliferation of land management and friendly habitat for both native species (ie. Bobwhite) and non native upland species (ie. Pheasant) that can one day be used to promote/facilitate sustained populations and hunting opportunities. That is a long road and we to start we will be focusing on building up our presence, membership and funding. Right now we are mainly a group from the younger generations of hunters and anglers but we hope to have interest and support from all segments of the outdoor community. If you are interested in supporting our chapter the first thing you can do is obtain a PF membership. Right now we are working through the Calgary chapter until our chartership is finalized and our website up and running. We look forward to having your support and thank you advance for same.

Link for membership is below.

http://www.pfcalgary.ca/membership/?...Ok-9fv4_zM25M4

[Frank16]

My point exactly! Pheasants forever already tried to reintroduce pheasants to southern Ontario and it failed! I can’t support these groups and groups like the Ruffed Grouse Society. Unless the MNR and these groups collaborate with farmers and property owners and do the same thing as the States. And that is protect habitat for small game I can’t give my support! To me it seems that MNR is more worried about protecting big game than anything else. I raised my concerns to the MNR in the summer and got laughed at. They want to protect game here in Ontario but as a long as one person has a bow tag for deer an infinite amount of people can hunt for that one deer. What chance does the deer population have???
The MNR said that people have bought deer licenses so they can hunt under one tag . So I guess... I have a small game license so let me shoot as many rabbits and grouse as possible?? So stupid!
Anyway ,Ontario hunters need to put there focus on fixing the lack of habitat that is on our Southern Ontario farms
Before thinking about reintroducing any other game.

[Tim Tufts]

Unfortunately since most farms in Southern Ontario are single crop operations (corn & beans) and a large number are owned by multi national's who couldn't care less about anything other than their share holders.
The only saving grace is the growth of the green movement where small farms are being used in a similar fashion to the old family farm my parents and grandparents ran.