To the benefit of hunters and conservation, the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources has extended longer hours for wild turkey hunting starting next spring.
That announcement came today from Natural Resources Minister, David Ramsay, after accepting recommendations of the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters, the organization that originally founded the province’s wild turkey reintroduction program about 20 years ago with the M.N.R.
“It’s not every day we hear the government announce new hunting opportunities and, clearly, the government listened to the wishes of the O.F.A.H.,” said Terry Quinney, O.F.A.H. Provincial Manager of Fish and Wildlife Services. “Turkey hunters are pleased about more time in the field with this magnificent game bird that now thrives in Ontario,” he said.
Quinney added that Ontario’s Wild Turkey Working Group, an independent technical advisory group, also endorsed the O.F.A.H. proposal for longer turkey hunting. Starting in April 2005, wild turkey hunting may take place from half an hour before sunrise to 7 p.m.
The return of the wild turkey is considered one of North America’s greatest success stories, with the population now estimated at 50,000 in Ontario.