As the season opens on wild turkeys April 25, residents of southern and central Ontario can expect plentiful hunting and viewing opportunities with these large and colorful birds.
O.F.A.H. biologist Ed Reid notes that a mild winter has helped these reintroduced birds fare extremely well, and, should spring conditions continue to be favorable, the future looks exceptionally bright for wild turkeys.
What is truly remarkable is that wild turkeys disappeared from their native range in Ontario almost 100 years ago, but, through efforts of the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters and several partner groups and agencies, turkeys are, again, a part of our ecosystem, Reid adds.
The wild turkey reintroduction program began in 1984 with a release of 274 birds. After hundreds of similar trap and transfer efforts Ontario birds now number well over 35,000.
Wild turkey reintroduction is a success story marked by devoted volunteers and extraordinary international cooperation. This natural resources legacy will benefit Ontario for generations to come, says Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters Executive Director Mike Reader, whose 83,000-member organization spearheaded the program also involving the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and the National Wild Turkey Federation.
Wild turkeys are an important part of Ontario’s natural biodiversity, but loss of habitat and unregulated commercial hunting wiped out the birds. Biodiversity, which relates to the abundance of different species of plants and animals, is critical to a healthy environment, notes Reid.
This program has also generated awareness of our natural resources and encouraged habitat protection and enhancement. The spin off benefits are enormous with new opportunities for tourism and nature viewing as well as increased hunting opportunities and funding that further aids in the management of natural resources” observes Mr. Reader.
With the Ministry of Natural Resources approving and overseeing the wild turkey reintroduction program, volunteers were recruited and trained to trap wild turkeys in Ontario and initiate releases in areas identified as suitable habitat. Often, landowners and volunteers help enhance turkey habitat with tree and shrub planting programs that also benefit numerous other wildlife species.
The program was considered so successful that in 1987 the province held its first wild turkey hunt in which 64 birds were harvested. Fourteen years later in 2001, more than 15,000 wild turkey licences were sold to generate in excess of $290,000 for wildlife management programs in Ontario. The harvest of 3,496 turkeys in 2001 clearly indicates the hunt is wholly sustainable. In addition, in 1999 turkey hunters in Ontario spent $1.3 million on equipment, accommodation, travel, food and beverages, bringing much needed economic activity to many communities.
All first time turkey hunters in Ontario must successfully complete a wild turkey education safety course. In addition, all hunters in Ontario must now complete hunter and firearms safety courses and tests and purchase hunting and firearms licences.
As Ontario’s wild turkey population grew, trap and transfer efforts became more successful within the province. Throughout the winter of 2001/2002, about 630 birds from Ontario as well from Tennessee (188) and Michigan (50) were trapped and relocated to new areas of Ontario. Trap and transfer of birds has been aided by state agencies and the National Wild Turkey Federation (N.W.T.F.) which has been active in recent years setting up local chapters of volunteers in Ontario and the US.
Trap and transfer is paid for by the Ministry of Natural Resources, O.F.A.H. , the N.W.T.F. and through donations from individuals and local conservation clubs.
This year is the last provincially coordinated trap and transfer effort with releases in 38 areas of Ontario including sites near Ottawa, Cornwall, Pembroke, Amhurstburg, Simcoe, Tweed, Port Perry, Peterborough, Fenelon Falls, Lindsay, Newmarket, Durham, Owen Sound, Clinton, Wingham, Guelph, Kitchener-Waterloo, Elmira, Petrolia, Minden, Kincardine, Port Elgin, Mattawa, Pelee Island, Woodstock, Welland, Fort Erie, Stratford, the Greater Toronto area, Smith’s Falls and St. Thomas.