Can I release them to the Wild?

[mrbstephens]

A friend of mine hatched bobwhites and released them to her backyard and woods a few years ago. I'll be renting a bator to hatch a couple of chicken eggs and thought I could add some bobwhite eggs to it. Is it legal to release them to the wild like that?

 

[CoopCrazy]

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You would have to check with your DNR and see if you need permits... most places it is illegal but some do allow as certain number with permits..

 

[mrbstephens]

What's a DNR?

 

[CoopCrazy]

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Department Of Natural Resources.. I would call anonimously though , dont want them snooping around LOL

 

[willkatdawson]

I was wondering the same thing. I started another post yesterday asking if fire ants were the reason I haven't seen any wild bob whites in so many years. The answer was yes as well as coyotes. I wonder if you raised them released them and provided a nest box of sorts would they return and use it if you provided food through out the year?

 

[mrbstephens]

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I think you're supposed to keep them for a certain amount of time before releasing if you want them to stay in the area.

 

[DLS]

They won't survive. I have had escapees live a week or so & thats it. they just won't make it. In georgia you must have a permit to release -They are released to shoot on preservs, once released & not harvested they are just food for the wild preditors or they die on there own

 

[JJMR794]

A little info here...

A. In most states this would be highly illegal unless properly permitted to do so, and even then those permits are not easily obtained

B. In doing this you may innocently be responsible for single-handedly destroying the wild quail population for miles in any direction as very often domestic birds are exposed to illnesses from other domestic fowl, and wether sick from these exposures or not can transmit or carry these to the wild birds they would seek out once released and the wild birds will not have any immunity and would develop the illness and die.... all while continueing its spread. THIS IS THE #1 REASON THAT RELEASE OF DOMESTICALLY RAISED QUIAL IS ILLEGAL IN MOST STATES

C. Raising quail for release in the wild is a specialty and needs to be performed in very certain ways to help ensure their survival once in the wild. If this is your wish and you plan on doing it legally there are some commercial release raisers on here who would most likely be happy to teach you.

Any of your questions and permit applications should be readily handled by your department of natural resources or fish and game enforcement agencies--- start by calling them and go from there--- If you are able to and choose to do this Good luck!

 

[mrbstephens]

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Thank you for this information. I will NOT be hatching quail eggs.

 

[yotetrapper]

but, by the way, DNR in most states = DEC in NY.