Maybe I could release some bobwhite quail into the wild?

[pringle]

I dont know even if its legal here but maybe I can release some northern bobwhite quail here in MA.They are from lake cumberland game birds,they say they are like the ones from the wild and do great when you realease them.I have a swamp out back were there are too many insects,I also have several creeks running threw my area and some large fields less then a mile away.There are not too many predators since I trap the ones I can.Do you think this is okay for bobwhites?

 

[bryan8]

The winters might kill them off...

 

[pringle]

Ya your right better not risk it.

 

[JJMR794]

In Many States This Is Absolutely Illegal!!!!!!!! This Infraction Comes Under Fish And Game Or Dnr--- And They Have No Sense Of Humor Whatsoever! If Caught They'd Do Stuff To You That Would Make The Penalty For Being The King Of Crack Dealers In Your State Pale In Comparison--- I Know It Doesnt Make Sense, But Its Always Been That Way With Fish And Game. And Depending On Some Variables It May Be A Federal Offense--- Us Fish And Game--- Which Is Worse.

There Are Many Reasons For This Reaction, Tho Some May Seem Small And Insignificant.

1. Non Indigenous Speces Can Have Catastrophic Effects On Ecosystems

2. The Bird You Release Can Endanger Wild Quail By Introducing Disease They Have No Resistance For.... By Hybridizing With The Wild Quail.... By Colonizing And Competing With The Wild Quail For Limited Resources

3. These Are Farm/ Hand Raised Birds--- They Are Not Wild Quail. They Are A Domesticated Genetically Manipulated Speces---- They May Not Tolerate The Weather In The Wild, They May Starve To Death For Lack Of Foraging Instinct, And They Will Likely End Up On Someone's Dinner List No Matter What--- They Arent Imprinted To Run/ Hide For Survival--- More Than Likely Your Neighbor's Cat Will Enjoy Them. Or The Coyote Or Coon Population, Oh And The Hawks Will Love You Forever And Ever Too...

Always Check With Fish And Game Before Releasing Anything Into The Wild---- If Its Not Approved For Release Then I'm Sure They Can Help You Find An Appropriate Home For Them.

 

[JJMR794]

For The Record=== I Dont Agree Or Disagree With The Legal Glitch Described In My Last Post Here---- But I Do Know What Fish And Game Will Likely Do To You If Its Illegal And You Get Caught..... So These Posts Are Simply For General Information For All Who Read Them.

 

[Laurieks]

wouldn't it be nice if Fish & Game would work with you on what would be best to release to help with the bugs?

Some places recommend putting up bat houses to encourage the wild bats to stay around... bats eat a lot of bugs

 

[JJMR794]

Bats And Purple Martens And Guineas For Bugs--- Bobs Eat Mostly Grains And Vegatable Matter More So Than Bugs. The Mearns (or Montezuma) Quail Are Bug Eaters--- Its 1 Of Things That Makes 'em Hard To Raise

So Your Bobs Would More Than Likely End Up Hanging Around The Edges Of Those Fields Down The Road. Turkeys Are Pretty Bang Up Bug Controllers--- If Thats A Wish Check With Fish And Game And See If You Can Raise And Release Them? Or Just Have A Rabid Pack Of Guineas Runnin Wild--- During The Day And Comin Home To Roost At Night

 

[CoyoteMagic]

Fish and games isn't real big on the release of captive raised turkeys either. I read in one of the breeder mags that sells them that they can't even sell the eggs to NC.

If your bobs have a tendency to "escape" into the wilds there are a few things you can do to help them survive.

1. House them in a way that they very little contact with humans or other animals. Those that have a lot of contact come not to fear humans or other animals that could eat them. A Johnny House is good to raise field birds as is a flight pen with raised sides that nothing can see in and they can't see out.

2. Provide range feeders for at least the first winter. "Escape" birds tend to do better if they are nearly full grown 14-16weeks. It's best for them to "escape" in late spring or early summer so that they can find shelter and a source of food

I've had 6 covey's escape that are doing pretty well in NE North Carolina

 

[kingmt]

Here a escape is as bad as a release. You have to contact DNR immediately & in most cases pay someone else to come shoot them. A recall pen or shooting them yourself isn't a option. However you can get a permit to release them if they are native, not invasive, or a controlled population.