Every state that allows the propagation of EW's makes it illegal to release the birds into the wild. Yet I can release bobwhite quail on my property under a retriever training permit, with no concern about what race of bobwhites, and how they may affect wild populations. Truth is, and from the mouths of every wildlife biologist I've spoken to, the captive released birds just don't have what it takes to make it in the wild, turkey, quail or pheasant, and frankly the risk of disease is minimal at best. Even a sick individual released will probably not survive a day without being the victim of a predator. Here in Maryland you need to keep accurate records of each individual, how it was sold or disposed of and send in the reports at permit renewal.
Most Natural Resource Dept's are so stretched thin, that who has what is not high on the list of priorities. Poaching is their #1 law enforcement concern and that seems like a loosing battle with the # of officers that are on active patrol. If I lived in a state that didn't permit eastern wilds in captivity, I certainly wouldn't sell or even advertize their sale to the public.
Genetically, the game farm wilds that the hatcheries sell have standard bronze or Nittany turkey in their lines and are not considered pure. Nittany's are a gamefarm variety that was developed back in Pennsylvania during the 40's. The pure birds are a whole different animal, in plumage, anatomical proportions, and temperment. Biologists have determined that even if a hatchery bird bred with a wild population, the 50/50 offspring would be at a disadvantage and natural selection would weed the inferior genes out within a short time. Turkey hunting is big in such states as NC and Alabama, ($$$$$) and thus is probably a reason the're overly protective of the population.
