Number: 1978-34
WHEREAS, pen-reared quail and turkey generally do not survive in areas where the habitat is insufficient to maintain populations of wild quail and turkey; and
WHEREAS, pen-reared quail and turkey will compete with native wild populations for the possession of desirable ranges with the result a serious decline or extermination since pen-reared quail and turkey are poorly adapted for survival and can transmit diseases and parasites to the wild stock; and
WHEREAS, programs for the introduction of pen-reared quail and turkey are not eligible for federal matching funds under the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration programs and thus divert State monies from biologically sound wildlife management projects; and
WHEREAS, despite research studies by professional wildlife biologists and trained conservationists which clearly have shown the biologically unsound and economically wasteful aspects of releasing pen-reared quail and turkey into wild situations, political pressures nevertheless have caused this practice to persist; and
WHEREAS, releases of wild-captured quail and turkey into areas of suitable habitat within their historic ranges has been proven to be much more beneficial and effective in restoring and enhancing quail and turkey populations; and
WHEREAS, except for limited “put-and-take” releases on public lands, many states have made it unlawful to release pen-reared quail and turkey;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation, in annual meeting assembled, March 16-19, 1978, in Phoenix, Arizona, hereby encourages the cause of professional wildlife management and the effective use of wildlife management funds by opposing the practice of introducing pen-reared quail and turkey by state fish and wildlife agencies for the purpose of establishing or enhancing wild quail and turkey populations.