Wild turkey release has 'symbolic' significance

From Staff Reports

Manford Williams fifth graders release one of two eastern wild turkeys that came to Texas from Plymouth, Mass., an area where the New World people first learned turkeys to be a good food source. -- Staff photo by Carolyn Rost

November 27, 2003 -- With a flurry of feathers, two eastern wild turkeys were released into the wild during a symbolic and educational Thanksgiving wild turkey release near Houston.

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) hosted the Nov. 20 event on the Brown Ranch in Fort Bend County.

Fifth graders from Manford Williams Elementary were on-hand to help release the tom (mature male) and jake (1-year-old male) turkeys. Under a clear blue sky, and amid comments of "cool!" and "there he goes!", the two birds were released with hopes of prospering.

"They fly right out of the box," explained Dale Bounds, president of Texas State NWTF, about the birds' emergence into their new home. "It's amazing that a 25-pound bird can move really fast. They just fly right out of there. They'd been in the box for three days. Of course, they are special transport boxes, with air holes."

The two turkeys were captured and flown from the Plymouth, Mass., area, which Bounds said is symbolic, especially this time of year. The region of Massachusetts where the turkeys were captured is the same area where "for the first time, the New World people learned about the turkey, from the Indians, who showed them the turkey is a good food source."

Facts such as this were presented to the Manford Williams elementary school kids the day before the release. "The kids really got into it. We were to have a 30-minute program, but it turned into an hour. They asked some very detailed questions," Bounds related.

"The eastern wild turkey had almost disappeared from our state by the early 1900s. As a result of our recent restoration efforts, better law enforcement and compliance, and cooperative conservation efforts by private landowners, today we are able to allow spring turkey hunting in 42 East Texas counties," said Robert L. Cook, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department's executive director.

Dr. James Dickson, NWTF national board member, holds one of the birds while a student strokes his wings. -- Staff photo by Carolyn Rost

That's a remarkable comeback, and it would not have happened without the support of turkey hunters and the National Wild Turkey Federation. Revenue from turkey stamp sales, plus funding and assistance from the NWTF has made restoration of turkey populations possible throughout much of the United States," Cook said.

Bounds specifically noted that since the 1980s, over 7,000 wild turkeys have been released in the state, at a cost of $3.5 million - money raised by hunting license holders. "When they purchase a turkey stamp, that money is dedicated to this program."

In 1995, a similar eastern wild turkey release was held in the Houston area. "These turkeys have done well," Bounds said. "We picked the Houston area because of the success story in restocking" the birds.

Organizers say the release is an educational opportunity for everyone to learn more about wild turkey restoration, the importance of conservation and about our hunting heritage during a time when many people are "thinking turkey."

"This release (is) a monumental event. I can remember back in 1987 when we (the NWTF) partnered with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to release eastern wild turkeys from Georgia in the first interstate turkey release," said Rob Keck, NWTF CEO. "Through the efforts of conservation-minded American sportsmen, there are more than 6 million wild turkeys throughout North America today. That's proof that sportsmen are the original conservationists."

Since the late 1980s, more than 13,000 turkeys have been shipped within and across state lines, captured in the wild in areas where turkeys are abundant and transported for release in suitable turkey habitat.

According to Keck, many people don't seem to realize how much influence the wild turkey has had in America. It fed the pioneers during our quest to become a nation, and continues to feed many today through the millions of dollars spent by turkey hunters each spring and fall on everything from food, firearms, guides, trucks, gasoline, lodging and more.

"We at the NWTF, through our strong state chapter, are pleased to be part of the continuing partnership to restore eastern wild turkeys to suitable habitat in Texas. This turkey release offers a special opportunity to learn more about this grand symbol of Thanksgiving," Keck said.

For more information about the NWTF or the turkey release, visit the web at www.nwtf.org/ or call 800-THE-NWTF.