PHEASANTS ON ORDER

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 256, 25 July 1936, Page 10

PHEASANTS ON ORDER

Acclimatisation Society’s Action LIBERATION NEXT YEAR At a recent meeting of the Wellington Acclimatisation Society it was decided to purchase 1000 pheasants for liberation. Arrangements have now been concluded for the birds to be reared on contract by the curator of the society’s game farm at. Paraparaumu, and handed over for liberation about the end of February. The reason for the early liberation of the birds, a full two months before the opening of the season, is to allow them ample time to acclimatise themselves in their new surroundings and to become sufficiently wild to obviate any possibility of sportsmen complaining that they came tame to the gun. Early liberation goes far to ensure that the birds are wary and suspicious. It is possible that some of the cock birds will be held over at the game farm, and will not be released until after the close of the shooting season. As only cock pheasants may be shot, the male element, tends to become depleted in the wilds, and the breeding balance essential to sound conservation is thrown out. To return a normal return in districts where the cock birds are heavily shot out, ifc is very necessary to liberate more in the spring, but the financial aspect presents a difficulty. If, however, the fees for gun licences are raised it is probable that the Acclimatisation Society w-ill face this added cost, according to statements made to “The Dominion” by the society’s secretary yesterday. It has been decided to release the birds on the most suitable country in the Acclimmatisation Society’s territory, not only where everyone can shoot, but also where all shooting is prohibited. By this means birds will be given a sanctuary and will be more likely to increase in numbers than if they were open to be harried in every locality.