CSS—Lancaster Farming, Saturday, November 15,1980 Pheasant production due at turkey farm TROUT RUN - Pheasant production in Pennsylvania will get a boost in 1961 when the former turkey farm in Lycoming County is con verted to a facility for raising additional ringnecks. In August of 1979, the Game Commission decided to limit the production of turkeys at the game tana while at the same tune stepping up the wild bird trap-and-transfer program. It was indicated that when the Game Commission deemed it necessary, farm turkey production would be eliminated and the facility would be converted to other uses. This year the number of farm turkeys produced was reduced from the 6000 level Horse backpacking -guidelines offered UTITZ Horse back packing provides a great opportunity to get back to nature. However, basic skills and knowledge can make it a more enjoyable experience. Members in the national 4- H horse program, conducted by the Cooperative Ex tension Service and sup ported by the American Quarter Horse Association and the Insurance Company of North America, suggest these guidelines for planning a horse backpacking trip: • Begin with essential equipment until you become an experienced packer. A pack saddle, good quality pad or blanket and panniers are the foundation of a pack. Remember weight carried in saddle bags should be kept to a minimum, rarely ex ceeding 10 pounds. • Pack horses should be fed daily. Feed can be earned in the bottom of each pannier to keep the load’s center of balance as low as possible. If pack trips are planned for relatively open spaces, ample amounts of grass may be available for grazing. LONG JOHN BALMER INSULATION 643 Penryn Rd. Manheim, PA (717)665-4132 of the past to just 4200 birds. With the recent rapid ex pansion of the wild turkey range, game managers had a difficult time this year finding suitable release sites where the 4200 farm birds would not be in conflict with wild populations. As a result of this year’s experience, game managers had to consider two options in looking at future plans for the facility: either convert the farm to the production of other game birds, or further decrease the number of turkeys produced. Regardless of the numbers of birds produced at the farm, the annual operating cost at the Lycoming County facility is about $210,000. Producing 6000 • Make sure water will be available for your horses. Hard-working horses need up to 10 gallons of water a day. For each nder, carry at least one quart of water, preferably two. • The type of food carried depends on length of the trip. Most fresh foods should be used within 48 hours. Canned foods combined with non perishable products, like biscuits, pancake mix, dried rice and dehydrated foods last longer, but a com bination of freeze-dried, canned and dehydrated products is suggested. • Cooking and eating utensils should be light weight, versatile and durable. Remember to pack matches, liquid detergent, can openers and disposable products, like paper towels, and toilet paper. Also, carry an axe, shovel and cooking grates. • Each packer should remember to bring a bedroll, including some kind of mattress or pad for the sleeping bag. • A well-stocked first-aid Structure • Fully Insured • Free Estimates We Can Do The Job Now turkeys rounds out to an approximate cost of $35 per bird Production of 4200 buds in 1980, at the rate of previous costs, rounds out to an ap proximate cost of about $5O per turkey for this year If the Game Commission produced and distributed only 2000 birds in 1981, the cost per turkey would ap proach $lO5, because of fixed operating costs. The Game Commission said it feels this cost is unreasonably high, and an unjustifiable use of the sportsmen’s dollars. Game farm turkeys have been produced in the past m an effort to “sweeten the pot” and provide birds for hunters in locations where kit is essential, and it should contain items for most minor emergencies. • When selecting pack horses for the trip, remember they should have good confirmation and be interchangeable with those that are ridden. Pack horse should have quite tem perment, be well-trained, strong, surefooted and particularly sound in their feet and legs. Horse backpacking is one of the many activities of members in the horse program. Other projects include participating in horse drill teams and horse shows-showmg and judging, line driving, competitive trail nding, hot horseshoeing and sharing skills in a horseback riding program for the handicapped. ARE YOUR CURRENTLY SELLING PRODUCTS OR SERVICES TO DAIRY OR SWINE PRODUCERS BUT LOOKING , FOR WAYS TO SUPPLEMENT YOUR INCOME??? SSSS We re looking for a respected in dependent business person interested in earning extra dollars by promoting a rapidly growing method of marketing high demand livestock products ★ No Inventory ★ No Extra Equipment ★ No Billing or Collection Write today for details, Use business letterhead Rep|yto; P.O. Box 366-D c/o Lancaster Farming Lititz, PA 17543 D.S. MACHINE SHOP 3816 E NEWPORT RD , RDI GOROONVILLE. PA 17529 1 Mile East of Intercourse on Rt 772 Write or Try and Call. 717-768-8569 (Outside Phone) • Victor or Maco Cutting Torch* • Lincoln Welders • Hog&Catl e Gates • Custom Built High Pressure Washers • Coal Fired Bucket-A-Day Stoves • New A Used Structural Pipe Comfort Glow Kerosene Heaters ★ 2 Sizes In Stock ★ they are not normally found in nature. Game farm birds were not produced with the idea that they would reproduce in the same numbers as true wild turkeys Turkeys which come from game farms, produced under “controlled” con ditions, lack those characteristics necessary for survival and reproduction normally found in wild birds When game managers want to expand turkey populations in suitable habitat devoid of birds, the best method is to trap wild turkeys in areas of abun dance and transfer the birds into the new or potential range Unlike birds which have come from game farms, wild birds take hold in natural surroundings much more rapidly and reproduce at normal rates. Past experience and research in many states show the relative merits of the two methods of Turkey production. For instance, over a period of years, thousands of game farm turkeys were released in the South Mountain area of southcentral Penn sylvania. After release- of game farm birds was stopped for several years, the area again was devoid of turkeys Then, several dozen “wild” turkeys were trapped in other areas of the state where the birds were abundant, and released in the South Mountain area. The birds became established quickly, reproduction soared, and today there are self sustaining flocks of wild turkeys in the South Mountain area Machine Work Welding & Farm Supplies Hardware The trap-and-transfer procedure is an ongoing part of the state’s overall turkey management program, and will continue in the future. In the past, many of the birds were taken from the nor thcentral counties and relocated in southcentral Pennsylvania, as well as eastern and western sections of the state. But, there may be oc casions in the future when birds will be trapped m sections of abundance in eastern or western Penn sylvania and released in the northecentral area, as populations fluctuate and the need arises. In 1979, more than 100 birds were trapped in the wild and transferred to understocked ranges. Generally, the key element in the trapping of wild birds is weather. Last winter, being a relatively open and mild period, was not particularly good for trapping operations. Given any kind of a break in weather and other con ditions this winter, the Game Commission should be able to further increase the number of birds taken in the wild and moved to potential habitat habitat which is likely to support self- imosM OVER 59 VARIETIES ol New S Used Trailers Under 20 000 Lb GVWR (for hauling utility cycle auto luggage wood small equipment building supplies household goods snowmobiles) Hitches Inspections Repairs Accessories Custom Work DEALERS. MGS RETAIL SALES MELLOTT BROS. TRLR. SALES R D 3(NaarZirm's Diner) R 0 2 (Rt 272 N) Denver, Pa Willow Street Pa 219/267 752 S 7171464-2311 ARCTIC CAT SALES t SERVICE WHITE OAK LAWN & LEISURE RDI Hichpoint Rd 329 W HifhSt Manheun, Pa Cochranvillt Pa 717/W5-4427 215/593*2*0 sustaining populations of birds in the future While it may cost con siderably more than a hundred dollars to trap and transfer a single wild turkey, the benefits far outweigh the costs. Two hens and a gobbler transferred in the wild can reproduce an entire new population. The reproductive ability of three wild birds trapped and transferred couldn’t be matched by twenty farm raised turkeys which even if they escaped the hunter often don’t make it through the first winter. This year the Game Commission produced a record number (223,200) of pheasants at four game farms, but the demand for » additional ringnecks cannot be met at the four facilities currently in use. The four farms are over-taxed, and more birds could not be produced. Game managers are hoping that the conversion of the turkey farm to rmgneck production will mean an additional 35,000 to 40,000' pheasants during the next few years. When the con version is fully completed at the farm, it may even be possible to produce more than the 40,000 pheasants currently envisioned.
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