3 9999 06317 784 2 23J SUMMARY OF FOREIGN GAME BIRD LIBERATIONS, 1969-78 UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE Special Scientific Report— Wildlife No. 239 Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data Banks, Richard C, 1940- Summary of foreign game bird liberations, 1969-78. (Special scientific report — wildlife ; no. 239) 1. Game and game-birds — United States. 2. Animal introduction — United States. I. Title. II. Tide: Foreign game bird liberations, 1969-78. III. Tide: Game bird liberations, 1969-78. IV. Series. SK361.A256 no. 239 639.9' 79' 0973s 81-15213 [333.95' 8] AACR2 For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402 NOTE: Use of trade names does not imply U.S. Government endorsement of commercial products. SUMMARY OF FOREIGN GAME BIRD LIBERATIONS 1969-78 By Richard C. Banks I ISH A W II ill || \ SERVICK UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE Special Scientific Report— Wildlife No. 239 Washington, D.C. • 1981 Summary of Foreign Game Bird Liberations, 1969-78 by Richard C. Banks U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Denver Wildlife Research Center National Museum of Natural History Washington, D.C. 20560 Abstract This compilation summarizes releases of exotic game birds into the United States by 23 States, 1969-78. The 32 entries of taxonomic units include 6 species (and 1 additional subspecies) of tinamous (family Tinamidae) and 13 species (and 12 additional subspecies or hybrid combinations) of partridges and pheasants (family Phasianidae). Twelve entries are of forms of the pheasant Phasianus colchicus. The Foreign Game Importation Program (FGIP) of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service was discontinued in 1970. Before termination of FGIP, three com- pilations of propagation and release activities, summarizing the work of the participating States through 1968, were published (Bump and Bohl 1964; Chambers 1966; Bohl and Bump 1970). At the time of termination, some of the participating States still held birds obtained under the auspices of FGIP, and releases of these birds or their progeny continued for several years. In view of widespread ecological concern about the introduction and establishment of exotic wildlife in the United States, as expressed in the President's Executive Order No. 11987 (24 May 1977), the Service decided to gather information on the release of exotic game birds after 1968. In December 1978, letters were sent from the Regional Offices of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to the appropriate conservation agencies of the States (including Guam) that apparently still had exotic game birds on hand at the time of the last summary of activities (Bohl and Bump 1970). The States were asked to provide information on releases from 1969 on. Five States — Arkansas, Guam, Hawaii, Pennsylvania, and Tennessee — responded that release activities were terminated before 1969. Twenty-three States (Alabama, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Virginia, and Washington) provided information on releases, which forms the body of this report (Table 1). The list includes information on 19 species and 13 additional subspecies or hybrid combinations, for a total of 32 taxonomic entries. Six of the species are tinamous (family Tinamidae); the others are par- tridges and pheasants (family Phasianidae). Sub- species and subspecific hybrid combinations of the pheasant Phasianus colchicus account for 12 of the entries. The names used are, in general, those provided by the States, although some standardiza- tion was necessary. Certain limitations are inherent in the methods used to acquire the information presented here. Only States that had recently and actively cooperated with the FGIP were queried. Other States without a relationship to FGIP may have released exotic game birds also. Not all the birds reported here as having been released were necessarily obtained initially through the Program. Thus, this cannot be con- sidered either as a terminal report of FGIP or as a complete list of releases or introductions. Another qualification of this report relates to the "Results" of the releases. Following the format of the earlier compilations, these were generally reported as "Results to Date." Much of the information submitted under this heading was old when submitted, and it has aged further during the seemingly interminable compilation. Nonetheless, one receives the impres- sion that there is regrettably little follow-up of releases or introductions. A few minor taxonomic problems arose in the compilation of this report. Some States reported the release of (Japanese) Green Pheasants with the scientific name Phasianus versicolor, giving the subspecies (if noted) as robustipes. I have listed these as Green Pheasant, Phasianus colchicus robustipes, recognizing the green pheasant group as only subspecifically, rather than specifically, distinct from the ring-necked pheasant, which also includes the white-winged and black-necked populations. This is the treatment followed in the earlier FGIP compilations; I mention it here because it varies from the States' listings and from the treatment in some major taxonomic works (e.g., Vaurie 1965). The reverse of this problem arose in listing some of the partridges of the genus Alectoris. States variously reported "Chukar" partridges as A. graeca or A. chukar, with a variety of subspecific designations including A. g. chukar. Watson (1962) has shown that the rock partridge, Alectoris graeca, and the chukar, A. chukar, are distinct species. I have listed all reported under the name Chukar because subspecific names used by the States (either scientific or English) indicated affinity to that species and because that form is the one that has historically been of greater importance in importation and release. That taxonomic problems still exist in a group of such economic importance and of such historical interest as gallinaceous game birds may surprise anyone but a taxonomist. Those problems mentioned may serve as a reminder that others may still exist — including, no doubt, some that are not even known. This works out to be a neatly contrived (but decades late) lead-in for a plea for specimen documentation of exotic birds released into North American ecosystems. Previously accepted specific or sub- specific limits may be found to be erroneous, and names may change, so that what we are working with one day may go by a different name the next. Unless accurate identifications can be established by specimen identification, one is denied access to the appropriate body of literature that may yield the secrets of proper management, even of success or failure of an introduction (see Banks 1979). Acknowledgments I appreciate the cooperation of representatives of the agencies of the various States in providing the information compiled in this report. Duncan Mac- Donald served as an advisor in the early stages of the project. References Banks, R. C, compiler. 1979. Museum studies and wildlife management. National Fish and Wildlife Laboratory, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Washington, D.C. 297 pp. Bohl, W. H., and G. Bump. 1970. Summary of foreign game bird liberations 1960 to 1968 and propagation 1966 to 1968. U.S. Fish Wildl. Serv., Spec. Sci. Rep.— Wildl. 130. 61 pp. Bump, G., and W. H. Bohl. 1964. Summary of foreign game bird propagation and liberations 1960-1963. U.S. Fish Wildl. Serv., Spec. Sci. Rep.— Wildl. 80. 48 pp. Chambers, G. D. 1966. Summary of foreign game bird propagation 1965, and liberations 1960-1965. U.S. Fish Wildl. Serv., Spec. Sci. Rep.— Wildl. 80, Suppl. Vaurie, C. 1965. The birds of the Palearctic fauna. Non- Passeriformes. H.F. & G. Witherby, Ltd., London. 763 pp. Watson, G. E. 1962. Sympatry in Palearctic Alectoris partridges. Evolution 16:11-19. Table 1. Summary of foreign game bird releases and. results. State Source Direct(D) Month and Number (F=farm; or gentle(G) of Area year released W=wild) release release (Co.=County) Results Red-winged Tinamou (Rhynchotus rufesaens) Alabama 1970 80 Mar 1971 30 F D Sep Chilean Tinamou (Nothoproeta perdioaria sanborni) Houston County Greene County Observed brood of 4 young. All disap- peared second year Disappeared ashington 1971 95 1972 264 332 83 100 680 1973 100 1976 25 90 59 799 112 399 239 240 190 119 149 118 390 114 150 100 75 568 90 305 80 30 11 Jul Jul Apr Jun Jun Apr-Jun Jul Apr-May Aug Apr -May Apr-May Aug Apr-May Apr-May Apr-Jun Sep Jun Apr Apr Apr-Jul Jun Apr-May Jul May Jul Clark County Clallam County Clark County Pacific County Snohomish County Lewis and Thurston Counties Snohomish County Dallesport , Klickitat County Flaming Geyser Park, King Co. Auburn, Pierce Co. Lopez Island, San Juan County Big Ditch area, Snohomish Co. He is son-Battleground Lake, Clark Co. ii n Ridgefield, Clark Co. Woodland Bottoms, Cowlitz County Adna , Lewis County Forest-Napavine Road, Lewis County Lincoln Creek, Lewis County ti M North Newaukum, Lewis County Bingen, Klickitat Co. Underwood, Skamania County Dungeness Recreation Area, Clallam Co. Happy Valley, Clallam Co Bangor Annex, Kitsap County ti ii East Olympla, Thurston County Some survival in Lewis County No winter survival Some winter survival; nesting, Sep Young reported Aug- Oct Brood observed, Jul Broods observed, Aug Nesting reported, June Broods reported. June Table 1. (Continued) State Source Direct(D) Month and Number (F=farm; or gentle(G) of year released W-wild) release release Area (Co.=County) Results Chilean Tinamou (Cont'd.) Washington (Cont'd.) 1977 420 80 240 629 253 15 536 210 240 477 120 60 90 30 810 210 360 180 180 89 339 180 Apr Whidbey Island, Island County May Flaming Geyser Park, King County May Smith Brothers' Farm, King County Apr ,May Lopez Island, San Juan County Jul H it Jul Bayview, Skagit Co. Apr-May Hess ion-Battleground Lake, Clark County Jul ti it May Ridgefield, Clark Co. May-Jun Woodland Bottoms, Cowlitz County Apr Bingen , Klickitat Co. Apr Dallesport, Klicki- Apr Jun Apr-Jun Apr Apr -May Jul Apr Jul May Apr Broods reported, May and July tat County Forest-Napavine Road, Lewis County it ii Lincoln Creek, Lewis Co. North Newaukum, Lewis Co. Dungeness Recreation Area, Clallam County H ii Grays Marsh, Clallam Co. ii ii Elma , Grays Harbor Co. Bangor Annex, Kitsap Co. 30 120 Ornate Tinamou (Nothoprocta ornata) Oregon 1969 49 F 1970 29 F 1971 93 F 1972 111 F 1973 118 F 1974 73 F Spotted Tinamou (Nothura maculosa) May East Olympia, Thurston County May Oyster Bay, Thurston Co. D D Spring Spring Willa D Spring I D Spring 1 D Spring D Spring None Alabama 1972 39 F Florida 1971 36 W Mar May Autauga County Disappeared Eastern Alachua Co. No reproduction observed Table 1. (Continued) State Source Direct(D) Month and Number (F=farm; or gentle(G) of Area year released W=wild) release release (Co.=County) Results Pale Spotted Tinamou (Nothura darwinii salvadorii) Colorado 1969 124 F 1970 40 F Oklahoma 1970 641 F 238 F 121 F Apr May May Jun Aug Crested Tinamou (Eudromia elegans) Nebraska 1971 256 F D Pale Crested Tinamou (Eudromia elegans alhida) Baca County Candian County Jefferson County Chase and Frontier Counties Disappeared Disappeared Unsuccessful Unsuccessful Unsuccessful Failure California 1968 55 F 1970 162 F Jul Jul Inyo County Disappeared after release Seesee Partridge (Ammoperdix griseogulavis) Nevada 1971 50 F 1972 50 F 1973 36 F 1976 60 F 1971 52 1973 50 F 1975 53 F 1976 98 F Apr Lava Beds, Pershing County D Mar ir ii D May ii ii D Apr it ii D Apr Pilot Mountain, Mineral County D May ii ii D Apr ii it D Oct ii it Some signs of initial establishment but re- sults inconclusive. Limited reproduction in the wild has been docu- mented . ■Results inconclusive 1971 50 Apr Virginia Mountains, Storey County Probable failure 1972 50 F 1973 35 F 50 F 1974 182 F 1975 101 F 1975 100 F D Mar Fox Range , Washoe County D May ii ii D May Pinenut Range , Lyon County D Mar Seven Troughs Range, Pershing County D Mar it ii D Apr Buffalo Hills, Washoe County iProbable failure Probable failure • Results inconclusive Probable failure Table 1. (Continued) State and Number year released Source Direct(D) Month (F=farm; or gentle(G) of Area W=wlld) release release (Co.=County) Results Seesee Partridge (Cont'd.) Nevada (Cont'd.) 1976 72 F 1977 72 F 1977 72 F California 1970- ■74 510 W,i D Apr D Oct D Oct Dec Silver Peak Range, Esmeralda County Seaman Range, Lincoln County Kern and Fresno Counties Results inconclusive Results inconclusive Reproduction and sur- vival in Fresno County; possible establishment . Utah 1976 31 F G Mar Himalayan Snowcock (Tetraogallus himalayensis) D Mar, Oct Nevada 1970 66 F 1970 70 F 1972 30 F 1973 23 F 1974 46 F 1975 22 F 1972 86 F 1973 56 F 1974 91 F 1976 386 F 1977 256 F 1978 382 Chukar (Aleatoris ohukar) California 1960 7,845 W -69 Washington County Toquima Mountains, Nye County Failed Failure to establish Mar, Oct Mount Grant, Mineral | County Failure to establish D Apr it ti D D May Apr Toiyabe Mountains, Lander and Nye Cos; ii ii D Apr ii ii D Apr Ruby Mountains, Elko County D May ii ii D Apr ti ii D Apr , Jun, Sep ii ii D Mar ,Sep, Oct M n Sep Aug-Sep Kern, Madera, Fresno Stanislaus, Mariposa, | San Diego, Lassen, Tehama, and Monterey Counties Results inconclusive; probably failed to establish. Limited population establishment appears probable. Reproduc- tion in the wild has been documented . Established; first hunting season 1954. These stocking areas were of sub-marginal habitats and failed to contribute to the already established population. Table 1. (Continued) State Source Direct(D) Month and Number (F=farm; or gentle(G) of Area year released W=wild) release release (Co.=County) Results Chukar (Cont'd.) Nebraska 1969 720 F D Feb 1,509 F D Mar 974 F D Jul 1,477 F D Aug 1,307 F D Sep 1970 702 F D Mar 1,400 F D Apr 963 F D Jun 1,392 F D Aug 2,300 F D Aug 1,260 F D Oct Washington 1969 150 926 1,446 177 1,546 113 2,480 1,070 F F F F F F F F D 1970 100 180 160 81 460 576 114 1,160 150 31 809 F F F F F F F F F F F 1971 120 500 359 2,780 20 100 500 448 294 F F F F F F F F F Dawes County Sheridan, Sioux, Banner, and Scotts Bluff Counties Garden, Keith, Phelp and Sheridan Cos. Hooker and Sheridan Counties Sheridan and Thomas Counties Scotts Bluff County Cherry and Sheridan Counties Cherry, Garden, Keit and Phelps Counties Custer and Garfield \ Counties Boyd and Valley C Benton County Chelan County Douglas County Grant County Kittitas County Lincoln County Okanagan County Yakima County Benton County Chelan County Douglas County Ferry County Grant County Kittitas County Lincoln County Okanagan County San Juan County Whitman County Yakima County Douglas County Kittitas County Lincoln County Okanagan County Chelan County Benton County Grant County Whitman County Yakima County Some reproduction reported 1969 and 1970. Introduction thought to be a failure at most release sites. Some birds reported in Banner and Morrill Counties during November, 1978 by local conservation officers. Sporadic reports in same region by hunters. os. J Birds released in 1969 were in areas suffering severe loss in winter 1968-69. Most were released in May, July and August. Some 1970 birds re- leased in regulated hunting areas for immediate harvest. !58 birds in 1971 released on regulated hunting areas in season; remainder released during spring and summer Table 1. (Continued) State Source and Number (F=farm; year released W=wild) Direct(D) Month or gentle(G) of release release Area (Co.=County) Results Chukar (Cont'd.) Washington (Cont'd.) 1972 100 F 75 F 445 F 15 F 285 F 44 F 1,306 F 200 F 145 F 78 F 1,029 F 1974 7,799 F 1975 1,490 F 1976-77 13,990 1977-78 15,304 Benton County Chelan County Douglas County Garfield County Kittitas County Lewis County Okanagan County Skamania County Walla Walla County Whitman County Yakima County Statewide 195 birds in 1972 were under -t he-gun plants on public shooting areas; re- mainder released in spring and summer 2,691 birds planted under-the-gun on shooting areas; rest released in spring and summer 11,880 released in hunting season on public shooting areas. 12,984 were released on public shooting areas during hunting season Spanish Red-legged Partridge (Aleetoris rufa hispaniaa) California 1969 450 F 1970 470 F 1971 720 F 1972 1 ,276 F 1973 198 F 1974 139 F D Feb Madera, Tulare and El Dorado Counties D Feb Glenn and Tulare Cos. D Feb Yolo County D Feb Glenn, Colusa, Tulare, and Placer Cos. D Feb Placer County D Feb Fresno County French Red-legged Partridge (Aleetoris rufa rufa) California 1969 1,566 1970 486 Feb Feb El Dorado and Nevada Counties Nevada County No survival or repro- duction recorded. Birds disappeared within a month. Birds failed to be- come established. Survival good for 2 or 3 years. Repro- duction reported for several years. Birds disappeared after 5 years. Failed to become established. Table 1. (Continued) State and Number year released Source Direct(D) Month (F=farm; or gentle(G) of Area W=wild) release release (Co.=County) Results French Red-legged Partridge (Cont'd.) Idaho 1972 90 F 1974 75 F 1975 35 F 1976 20 F 1977 40 F 1978 70 F Washington 1969 200 F 400 F 227 F 1970 226 F 1971 174 F 1972 85 F 1973 350 F 1974 525 F 120 F 1975 25 F Mar SW Idaho Mar 11 Mar 11 Mar N Idaho Mar SW Idaho Mar n Mar Benton County Mar Franklin County May Kittitas County Aug Nov-Dec Nov May Yakima County Kittitas County Population established but not expanding > Unsuccessful Unknown Unknown .Survival and reproduc- tion Some broods noted, but population declines without restocking Black Francolin ( Franaolinus franaolinus asiae) California 1970 324 1971 873 1973-74 435 Louisiana 1969 257 1970-71 530 1971 8 W 1972 24 w 1973 10 w U Jun Butte County D Jun Butte and Colusa Counties D Mar Colusa and Fresno Counties Oct Lake Charle Sep-Oct , IT Dec, Mar Nov Lake Arthur Feb ii ii Feb ii ii Reproduction noted on the Gray Lodge Management area for 5 or 6 years; all birds disappeared. Failed to become established Sightings occasionally made; unlikely that a stable breeding population exists Jirds seen and heard in area. Very pos- sible that breeding population developing. Continued close obser- vation will be made. 10 Table 1. (Continued) State and Number year released Source Direct(D) Month (F=farm; or gentle(G) of Area W=wild) release release (Co.=County) Results Gray Francolin (Franeolinus pondiaerianus int. erpo situs ) California 1969 288 F 1970 697 F 1971 588 F 1972- 75 406 F D Feb D Feb D Feb D Feb Erckel's Francolin (Franeolinus evekelii) Washington 1969 64 Fresno and Kern Cos. Kings, Fresno, and Kern Counties Kings and Colusa Cos. Colusa County Klickitat County Birds dispersed rapid- ly. No reproduction noted. Failed to become established. Birds dispersed and disappeared Cray Partridge (Pevdix perdix) Colorado 1970 674 F D Apr Moffat County 49 F D Apr Sedgwick County 62 F D May Larimer County 1971 286 F D Apr Alamosa County 200 F D Apr Conejos County 169 F D Apr Saguache County 1972 103 F D Apr Alamosa County 162 F D Apr Conejos County 265 F D Apr Saguache County 86 F D Jul Conejos County Iowa 1969 442 F D Aug-Sep Cass County 1970 265 F G Sep Shelby County 1971 484 F G Mar-Oct Shelby County 1972 264 F G Mar Shelby County Nebraska 1969 67 Alberta, Canada D Dawes and Front Counties Disappeared Isolated reports of birds in four south- western counties by 1978 Some reproduction at each release site during 1969. Two brood sightings in Dawes County, 1970. Introduction probably a failure 1969 133 F 1970 72 F 1971 76 F 18 F 1972 50 F 1973 107 F 1974 123 F 1975 56 F 1976 56 F Spring Spring Spring Summer Spring Spring Spring Spring Spring Willamette Valley None 11 Table 1. (Continued) State Source Direct(D) Month and Number (F=farm; or gentle (G) of year released W=wild) release release Area (Co.=County ) Gray Partridge (Cont'd.) Washington 1969 77 F 20 F 25 F 46 F 50 F 30 F 1970 54 F 55 F 6 F 1971 21 F 131 F 151 F 65 F 1972 170 F 88 F 1974 191 F 1975 50 F 25 F 84 F 10 F Jun Douglas County Apr Kittitas County Mar Lewis County Apr Okanagan County Mar Thurston County Mar Whitnan County Jun Douglas County Jun Okanagan County Mar Whitman County Douglas County Lincoln County Spokane County Whitman County Kittitas County Yakima County Benton County Clallam County Island County Lincoln County Stevens County Results Attempt to upgrade wild stock; not much change reported Bamboo Partridge (Bambusicola thoraaica) Oregon 1969 238 1970 429 Washington 1969 100 100 46 100 100 50 192 100 184 50 300 1970 150 50 100 50 535 1971 207 1972 548 1973 360 1974 276 1975 132 Spring Mid-coast Spring Mid-coast Apr Clark County Apr Cowlitz County Jun Island County Apr-Jun King County Kittitas County Klickitat County Apr- Jun Skagit County Snohomish County Thurston County Apr Wahkiakum County Apr Yakima County Mar Franklin County Apr Pierce County Apr Skagit County May Whitman County Mar Yakima County Mar-May May None None Disappeared Not successful No reproduction Broods sighted Failed 12 Table 1. (Continued) State Source Direct(D) Month and Number (F=farm; or gentle (G) of Area year released W=wild) release release (Co.=County) Results Kalij Pheasant (Lophwa leuoomelana hamiltoni ) Oregon 1969 56 1970 126 1971 166 1972 246 1973 248 1974 282 Virginia 1969 91 1970 51 1971 145 1972 42 1973 105 1974 1976 94 32 Spring Spring Spring Spring Spring Spring Mar Willamette Valley D Apr D Oct -May D Apr D Apr Nov Nov Henry and Cumberland Counties Henry County Carroll County Patrick County Campbell and Patrick Counties Bedford, Carroll, and Grayson Counties Rappahannock County Observed in limited number at some release sites for up to 3 years Failure Washington 1969 45 F 1970 136 F 141 F 1971 22 F 40 F 80 F 1972 89 F 5 F 50 F 1974 50 F 186 F 1975 32 F Mar Lewis County Survival Mar-Jun Cowlitz County Broods reported Mar Klickitat County Cowlitz County Klickitat County Skamania County Cowlitz County Lewis County Skamania County Broods reported Apr-May Lewis County Apr-May Skamania County Apr n ii Red Jungle Fowl (Gallus gallus muvghi) Alabama 1970 195 F 150 F 100 F 50 F 197 F 1971 125 F 303 F 1969 159 F D Aug D Nov D Mar D Mar D Nov D Mar D Sep D Apr Cherokee County Lamar County Calhoun County Bibb County Cherokee County Bibb County Lee County Disappeared Table 1. (Continued) 13 State Source Direct(D) Month and Number (F=farn; or gentle (G) of Area year released W=wlld) release release (Co.=County) Results Red Jungle Fowl (Cont'd.) Georgia FY 66-67 135 F FY 66-67 125 F FY 68-69 135 F 135 F 75 F FY 69-70 700 F 100 F 80 F 150 Apr Oaky Woods W.M.A. , Houston County Feb Bowens Mill, Ben Hill County ii ti Waycross State Forest, Ware County Clinch County Bowens Mill, Ben Hill County Clinch County Waycross State Forest, Ware County Oaky Woods W.M.A. , Houston County Stable at low popula- tion levels 1978 Disappeared Disappeared Population stable or declining at very low level in 1978 South Carolina 1970 1971 100 F 50 F 100 F 400 F 100 F 100 F 100 F 100 F D Dec D Jan D Sep D Dec D Jan D Jan D Feb D Dec Orangeburg County Anderson County Beaufort County Chesterfield County Bamberg County Williamsburg County Lexington County Laurens County Disappeared Green Pheasant (Phasianus aolahiaus robustipes) Idaho 1969 1 ,180 F 1970 1971 1972 1973 197A 1 2 2 1 853 ,706 ,979 071 ,072 F F F F F Kentucky 1969-72 821 F Spring- Northern Idaho Fall Spring Wayne County All releases failed; program discontinued 1974 Reproduction observed. Little dispersion. Failed to establish. Maryland 1969 34 43 12 Mar Allegany County Jul Garrett County Jul Western Region No reproduction known; disappeared 14 Table 1. (Continued) State Source Direct(D) Month and Number (F=farm; or gentle (G) of Area year released W=wild) release release (Co.=County) Results Green Pheasant (Cont'd.) New York 1968-71 285 F 1,165 F 1,200 F 627 F 769 F 197 F 312 F 2,025 F 2,402 F 813 F 1,161 F 96 F Virginia 1970 46 F 1971 158 F 1973 106 F 74 F 1974 33 F Washington 1969 1,522 F D D D D D D D D D D D D Spring Spring Spring Spring Spring Spring Spring Spring Spring Spring Spring Spring Columbia Dutchess Essex Fulton Montgomery Putnam Rensselaer Saratoga Schoharie Sullivan Ulster-Orange Washington Apr Accomac County Apr-Nov Northampton County Apr Accomac County Apr Northampton County Apr Mathews County Mar-May Lewis County Unqualified failure by 1974-75; sightings, crowing cocks or bag checks indicated no birds or too few for transfer potential Straggling failure Survival and production; hybridize readily with ring-necks. 1970 1971 1972 300 F 365 F 60 F 50 F 250 F 200 F 595 F 50 F 235 F 300 F 100 F 200 F 180 F 100 F 290 F 110 F 325 F 450 F 352 F 5 F Apr Pierce County Apr Grays Harbor County Mar Clallam County Apr Clark County Mar Grays Harbor County Lewis County Apr-Jun Pierce County Apr Skamania County Apr Thurston County Apr Wahkiakum Countv Clark County Grays Harbor County Lewis County Pacific County Pierce County Thurston County Wahkiakum County Lewis County Pierce County Stevens County Some 1969-70 releases were on public hunting areas. 370 birds released on regulated hunting areas in season; rest released in spring and summer. 305 of the 1972 releases were "under-the-gun" in public shooting areas. 15 Table 1. (Continued) State and Number year released Source Direct(D) Month (F=farm; or gentle(G) of W=wild) release release Area (Co.=County ) Results Green Pheasant (Cont'd.) Washington (Cont'd.) 1973 8U F 160 F 1974 245 F 1975 61 F 34 F 175 Fall Pierce County Fall Wahkiakum County Nov Wahkiakum County Mar Island County Mar Skagit County May Wahkiakum County Under-t he-gun 120 of the 1974-75 releases were planted under-the-gun on public shooting areas. White-winged Pheasant (Phasianus oolchicus bianohii) Arizona 1969 716 F 256 F 1970 255 F 237 F 138 California 1969 598 1970 450 1971 360 1972 630 F 1973 580 F • 1974 599 F 1975 716 F 1976 320 F Colorado 1971 325 Calif 1972 153 Calif Oklahoma 1970 438 F 173 F 177 F 50 F Texas 1969 100 100 100 1970 50 150 376 U Feb D Feb D Feb D Feb 0 Feb U Feb D Feb D Feb Jan Safford Valley Jan Duncan vicinity Jan Jan San Pedro Valley (near Redington) Apr Springerville vicinity Kern County Kern County Kern and San Luis Obispo Counties ir II San Luis Obispo and Tulare Counties Kern County Kern County Kern County Mar Mesa County Mar Garfield County Jul Greer County Aug Roger Mills Co. Aug Greer County Oct Greer County Hale County Lynn County Tom Green County Cottle County Lynn County Terry County Local population established Ivery local population Disappeared Disappeared Limited reproduction Mixed with ringnecks in area. Small established populations. Disappeared Disappeared Unsuccessful 16 Table 1. (Continued) State Source Direct(D) Month and Number (F=farm; or gentle (G) of Area year released W=Wild) release release (Co.=County) Results White-winged Pheasant (Cont'd.) Texas (Cont'd.) 1971 150 300 570 940 1972 840 560 525 1973 250 100 664 500 200 Utah 1970 120 F 104 F 1971 25 F 224 F 1972 170 F 1973 137 F 440 F 200 F 200 F 1974 153 F 1975 239 F 1975 483 F 491 Jun Dec Apr Jun Jun Mar Jul Jul Jul Dec Jun Sep Sep Cottle County Terry County Hudspeth County Reeves County ii M Hudspeth County Terry County Cottle County Dickens County Reeves County Hudspeth County Oldham and Potter Cos. Hanksville, Wayne Co St. George, Washington County Hanksville, Wayne Co. St. George, Washington County Bluff, San Juan Co. St. George, Washington County Bluff, San Juan Co. Hanksville, Wayne Co. Washington County Escalante , County Hurricane , County Garfield Washington Success masked by . interbreeding with ' resident ring- necks. Total pop- ulations higher than before. White-winged X Ring-necked Pheasant (Phasianus colchicus bianchii X P. a. torquatus) Oklahoma 1970 838 F 286 F Jul Greer County Aug Roger Mills Co. Unsuccessful Unsuccessful Korean Ring-necked Pheasant (Phasianus eolohiaus karpowi) diana 1964 317 1965 192 1966 254 1968 398 1974 1 ,606 1975 8 ,832 Hancock, Johnson, Shelby, Rush , and Fayette Counties Some dispersal and production followed by decline; failed. 17 Table 1. (Continued) State Source Direct(D) Month and Number (F=farm; or gentle(G) of Area year released W=wild) release release (Co.=County) Results Korean Ring-necked Pheasant (Cont'd.) Kentucky 1966 93 F 153 F 1967 68 F 245 F 1968 310 F 246 F 1969 136 F 147 F 1970 93 F 1969 138 F 1970 79 F 683 F 1971 228 F 381 F 1972 250 F Missouri 1969- 1 ,550 F 71 New York 1968- 857 F 71 1 ,200 F 118 F 773 F 600 F 1 ,159 F 410 F 353 F 600 F 149 F 323 F 1 ,095 F 2 ,944 F 1 ,854 F D Spring Hancock County D Fall D Spring D Fall D Spring D Fall D Spring D Fall D Spring D Fall Webster County D Spring D Fall D Spring D Fall D Spring G Spring- Fall Malta Bend D Spring Allegany County D Spring Broome -Tompkins - Cortland Counties D Spring Cattaraugus Co. D Spring Chautauqua Co. D Spring Chemung-Schuyler Cos D Spring Chenango County D Spring Essex County D Spring Jefferson County D Spring Oswego County D Spring St . Lawrence County D Spring Seneca County D Spring Tioga County D Spring Wyoming County D Spring Franklin County Reproduction ob- served, some dis- persion. Mortality greater than re- production. Failed to establish. Reproduction ob- served, some dis- persion. Mortality greater than re- production. Failed to establish. Promising Failure Small breeding pop- ulation until 1975. Hunting opened in 1977. Failure de- layed in Franklin County . Texas 1968 200 150 1969 495 225 200 Bowie County Fannin County Bowie County Fannin County Lamar County 18 Table 1. (Continued) State Source Direct(D) Month and Number (F=farm; or gentle(G) of year released W=wild) release release Area (Co.=County) Results Korean Ring-necked Pheasant (Cont'd.) Texas (Cont 'd. ) 1970 200 160 200 400 1971 200 200 450 1972 716 585 1973 1,015 Virginia 1973 50 1974 166 1976 210 Nov Nov Nov Bowie County Fannin County Lamar County Wilbarger County Lamar County Wilbarger County Waller County Waller County Wilbarger County Waller County King George and Richmond Counties York County August, Clarke, and Frederick Counties 'Straggling failure Black-necked Pheasant (Phasianus aolahicus persiaus) Oklahoma 1969 101 F 1970 148 F 106 F 176 F 62 F 164 F D Oct Hughes County D Jul LeFlore County D Jul Hughes County D Aug LeFlore County D Aug Hughes County D Sep Hughes County , Unsuccessful Black-necked X Ring-necked Pheasant (Phasianus aolohiaus persiaus X P. a. torquatus) Oklahoma 1969 264 F 20 F 347 F 140 F 76 F Texas 1966 325 1967 200 1968 631 200 150 295 1969 365 200 50 50 200 1970 200 400 260 D Jul D Jul D Aug D Sep D Oct LeFlore County Johnston County Hughes County Brazoria County Chambers County Fort Bend County Liberty County Brazoria County Chambers County Harris County Houston County Liberty County Brazoria County Chambers County Liberty County 1 Unsuccessful Table 1. (Continued) 19 State Source and Number (F=farra; year released W=wild) Direct(D) Month or gentle (G) of release release Area (Co.=County ) Results Black-necked X Ring-necked Pheasant (Cont'd.) Texas (Ci ant 'd. ) 1971 695 1,655 1972 420 940 1973 330 330 141 1974 2,015 200 400 197 5 2,380 1,010 440 1976 1,800 400 400 800 400 230 1977 1,200 500 900 400 400 400 1978 400 1,200 400 800 400 400 400 400 160 240 300 10 Chambers County Liberty County Chambers County Liberty County Jefferson County Liberty County Chambers County Jefferson County Liberty County Chambers County Jefferson County Liberty County Chambers County Jefferson County Liberty County Chambers County Colorado County Williamson County Navarro County Colorado County Jefferson County Lavaca County Liberty County Navarro County Williamson County Caldwell County Colorado County Jefferson County Lavaca County Liberty County Navarro County San Patricio County Williamson County Liberty County Jefferson & Liberty Counties Jefferson County (Burrell Ranch) Liberty County Iranian Black-necked Pheasant (Phasianus eolchicus persious and/or talisahensis Alabama 1969 81 Apr Morgan County Disappeared within two years 20 Table 1. (Continued) State Source and Number (F=farm; year released W=wild) Direct(D) Month or gentle(G) of release release Area (Co.=County) Results Iranian Black-necked Pheasant (Cont'd.) F F F F F F Virginia 1969 2 ,915 1970 1 ,503 1971 5 ,005 1972 706 1973 1 065 1974 268 1975 1976 8 590 D Apr , Sep- Oct D Apr ,Sep- Oct D Apr ,Sep- Oct D Apr ,Sep- Oct D Apr , Sep- Oct D Oct D Nov D Nov Statewide (21 counties ) Statewide (16 counties Statewide (26 counties ) Statewide (10 counties ) Statewide (13 counties ) Augusta, Frederick and Shenandoah Counties Hanover and York Cos. Augusta, Clarke, and Frederick Counties 'Straggling failure Black-necked Pheasant (Phasianus aolohious talisahensis ) Oklahoma 1969 201 F 1970 707 F 262 F 316 F 207 F 283 F Wagoner-Tulsa Cos. Wagoner County Delaware County Wagoner County Muskogee-Wagoner Cos. Cherokee-Wagoner Cos. Pheasant hybrids (Phasianus colchicus talisahensis X P. a. karpowi) D Sep D Jul D Aug D Aug D Aug D Sep Unsuccessful Missouri 1964- 2,989 71 Spring- LaMonte Fall Failure Iranian X Chinese Ring-necked Pheasant (Phasianus aolohious talisahensis X P. o. torquatus) Louisiana 1978 Maryland 1969 50 25 100 70 118 770 730 600 Texas Feb Lake Arthur Apr Washington County Jun Frederick County Jun Howard and Mont- gomery Counties Jul Frederick, Howard and Montgomery Counties Nov-Dec Howard County (Hugg- Thomas ) Nov-Dec Montgomery County (McKee-Beshers) Nov-Dec Washington County (Blair Valley) Some reproduction ob- served in spring breeding season No reproduction; disappeared Stocked for hunting season Table 1. (Continued) 21 State and Number year released Source Direct(D) Month (F=farm; or gentle(G) of Area W=wild) release release (Co.=County) Re s u 1 1 s Iranian X Chinese Ring-necked Pheasant (Cont'd.) Maryland (Cont'd.) 1970 69 15 210 775 670 660 1971 292 Oklahoma 1969 234 F 180 F 222 F 480 F 178 F 221 F 1970 592 F 124 F 107 F Apr Apr Apr Nov-Dec Nov-Dec Nov-Dec Mar D D Jul Jul D D D U Aug Aug Sep Sep D D D Jul-Aug Jul Aug Washington County (Blair Valley) Washington County (Seacrest Farm) Montgomery County (Butz Farm) Washington County (Blair Valley) Montgomery County (McKee-Beshers) Howard County (Hugg- Thomas ) Montgomery County Wagoner County Sequoyah-Muskogee - Cherokee Counties Wagoner -Washing ton Wagoner -Muskogee Tulsa-Wagoner Cos. Del aware -Muskogee - Wagoner Counties Wagoner County Muskogee County Delaware County No reproduction known; disappeared Stocked for hunting season Unsuccessful Western Iranian X Ring-necked Pheasant (Phasianus colohiaus talisehensis X P. a. talisehensis) ndiana 1964 147 1965 25 1966 1 175 1967 510 1968 447 1969 1 ,072 1970 2 113 1971 1 124 Vigo, Sullivan, Greene , and Knox Counties Unsuccessful Ring-necked Pheasant (Phasianus colohieus talisehensis ) 1969 2,820 F 1970 2,725 F 1971 2,858 F 1972 1,800 F 1973 1,748 F 1978 1,010 F Sep-Oct D Sep-Oct D Sep-Nov D Sep-Oct D Oct D Oct-Jan Wappello, Keokuk, and Jefferson Counties Lee and Van Buren Cos. Appanoose County Davis County Van Buren County Webster and Worth Cos. Substantial increase in pheasant popula- tion noted in all southeastern counties by 1978. Results Unknown 22 Table 1. (Continued) State Source Direct(D) Month and Number (F=farm; or gentle(G) of Area year released W=wild) release release (Co.=County) Results Ring-necked Pheasant (Cont'd.) Louisiana 1978 50 Texas Feb Gueydan Some reproduction ob- served in spring breeding season Texas 1969- 493 71 1974- 348 76 2 ,195 1977 1 ,000 1978 1 ,075 1978 133 Matagorda and Jackson Counties Wharton and Matagorda Counties Carson and Gray Cos. Carson, Gray, and Knox Counties Haskell, Knox, and Lynn Counties Victoria and Matagorda Counties Reeves' Pheasant (Syrmatiaus reevesii) Iowa 1969 389 F Washington 1969 50 F 20 F 180 F 55 F 64 F 95 F 100 F 20 F 107 F 1970 116 F 324 F 35 F 123 F 32 F 32 F 48 F 1971 1 F 9 F 10 F 10 F 1 F 6 F 15 F 1 F 15 F 166 F 12 F 17 F Oct Lucas County Apr Chelan County Ferry County Apr King County Apr Kittitas County Lincoln County Apr Okanagan County Apr Pierce County Stevens County Jun Whitman County Asotin County Columbia County Ferry County Garfield County Lincoln County Jan Stevens County Whitman County Adams County Benton County Ferry County Franklin County Garfield County Grant County King County Kitsap County Kittitas County Lincoln County Mason County San Juan County No reproduction known 204 male birds re- leased experimentally on public hunting areas Some survival, appar- ently no reproduction Some birds in 1970 released on public hunting areas 129 birds released in hunting season on regulated hunting areas; rest re- leased in spring and summer Table 1. (Continued) 23 State and Number year released Source Direct(D) Month (F=farm; or gentle(G) of Area W=wild) release release (Co.=County) Results Reeves' Pheasant (Cont'd.) Washington (Cont'd.) 1971 1972 1973 56 F 80 F 2 F 116 F 13 F 1 F 64 F 18 F 4 F 131 F 18 F 9 F 6 F 213 F 24 F 48 F 24 F 22 F 24 F 17 F 129 F 58 34 F 16 F 2 F 7 F 11 F 6 F 1974 156 F 27 F 71 F 30 F 8 F 20 F 67 F 20 F 1975 31 F 30 F 36 F FY 1976- 187 F 77 FY 1977- 221 -F ■ 78 Fall Fall Fall Fall Fall Fall Fall Fall Fall Fall Fall Fall Apr Apr Apr Spokane County Stevens County Walla Walla Whitman County Yakima County Asotin County Ferry County Franklin County Grant County Island County King County Kitsap County Kittitas County Klickitat County Lincoln County San Juan County Stevens County Walla Walla Whitman County Yakima County Stevens, Ferry, Lincoln, Whitman, and Spokane Counties Whatcom, Island, and Skagit Counties Pierce County King County Cowlitz County Lewis County Thurston County Kitsap County Asotin County Clallam County Island County San Juan County Skagit County Spokane County Walla Walla Whatcom County Island County San Juan County Clallum County Island County 233 birds were under- t he-gun plants in ' public shooting areas; rest released in spring and summer 3irds in 1973 were released for hunting purposes 60 birds in 1974 released under the gun in public hunt- ing areas. 94 released in hunt- ing season 120 released in hunt- ing season As the Nation's principal conservation agency, the Department of the Interior has responsibility for most of our nationally owned public lands and natural resources. This includes fostering the wisest use of our land and water resources, protecting our fish and wildlife, preserv- ing the environmental and cultural values of our national parks and historical places, and providing for the enjoyment of life through out- door recreation. The Department assesses our energy and mineral resources and works to assure that their development is in the best interests of all our people. The Department also has a major responsi- bility for American Indian reservation communities and for people who live in island territories under U.S. administration. UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE EDITORIAL OFFICE AYLESWORTH HALL, CSU FORT COLLINS, COLORADO 80523 POSTAGE AND FEES PAID U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR INT 423 NOTE: Mailing Ksts are computerized. Please return address label with change of address.