bigugli Posted April 28, 2009 Report Share Posted April 28, 2009 OFAH FILE: 842 April 28, 2009 For immediate release ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- It's time to talk turkey Expanded opportunities for 2009 spring and fall wild turkey seasons ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Many outdoors enthusiasts are talking turkey this week, as Ontario's wild turkey season opened Monday, April 27 in much of southern Ontario. This year's season includes an expansion into several new wildlife management units (W.M.U.'s) introduced by the Ministry of Natural Resources (M.N.R.) for 2009. The Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (O.F.A.H.), Ontario's largest nonprofit fish and wildlife-based conservation organization, welcomes the additional opportunities for its members and wishes all hunters a safe and enjoyable season in the great outdoors. "The spring wild turkey season continues to grow in popularity with hunters of all ages and walks of life. Spring is an ideal time to be in the field, and this challenging game bird makes for a memorable experience," said O.F.A.H. Executive Director, Mike Reader. "The addition of new wildlife management units this year means that even more enthusiasts can experience time in the outdoors, and if they're fortunate, harvest a wild turkey." W.M.U.'s 46, 54, 55A and 57 are now included in the spring wild turkey season, and W.M.U.'s 65, 66A, 80, 85, 87 and 91 will be part of the 2009 fall season. The reintroduction of wild turkey, a partnership effort of the M.N.R., O.F.A.H., National Wild Turkey Federation, landowners, volunteers and others, is one of the province's most successful wildlife restoration initiatives, and led to the introduction of a wild turkey season in 1987. The O.F.A.H. invested over half a million dollars in the restoration program, and as the population became well established, supported a second turkey hunting licence, all-day turkey hunting, Sunday gun hunting, and most recently, a fall season, which began in 2008. Conservative estimates place the province's wild turkey population between 70,000 and 100,000. According to the M.N.R., a total of 10,964 birds were harvested in 2008, including 472 harvested in the first fall season. Mandatory reporting is in place for wild turkey. For more information on hunting regulations, pick up a copy of the ministry's Ontario 2009 Hunting Regulations Summary guide, available at ServiceOntario Centres and outfitters, or visit www.ontario.ca/hunting. Wild turkey licensing fees generate approximately one million dollars annually for the M.N.R.'s Special Purpose Account, which is used to support fish and wildlife programs across Ontario. The socioeconomic value of Ontario's wild turkey hunt, with outfitting, travel, accommodation and other expenditures, is estimated to be more than ten million dollars annually. With over 100,000 members, subscribers and supporters, and 660 member clubs, the O.F.A.H. is Ontario's leading fish and wildlife conservation organization, and the voice of anglers and hunters. For more information, visit www.ofah.org. -30- Contact Lezlie Goodwin O.F.A.H. Communications Coordinator (705) 748-6324 ext 270 (705) 760-5537 (cell) ------------------------------------------------------------ You are receiving this message as you have signed up to receive electronic updates from the website of the Ontario Federation of Anglers & Hunters ( www.ofah.org ). UPDATE YOUR ACCOUNT http://www.ofah.org/Updates.cfm?A=Up&I...gliboys@aol.com UNSUBSCRIBE http://www.ofah.org/Updates.cfm?A=UnSub&am...gliboys@aol.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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