Clarke Courier

Game Restocking Hits
New High In State

Game restocking hit a new high in the Old Dominion during the past year. More quail, more wild turkeys, and more deer have been released in the State since last fall than during any previous year, according to a report released today by the Commission of Game and Inland Fisheries.

More than a thousand wild turkeys and over ten thousand bobwhite quail were set free in Virginia during the past year. Many of the quail were released on small refuges where they could be given special protection. The annual increase from the birds on the refuges naturally moves out and restocks surrounding areas which are open to hunting. Between eight and nine hundred of these small refuges are scattered throughout the State.

The wild turkeys raised last year by the Game Commission were used to restock some of the 2,200 square miles of Virginia forests which could support turkeys if brood stock were present.

Wild turkeys produced in captivity are too expensive to release on areas where turkeys are already present, and where there is now an open turkey hunting season.

The 356 deer brought into Virginia from northern States last winter were also used to restock suitable forest areas where native deer were exterminated years ago by over-hunting. The deer restocking program has been under way for several years, and has been quite successful.

The State Game Commission reports that several fine deer herd are being built up.