4 minute read
Site Seeing
Pheasant Releases on Conservation Sites
► by Jalen Hulit
Conservation sites across the province hold significant value to fish and wildlife and their habitat. These sites also provide Albertans with recreational opportunities that include hiking, hunting, and fishing. With the goal of increasing recreational hunting opportunities for Albertans, pheasants are released each year on 41 sites throughout the province—many of which are Alberta Conservation Association (ACA) conservation sites.
Hunting pheasants in northern Alberta
Since the inception of the pheasant release program, the aim has been to increase pheasant hunting opportunities in new areas of the province. Pheasant hunting in northern Alberta became a reality in 2016 when ACA began releasing birds at a site north of Grande Prairie. It was such a hit that in 2017 ACA added a second release site at Lac Cardinal near Peace River. Lac Cardinal Point Uplands is a 623-acre release site with a wide variety of habitat that makes hunting both challenging and rewarding. The site is managed in different ways to facilitate pheasant hunting while benefitting all wildlife species that call it home. Strip haying is a habitat management strategy used to manage litter load and promote healthy grass growth. Habitat maintenance is important as it provides the necessities of life for pheasants and many other wildlife species at different times of the year.
Pheasant release site partnerships
Partnerships with like-minded conservation groups are vital in the feasibility of the pheasant release program. Pheasants Forever, Ducks Unlimited Canada, local fish and game associations, and many other conservation groups help to maintain and create wildlife habitat at many pheasant release sites. A 1,097-acre conservation site east of Medicine Hat has been created to preserve both native grasslands and riparian areas along Ross Creek. There has been many wildlife habitat enhancements developed at the site, including wildlife-friendly fencing, shrub plantings, and wetland development—all of which will benefit pheasants and wildlife into the future.
Melanistic pheasants
For the past three years, ACA has randomly released a small number of darker colour phase, or melanistic, pheasants to promote pheasant hunting and create excitement within the hunting community. Melanistic pheasants are the same subspecies as the Chinese ring-necked pheasant, but they produce a higher amount of melanin or dark-coloured pigmentation that cause their feathers to appear darker.
Recreational opportunities near urban centres
Creating more outdoor recreational opportunities near major urban centres has been a priority of ACA since the early days of the pheasant release program. ACA is releasing pheasants on nine sites in central Alberta, all within a two-hour drive of the province’s two largest cities. This includes South Plain Lake east of Edmonton. The 480-acre site was created in 2015 and is heavily used during the pheasant hunting season. Eleven ephemeral wetlands were restored at South Plain Lake, creating great habitat for pheasants and other game bird species. The area also holds high recreational value for other outdoor enthusiasts throughout the year. Many different species call this site home at different times of the year— including waterfowl, moose, black bear, and white-tailed deer—making it a great place to hike and observe wildlife.
