Nova Scotians......Soooo close.

[Strut10]

Press release from the NWTF

What are your elected officials thinking??????

"Nova Scotia Ag. Minister Rejects Wild Turkey Introduction"

Despite public support for the introduction of wild turkeys and a lack of evidence suggesting that wild turkeys would harm crops, livestock or other plant and wildlife species, the Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture has rejected efforts to introduce the game bird into the province.

Biologists for the National Wild Turkey Federation- Canada (NWTF) have worked with the Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources for four years to gain clearance to introduce wild turkeys to the province. The International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies coordinated an independent scientific review of the NWTF's release proposal and a risk assessment about birds bringing disease into the province.

According to Barry Sabean, the Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources director of wildlife, the risk assessment found that wild turkeys would pose little disease threat. But, he said, a low risk was still too much for agricultural groups concerned about avian flu and mad cow disease.

"It's obvious that unfounded concerns in the agricultural community played a stronger role in this decision than did sound scientific evidence from the professional wildlife community," said Joel Pedersen, NWTF biologist. "State and provincial wildlife departments have moved more than 185,000 wild turkeys throughout North America over the past 50 years. There has never been any scientific or anecdotal evidence to suggest that these turkeys transferred diseases to other wild or domestic animals or had any negative impact on plant or wildlife species already present."

NWTF volunteers throughout the province had raised money through their Hunting Heritage banquets to bring wild turkeys into Nova Scotia. There are six NWTF chapters in Nova Scotia.

"We're disappointed with the Department of Natural Resources' decision, and disappointed that people in the province won't have the chance to enjoy this awesome bird," said Steve Gloade, Nova Scotia provincial chapter president. "I love to hunt wild turkeys and we've shown that there's no biological reason to keep the turkeys out. I want to be able to turkey hunt with my son and daughters, but traveling away from home isn't always possible because they're in school during the spring turkey season."

In a statement made on behalf of Richard Hurlburt, the Nova Scotia Minister of Natural Resources, Chris d'Entremont, the Minister of Agriculture, told Nova Scotians that what these hunters have fought to achieve is not what the province needs. At least not at this time.

"We've reviewed the matter carefully and are satisfied that we've come to the correct conclusion based on the current situation," said d'Entremont. "If, at some point, new information is presented to us to suggest otherwise, we'll revisit the issue."

But information stating that wild turkeys wouldn't pose a threat to the province has already been made available to both the Department of Natural Resources and the Department of Agriculture.

"It's obvious that the sound, independent information that our biologists and volunteers worked so hard to provide was simply ignored," said Carl Brown, NWTF Chief Operating Officer. "Mr. d'Entremont says that they'll revisit the issue, but they've already ignored sound data that clearly states that releasing wild turkeys is not a risk to natural communities or agricultural interests. They made their decision based upon fear and emotion, and that's never good business."

In his statement, the Minister of Agriculture also said that no businesses that depend on wild turkeys exist in Nova Scotia, implying that bringing turkeys into the province would provide no economic benefits.

Yet studies show that turkey hunting creates huge benefits for local economies. For example, in 2003 Ontario spring turkey hunters spent $8.2 million on hunting licenses, equipment and travel.

A 2003 study, commissioned by the National Wild Turkey Federation and conducted by Responsive Management, found that the average spring turkey hunter spent $784 annually on products such as licenses and permits, habitat improvement, firearms, trucks, ATVs and other vehicles, and food and travel. Of the $784 annual expenditures, the average spring turkey hunter spent $207 for travel-related goods and services. This includes food, drink and refreshments, lodging, public and private transportation, and guide, pack and package fees.

These dollars are often spent in rural or lightly populated areas that benefit from the economic boost. The current decision by the Ministry will cause hunters to spend this money in the States and Ontario instead of at home in Nova Scotia. "Hunters, including spring turkey hunters, are spending lots of money each year in pursuit of their sport, to enhance wildlife populations and improve habitat," said Rob Keck, NWTF CEO. "They are an economic force that should be recognized, and everyone, including wild turkeys and other wildlife, stands to benefit."