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- Modern era
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- Beaver Island
Summary
Bruce Meixsell of Dutch Acres sought permission to release hatchery turkeys on Beaver Island. The state questioned whether the birds were genuinely wild and did not renew the expired permit described in the article. Meixsell did receive a separate permit for three adult and 26 young Chinese Ringneck pheasants, expected for release in June or July. The April follow-up says the Department preferred Michigan-reared stock, the Game Club had contacted two approved hatcheries, winter trapping had not succeeded, and four department turkeys survived the winter in healthy condition.
Evidence and limits
The sources establish a permit dispute, a planned pheasant release, an unsuccessful winter trapping effort, and survival of four department turkeys. They do not establish a completed turkey release, the scientific validity of the letter questions, a later population increase, or the later fate of either bird population.
Sources
- Beaver Beacon, March 1962, “Turkey Talk.”Reports Bruce Meixsell’s expired permit for wild turkeys from Stromberg Hatchery, his request for renewal, the state’s concern about whether the stock was truly wild, and a separate permit for three adult and 26 young Chinese Ringneck pheasants expected for June or July release. The letter’s inbreeding and original-release questions are preserved as opinion, not scientific findings.
- Beaver Beacon, April 1962, “More Turkey Talk.”Reports Ray Schofield’s statement that the Michigan Department of Conservation wanted Michigan-reared stock, the Beaver Island Game Club’s contact with two approved hatcheries, and the club’s effort to prevent diseased or otherwise undesirable birds. It also records no success from winter turkey trapping and says the four department turkeys brought the previous fall survived and were healthy; it does not establish a population increase.