Releasing Pheasants In Vermilion

Back in September 1949, there was a rather odd initiative conducted in Vermilion. The decision was made by the Vermilion Fish and Game League to bolster the local bird population. To that end, 500 pheasants were purchased in early September from Brooks.

The pheasants had been introduced to Alberta from China back in 1926 when 400 were brought in and released.

This was just the first phase of the plan, with another 500 pheasants to be purchased the following year.

The first 500 pheasants were released on the ranch of Homer Campbell, about 25 kilometres to the north of Vermilion.

For Homer Campbell, it meant a lot of extra work as he took on feeding and protecting the birds completely. He stated that owls and hawks were taking a large toll on the pheasants. He asked that there be a culling of the predator birds before too many of the pheasants were gone.

Anyone who could hunt the birds, anywhere in the area, were asked to do so. Unfortunately, this meant a lot of hawks and owls were killed for simply finding food to eat where it was plentiful.

This was in the days before people realized the importance of predatory birds on the eco-system. At the time, they were seen as pests more than anything.

Food for the birds was also a problem. Farmers were asked to bring any feed that they could and to contact the game warden if they are able to help in any way.

George Senz and other members of the Fish and Game League stated they were more than happy to pick up any feed that was available to help Campbell with the pheasants.

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