- Date
- 1961-08-31
- Kind
- Conservation
- Where
- Angeline Bluff
- Carried out by
- Michigan Conservation Department
- Eras
- Modern era
- Concepts
- conservationenvironmentcommunity
- Within
- Beaver Island
Summary
On August 31, 1961, the Conservation Department delivered the first wild turkeys to Beaver Island. Two adult females and six young birds had been trapped at the Swan Creek Wildlife Experiment Station; the adults died before the airplane delivery, while the six young birds were released at the Angeline Bluff area.
The September report says the young birds were four females and two males, weighing between 2 pounds 10 ounces and 3 pounds 13 ounces. It records plans to bring more birds and increase the flock to thirty, with no near-term wild- turkey hunting season. A November follow-up says the six young birds appeared healthy, had grown considerably, and were seen near town.
Evidence and limits
This is a source-bounded release and follow-up, not proof of a completed stocking program, a self-sustaining flock, or a later hunting season. The sources do not identify the aircraft, exact release coordinates, individual birds, transport crew, or the later fate of the flock.
Open questions
- Were the planned additional birds delivered, and when did the flock reach thirty?
- Did the introduced flock survive, reproduce, or lead to a later hunting season?
- Can wildlife-station, aircraft, or state stocking records identify the transport and release details?
See also
Sources
- Reports the August 31 delivery of two adult females and six young birds from the Swan Creek Wildlife Experiment Station; both adults died before the flight, and the six young were released at the Angeline Bluff area. It gives the birds' sex and weight range and says plans called for bringing more birds to reach a flock of thirty.data1 · beaver-island-archive · beaver_beacon · 1961-09_Beaver-Beacon
- The held seven-page issue scan is paired with the OCR source and confirms the published notice or report; it does not expand the source-specific identity, event, or outcome claims.data1 · beaver-island-archive · scans · beaver_beacon · issues · 1961-09_Beaver-Beacon
- Reports that the six August birds were seen near town, appeared healthy, had grown considerably, and prompted plans for more Conservation Department releases.data1 · beaver-island-archive · beaver_beacon · 1961-11_Beaver-Beacon
- The held five-page issue scan is paired with the OCR source and confirms the published notice or report; it does not expand the source-specific identity, event, or outcome claims.data1 · beaver-island-archive · scans · beaver_beacon · issues · 1961-11_Beaver-Beacon
Added 1 August 2026 · revised 3 August 2026. Recent changes
Cite this article
Beaver Island Archive, “First wild-turkey release on Beaver Island, 1961”, https://beaverislandarchive.org/events/release-of-wild-turkeys-on-beaver-island-1961/, accessed [date], citing Beaver Beacon, September 1961, “Wild Turkeys Arrive.” (and 3 further sources listed on the page).
Last revised 2026-08-03. Fill in [date] with the date you read it — this page is static and cannot know that.
BibTeX for “First wild-turkey release on Beaver Island, 1961”RIS for “First wild-turkey release on Beaver Island, 1961”