Jamestown weekly alert. [volume] (Jamestown, Stutsman County, D.T. [N.D.]) 1882-1925, 1920-04-08
LARGE FLOCK OF
PHEASANTS GIVEN
STUTSMAN COUNTY
Game Birds Raised by State
Liberated on DePuy Ranch
Near Jim Lake-Sports-
men Asked to Protect
Them.

A flock of forty-two Chinese ring
neck pheasants passed thru James,
town Tuesday morning on their way
to DePuy ranch near Jim lake where
they will be liberated. The birds
were raised on the state game farm
near Grafton and were brot to James
town by George M. Hogue, head Of
the state game commission, State
Game Warden W. F. Reko, and H. b.
Williams, who has charge Of the state
farm at Grafton. The state game
officials were unable to make the auto
trip out to the lake. having been call
ed back to Bismarck OH some matter
pertaining to the game department,
and the birds were taken out to the
ranch in three cars, Dr. r. G. DePuy,
NJ. o. Ruud and Rev. o. l.. Anthony
of Oakes making the trip. Mr.. De-
Puy's property, containing $500
acres, lies within the state game pre-
serve.
Stutsman Gets First Large Flock.
The covey Of birds liberated in
Stutsman county is the first large
flock to be set free by the state game
commission, Mr.. Hogue stating that
the birds were sent because the coun-
ty has the strongest sportsmen's or
ganiation in the state and that 1t
was felt that the birds would get bet
ter protection here than in any other
county. The protection of the pheas-
ants from thotless or inexperienced
hunters is the most important consid-
Grafton in placing the game birds,
Mr.. |Hogue explained, many persons
mistaking the pheasants for grouse
or prairie CHICKEN Notices will be
sent to all of the schools of the vi
cinity of Jim lake and placed in the
papers of the county and 1t is hoped
that there will be no trouble from
this source.
There is penalty Of a fine of from
ten to fifty dollars for each bird kill
ed, but the state officials wish to ap-
peal to the sportsmanship OF the
hunters rather than to their fear Of
the law.
Mandan Case.
State Game Warden Reko recalled
a case at Mandan which illustrated
the point that the principal danger is
from the persons who would fail to
distinguish between the pheasants
and prairie chicken. A number of
pheasants were liberated at Mandan
and few weeks later farmer tele-
phoned in to Mr.. Reko asking per-
mission to shoot freak chicken"
for mounting purposes. The man
said that he had seen the chicken
with a white ring around its neck.
Mr.. Reko Immediately suspected that
the man had seen one Of the Chinese
pheasants and warned him not to
shoot 1t.
The. female birds look very much
like ordinary grouse but have much
longer tails and can be easily dis
tinguished from grouse when flying
as they fly straighter and much swift
er. The male birds. in addition to
the loner tail, have red spots around
their eyes, necks of bluish-green
color and below this white ring.
The colored neck has metallic lustre
and set of by the red spots above and
che white feathers below makes
beautiful bird and one which would
be Immediately distinguished by any
hunter from native game birds of
North Dakota.
Birds Are Hardy.
Mr.. Williams, who cares for the
birds at the state farm, stated that
the birds are very hardy, and altho
shelter was provided for them this
past winter, the shelter was seldom
used. The birds will not set in ca D
tivity but continue to lay during the
summer months. the eggs being
out under ordinary hens. Mr..
said that he had known Of
only one instance where pheasant
hen had built her nest within shell
ter.
Two male and two female birds
will be left with DR.. Hotchkiss at the
state hospital. two Of which may be
liberated on the grounds and the
other two kept in some sort Of pen.
Raising English can Ducks.
B Rev. o. i. Anthony. pastor. OF the
Methodist church At oakes. Who ac-
companied the party to- the DePuy.
ranch, hiss q state permit tO raise