GROUSE LIBERATIONS 



505 



ment is shipped, one encounters the possible danger of spreading disease and parasites, par- 

 ticularly if the floor becomes dirty. Then, too, water spills through the wire floor, thus elim- 

 inating further fouling. 



At present, most birds for liberation are obtained in Canada. Importation permits must 

 be procured from the Federal Fish and Wildlife Service for those brought across the border 



WHITE OR ORANGE-COLORED CHICKEN 

 FEATHERS, WIRED FAST TO THE TAIL FEATH- 

 ERS OF THE GROliSE BEFORE LIBERATION. AID 

 IN CHECKING ON SUBSEQUENT MOVEMENTS 



(rurdirifr Bump 



LIBERATED GROUSE SOON ADAPT THEMSELVES 

 TO WILD CONDITIONS ALTHOUGH SOME NEVER 

 REGAIN THEIR FEAR OF MAN SO CHARACTER- 

 ISTIC OF THEIR WILD COUSINS 



into the United States. To avoid unnecessary delays it is wise to forward these permits either 

 to the shipper or to the point of importation. 



Method of Liberation 



Although there is a thrill in the sight, no game bird should be encouraged to fly from the 

 point of liberation. If possilile. the container should be placed where food and shelter are 

 abundant and the birds allowed to wander out at leisure. Even with hand-raised birds it is 

 not at all necessary to place feed in tlic innnediatc \icinitv. fi)r once in the covert they seem 

 instinctively to sample buds, leaves and insects. A few released grouse may linger in the 

 vicinity for up to a week, particularly if the feed to which they are accustomed is placed 

 close by. There is no evidence, however, that such artificial feeding tends to encourage any 



