Press Release 09/05/12 - 2012 Pheasant Release Program Will See Increased Numbers of Birds and Release Properties.


For 2012, Upland Birds Alberta, a privately-funded grassroots organization of concerned individuals with a passion for our pheasant hunting traditions and the economic viability of Alberta, have been asked to manage the pheasant release program. A total of 16,250 pheasant roosters will be released on approximately 60 different properties across southern Alberta, a 17% increase from 2011. Hunters are reminded to use respect at all times, remembering to adhere to all landowner requests. Close gates, hunt on foot, keep vehicles in designated parking lots and trails, pick up all garbage and spent shells, and advise landowners of any livestock or fencing issues you may encounter. Refrain from cleaning birds at release properties, and remember that fires are not allowed on release properties.

Release days are variable through the season, and hunters are discouraged from “following the truck” as this is both unethical and can be a safety hazard to release personnel.

Following are the legal land descriptions for the 2012 release properties, along with additional information about these sites that will help ensure a safe and enjoyable hunting experience.


BROOKS AREA RELEASE SITES – Releases between Oct. 15 and Nov. 30
Millicent (NE19, 30 - 20 - 13 - W4) - pdf Map – Millicent is a provincially-designated release property, meaning that there is no hunting after 2 p.m. except on Saturdays. Please consult your regulations for additional information. Designated parking site.
Antelope Creek Ranch (N1/2 1, N1/2 and SW2, 3, 4, 5, E1/2 6, E1/2 7, 8, 9, 10, S1/2 11, SW12, 16, 17 and E1/2 18 - 19 - 16 - W4) - pdf Map – Pick up a ranch brochure at the entry gate. The enclosed map will show parking areas and outlines rules for hunting the property.
Aqueduct Marshes (Pt. NE9, NW10, N1/2 and Pt. SE 15, Pt. SE and Pt. NE 16 – 18 – 14 – W4) - pdf Map – Two designated parking areas.
Bobby Hale (8 – 21 – 17 – W4) – Three gated parking areas.
Lore Lake (SW4, S1/2 5 – 20 – 17 – W4) - pdf Map – Vehicle access along south canal bank. Canal road is fair weather access only – do not rut up in wet conditions. Foot access to property only. Park in designated area.
Sproule Property (SE35 – 14 – 14 – W4) - pdf Map – Designated parking area.
Long Pump (Pt. E1/2 31 – 19 – 14 – W4) - pdf Map – Access is limited to the south parking area. Hunters must not trespass west of the property.
Vern Potuik (SW36 – 16 – 13 – W4) - pdf Map – Designated parking area.


RED DEER/STETTLER AREA RELEASE SITES
Buffalo Lake Buck for Wildlife Project (9 and SW10 – 40 – 21 – W4) – Releases between Oct. 1 and Nov. 11 - pdf Map – This is a provincially designated release site and subject to specific regulations, including no hunting after 2 p.m. except on Saturdays. Please review the provincial hunting regulations for more details. Designated parking area.
Bigelow Buck for Wildlife Project (3, E9, SW10 & LSD 12 and 13 of 10 – 34 – 25 – W4) – Releases between Oct. 1 and Nov. 11 - pdf Map – This is a provincially designated release site and subject to specific regulations, including no hunting after 2 p.m. except on Saturdays. Please review the provincial hunting regulations for more details. Designated parking area.
Connie North and Grandfield DUC Project (E1/2 11 – 37 – 19 – W4) – Releases between Oct. 15 and Nov 11 - Power Point Map (right click "save target as")
– Access and parking is on the east side of the property at approach to old oil lease road.


STRATHMORE AREA RELEASE SITE – Releases between Oct. 15 and Nov. 30
Namaka Lake (6 – 23 – 23 – W4) - pdf Map – Designated parking in northeast corner of property. Private land directly east of parking is no trespassing. Buck for Wildlife tree-planted area southeast of parking is available for hunting. Private Encana road is not for hunter travel.


HIGH RIVER AREA RELEASE SITE – Releases between Oct. 15 and Nov. 15
Frank Lake (NE26, NE35, SE35 – 18 – 28 – W4) – Two parking areas. The first is on NW35 – 18 – 28 – W4 on the northwest corner of Frank Lake Basin 1 (north basin). Travel 10.4 km (6.5 miles) on Highway 23 east of High River. Turn right(south) at Watchable Wildlife Sign travel east 1.2 km (.75 miles) to parking area.  Please do not proceed southeast to observation kiosk.  
The second parking area is on NE 26-18-28, the southwest corner of Frank Lake Basin 2 (middle basin). Travel 9.6 km (6 miles) on Highway 23 east of High River. Turn right(south) at 168 Street East.  Follow gravel road 3.2 km (2miles) turn left (east) at 562 Avenue East. Go 1.6 km (1mile) and turn left(north) at 184 Street East and go .8 km (.5 miles) and arrive at parking area. 


MEDICINE HAT AREA RELEASE SITES – Releases between Oct. 15 and Nov. 4
Sauder Lake Habitat Site (S1/2 7 – 12 – 8 – W4; N1/2 and SE 12 – 12 – 9 – W4)
Peigan Creek Habitat Site (N1/2 13, S1/2 24 - 7 – 7 – W4)
Ducks Unlimited Project (SW2 – 10 – 8 – W4)


PRIVATE PROPERTY RELEASE SITES – The following release properties are all located on land held by private individuals. Note that it is your responsibility to look up and contact the landowners to secure permission to hunt these locations!! Historically these landowners have been gracious enough to allow access but ownership / circumstances change over time, so be courteous and contact them for access permission and conditions.

NE32-10-4-W4
W1/2 24-10-2-W4
14-11-1-W4
SW29-9-8-W4
NE28-11-6-W4
SW13-11-7-W4
NW20-11-6-W4  
NE11-11-7-W42 
SE18-10-2-W4 
W1/2 14-11-3-W4   
NW 1-10-1-W4   
S1/2 25-9-3-W4  
SW33-9-2-W4  
SE15-10-2-W4   
E1/2 15-11-3-W4
23-11-1-W4
SW35-9-8-W4
NW2-10-8-W4
NE29-11-6-W4
S1/2 3-11-7-W4
SE33-11-6-W4
NE 9-10-4-W4
NW18-10-2-W4
SE26-10-3-W4
SE24-9-1-W4
SE30-9-2-W4
SE26-9-1-W4
W1/2 23-10-2-W4


LETHBRIDGE AREA RELEASE SITES
– Releases between Oct. 15 and Nov. 15
CPR Lake (SE14- 10 – 20 – W4)
McVinnie (SW33 – 12 – 21 – W4)
Devil’s Coulee (21 – 4 – 19 – W4) – 4 hunters allowed each morning and afternoon. Hunters must book a time by calling Heinze Plontke at 403-752-3825.
Don Quinton Lease (NW23 – 04 – 19 – W4) – Sign-in station at gate provides direction for where hunters can drive and hunt. Foot access only.
(N1/2 27, SE28, SE32 – 4 – 20 –W4) – Sign-in station at main gate provides directions regarding hunter opportunities and restrictions.
Milford Hutterite Colony (NE14 – 05 – 21 – W4) – Hunters must call Ben Wipf at 403-752-3151 for permission.
DU Milford Colony Project (SW30 – 05 – 20 – W4)
Deerfield Pheasants Forever Property (NW22 – 5 – 21 – W4)


CARDSTON AREA RELEASE SITES – Hunters are reminded to use respect when accessing these properties.
Long Property – SE18-2-24-W4
Smith Property – NE24-2-25-W4
Big Bend Colony
        a. NE35-2-24-W4
        b. SW27-2-24-W4