State Game Farms

At one time or another in the 20th century, virtually all States in the U.S. had state game farms run by the State Fish and Game agency (or whatever the relevant agency was called). The express purpose of the game farms was to raise game birds for release to provide hunting opportunities. Some of the State game farms are still in existence.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources provides a wonderful history of the Wisconsin Experimental Game and Fur Farm, which was established in 1928, was once the “largest in the country,” and is still going strong.

Timeline of Oklahoma Bird Introduction Events

From the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation timeline (excerpts):

1911 – Ring-necked Pheasant first introduced

1931 – Game Farm opens at Darlington

1948 - Program to re-establish Wild Turkey populations initiated

1949 - First Rio Grand Wild Turkeys released (Harper County)

1960 - Autumn marked the State's first fall Wild Turkey season

1966 – First attempt at introducing giant Canada Goose

1971 – Wild Turkey restocking program successfully re-established the eastern Wild Turkey throughout much of the State east of U.S. Highway 69

1980 – Giant Canada Goose introduction

1982 – First successful introduction of giant Canada Goose

1996 – Darlington Game Farm closed