The Canadian Wild Turkey Federation is working on a plan to introduce wild turkeys to the province for hunting.

Barry Fordham is with the national conservation group and told VOCM Open Line with Linda Swain they’re hoping to meet with government officials in the not-too-distant future to introduce the idea.

He says government will want an Environmental Impact Statement, but they’ll adopt and tailor EIS already put forth in other jurisdictions.

Fordham says the birds could be introduced in central and western Newfoundland where there are hardwood forests. He says the big birds should not displace other species. He says that would include grouse, and ptarmigan—known locally as partridge.

He says they would not compete with native ptarmigan which live on the barrens. He says the two species of grouse, ruffed and spruce are both introduced and while the turkey might compete with those species, they do live together in other jurisdictions.

Some domestic turkey escapes have already established themselves in some areas of the province, but Fordham says the wild turkeys are a different species.

He’s hoping to make a formal approach to government soon.