what to do with an albino pheasant?

hoytinak · May 5, 2008, 09:10 PM

While out playing around the farm on the 4-wheeler today I flushed out an albino pheasant. Couldn't see his eyes but he was white as can be....pretty good size too. I've seen him around our land a couple times before and all I could think of was how good he'd look on my living room wall. So this coming Nov. during pheasant season if I happen to flush him out again, should I put him on the wall....or....since he is pretty special should I just let him be?

JWT · May 5, 2008, 09:12 PM

Not sure about the laws in your state, but in many states it is illegal to shoot an albino animal. I'd be content to see the bird whenever you can and let it live.

tyrajam · May 5, 2008, 09:18 PM

He probably won't last long, albinos are different, and anything that is different in the animal kingdom stands out and doesn't last long. I would try my hardest to get him. He either ends up on your wall or as coyote poop, I think its easier to enjoy him on your wall.

hoytinak · May 5, 2008, 09:21 PM

Quote:

Not sure about the laws in your state, but in many states it is illegal to shoot an albino animal.

Good call, guess it's time for me to do some reseach.

pax · May 5, 2008, 09:21 PM

Albino animals don't usually last long. If you really want him on your wall, try stalking him with a camera so you won't have to wait for hunting season.

pax

roy reali · May 5, 2008, 09:40 PM

Serve it with red wine!:

elkman06 · May 5, 2008, 10:01 PM

Could you maybe like,, find him allready perished? And then take him to the game and fish? here in Wyo if you find a dead animal w//impressive horns, etc. A game warden can issue a permit to collect said horns and then you are legal to have them mounted or whatever.
elkman06

ELMOUSMC · May 5, 2008, 11:40 PM

Here in Iowa it is illegal to take any albino animal,a few years back there was an albino doe that was around for 5 or 6 years some hunters found what was left of her in the woods during hunting season.I don't think she had any albino off spring as none has been seen since. ELMOUSMC

hoytinak · May 6, 2008, 12:01 AM

Looks like it is legal to hunt albinos in Texas so this week I'm gonna set the cameras up and keep on eye on him. Who knows, by the time Nov. comes I might just wanna keep him as pet.

hogdogs · May 6, 2008, 07:40 PM

I would target him. Recessive genes are bad for the pool. Not to mention it is a trophy in it's rarity...
Brent

williamd · May 6, 2008, 10:46 PM

Have a standard, a black and a white all mounted and shown together. Attention getters. Need a golden. They all taste good.

PotatoJudge · May 6, 2008, 11:16 PM

It probably doesn't matter if you shoot it or not, so far as the local genetics goes. Albinism is usually autosomal recessive, so the recessive alleles are still floating around the local quail population (because we know at least the parents were carriers, and almost certainly related to some degree). So shoot it or don't, it won't significantly effect the likelihood of encountering more albinos in the future.

Full-choke · May 7, 2008, 06:59 AM

Albinos usually have a very low or even none existent resistance to disease. Their immunities are very low which exposes them to a lot of things they wouldn't normally have to deal with. If it were me, I would probably take him down and take some pride in it. I'ts not every day that you come across one and it will probably end up dead soon anyways. Who knows, you might save it from a pretty bad disease...

F-C

wpcexpert · May 7, 2008, 04:41 PM

Do the little guy a favor and take all his worries away. If you kill him, he won't have to worry about getting sick, finding food, and staying away from the coyotes, foxes, and bobcats. Go ahead, be the good guy and take all his worries away.

williamd · May 7, 2008, 11:32 PM

wpcexpert ... you and I think a lot alike. That should worry you!!

Crosshair · May 8, 2008, 05:29 AM

The laws against taking albinos makes no sense. As mentioned here, albino animals are genetically very weak. It is best to prevent them from reproducing.

wpcexpert · May 8, 2008, 10:53 PM

William, that doesn't worry me one bit. I've always said," If there were more folks like me, this World would be a MUCH better place".

jimbob86 · May 8, 2008, 10:58 PM

Hide him in a snow bank?

MEDDAC19 · May 9, 2008, 08:57 AM

I have often heard about regs that forbid the taking of albino game, yet when I've looked into it I have not found it to be illegal anywhere. In PA the game commission addresses albinos in their hunting publication, they say to go ahead and shoot them for they usually are piebald and if actually albino have a significant chance of not surviving long on their own..

Most white game animals are not albino but just white. True albinos are usually nearly blind and often shunned by their own kind. Don't know how they could be protected since you will only know if it is an albino, and not piebald or white, when you can clearly see it's pink eyes.

They are a genetic mutation that does nothing to improve the species. Most birds that are white are usually not albino but just have white plumage. For those that want a mount, get your animal bleached and colored white, don't know if they can bleach and color feathers white though.

PotatoJudge · May 9, 2008, 05:14 PM

I'm not sure if quail feathers can be fully bleached (blue, in particular, is caused by the crystalline structure of the feather and not a pigment).

I'm of the opinion that any genetic variety is a good thing (maybe not for the individual homozygous for the recessive condition, but for the population as a whole) . Variety ensures survival in changing times.

mikenbarb · May 9, 2008, 05:54 PM

Shoot it and eat it if in season. We have alot of white and golden pheasant in our state but they are all stocked birds and not native so its kinda justified. I know that we dont shoot white deer but pieballed or pintos are on the menu.

Boncrayon · May 11, 2008, 10:33 PM

Leave it alone with amazement! It probably hold rank in the covy. Besides, it will always identify the covy like a flag. Let the coyote take the prize. It would look unnatural on your wall anyway!

RoaringBull · May 12, 2008, 08:16 PM

Like we say here in Texas, there is a place for all of God's creatures, right next to the potatoes and green beans.

williamd · May 14, 2008, 08:28 PM

wpcexpert .. LOL!!

Quote:

William, that doesn't worry me one bit. I've always said," If there were more folks like me, this World would be a MUCH better place".

Ok, let's take over!

wpcexpert · May 21, 2008, 11:41 PM

We will start with California, after they fall, everyone else will just follow suit. Plus we would be doing the rest of the country a huge favor.

May 5, 2008, 09:10 PM	#1
hoytinak Senior Member Join Date: July 5, 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 5,721	what to do with an albino pheasant? While out playing around the farm on the 4-wheeler today I flushed out an albino pheasant. Couldn't see his eyes but he was white as can be....pretty good size too. I've seen him around our land a couple times before and all I could think of was how good he'd look on my living room wall. So this coming Nov. during pheasant season if I happen to flush him out again, should I put him on the wall....or....since he is pretty special should I just let him be?

May 5, 2008, 09:21 PM	#5
pax Senior Member Join Date: May 16, 2000 Location: In a state of flux Posts: 7,520	Albino animals don't usually last long. If you really want him on your wall, try stalking him with a camera so you won't have to wait for hunting season. pax __________________ Kathy Jackson My personal website: Cornered Cat

May 5, 2008, 09:40 PM	#6
roy reali Senior Member Join Date: August 23, 2005 Posts: 3,248	Suggestion? Serve it with red wine!:

May 5, 2008, 10:01 PM	#7
elkman06 Senior Member Join Date: March 14, 2006 Location: Wyoming Posts: 885	Could you maybe like,, find him allready perished? And then take him to the game and fish? here in Wyo if you find a dead animal w//impressive horns, etc. A game warden can issue a permit to collect said horns and then you are legal to have them mounted or whatever. elkman06 __________________ "The right of the citizens to bear arms in the defense of themselves and of the state shall not be denied." Wyoming Constitution Article 1, Sec24 "Better to be tried by 12 than carried by 6"

May 5, 2008, 11:40 PM	#8
ELMOUSMC Senior Member Join Date: June 26, 2007 Location: N.E.IOWA Posts: 384	Here in Iowa it is illegal to take any albino animal,a few years back there was an albino doe that was around for 5 or 6 years some hunters found what was left of her in the woods during hunting season.I don't think she had any albino off spring as none has been seen since. ELMOUSMC __________________ USMC 1965-1992 For God,Country,Corps

May 5, 2008, 09:12 PM	#2
JWT Senior Member Join Date: March 16, 2007 Location: Southern Arizona Posts: 3,888	Not sure about the laws in your state, but in many states it is illegal to shoot an albino animal. I'd be content to see the bird whenever you can and let it live.

May 5, 2008, 09:18 PM	#3
tyrajam Senior Member Join Date: July 24, 2007 Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 467	He probably won't last long, albinos are different, and anything that is different in the animal kingdom stands out and doesn't last long. I would try my hardest to get him. He either ends up on your wall or as coyote poop, I think its easier to enjoy him on your wall.

May 6, 2008, 12:01 AM	#9
hoytinak Senior Member Join Date: July 5, 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 5,721	Looks like it is legal to hunt albinos in Texas so this week I'm gonna set the cameras up and keep on eye on him. Who knows, by the time Nov. comes I might just wanna keep him as pet.

May 6, 2008, 07:40 PM	#10
hogdogs Staff In Memoriam Join Date: October 31, 2007 Location: Western Florida panhandle Posts: 11,069	I would target him. Recessive genes are bad for the pool. Not to mention it is a trophy in it's rarity... Brent

May 6, 2008, 10:46 PM	#11
williamd Senior Member Join Date: March 13, 2007 Location: SoCal Posts: 801	Have a standard, a black and a white all mounted and shown together. Attention getters. Need a golden. They all taste good. __________________ "Outlaw guns and only outlaws will have guns!" Unfortunately, we may be moving in that direction. NRA Benefactor, Conservative!, VN '64-'65. Never sell a gun or a car ... and retire rich!

May 6, 2008, 11:16 PM	#12
PotatoJudge Member Join Date: November 13, 2006 Posts: 62	It probably doesn't matter if you shoot it or not, so far as the local genetics goes. Albinism is usually autosomal recessive, so the recessive alleles are still floating around the local quail population (because we know at least the parents were carriers, and almost certainly related to some degree). So shoot it or don't, it won't significantly effect the likelihood of encountering more albinos in the future.

May 7, 2008, 06:59 AM	#13
Full-choke Senior Member Join Date: May 10, 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 617	Albinos usually have a very low or even none existent resistance to disease. Their immunities are very low which exposes them to a lot of things they wouldn't normally have to deal with. If it were me, I would probably take him down and take some pride in it. I'ts not every day that you come across one and it will probably end up dead soon anyways. Who knows, you might save it from a pretty bad disease... F-C __________________ TC Encore -6mm Rem Rifle; Ruger 10/22; Ruger 10/22 Ultimate; Stoeger Condor 20; ; Remington 1100 12; Stoeger 22 Luger; Taurus PT1911; Ruger SR40c God gave us the gift of life. It is the most precious gift ever. To be unarmed is to be helpless to protect that gift; that is outright irresponsible. - Ted Nugent

May 7, 2008, 04:41 PM	#14
wpcexpert Senior Member Join Date: February 28, 2008 Location: Central Arkansas Posts: 791	Do the little guy a favor and take all his worries away. If you kill him, he won't have to worry about getting sick, finding food, and staying away from the coyotes, foxes, and bobcats. Go ahead, be the good guy and take all his worries away. __________________ When once a republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil. - Thomas Jefferson

May 7, 2008, 11:32 PM	#15
williamd Senior Member Join Date: March 13, 2007 Location: SoCal Posts: 801	wpcexpert ... you and I think a lot alike. That should worry you!! __________________ "Outlaw guns and only outlaws will have guns!" Unfortunately, we may be moving in that direction. NRA Benefactor, Conservative!, VN '64-'65. Never sell a gun or a car ... and retire rich!

May 8, 2008, 05:29 AM	#16
Crosshair Senior Member Join Date: December 16, 2004 Location: Grand Forks, ND Posts: 5,333	The laws against taking albinos makes no sense. As mentioned here, albino animals are genetically very weak. It is best to prevent them from reproducing. __________________ I don't carry a gun to go looking for trouble, I carry a gun in case trouble finds me.

May 8, 2008, 10:53 PM	#17
wpcexpert Senior Member Join Date: February 28, 2008 Location: Central Arkansas Posts: 791	William, that doesn't worry me one bit. I've always said," If there were more folks like me, this World would be a MUCH better place". __________________ When once a republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil. - Thomas Jefferson

May 8, 2008, 10:58 PM	#18
jimbob86 Junior member Join Date: October 4, 2007 Location: All the way to NEBRASKA Posts: 8,722	What to do with a white pheasant? Hide him in a snow bank?

May 9, 2008, 08:57 AM	#19
MEDDAC19 Senior Member Join Date: April 18, 2005 Location: Endless Mts,NEPA Posts: 379	I have often heard about regs that forbid the taking of albino game, yet when I've looked into it I have not found it to be illegal anywhere. In PA the game commission addresses albinos in their hunting publication, they say to go ahead and shoot them for they usually are piebald and if actually albino have a significant chance of not surviving long on their own.. Most white game animals are not albino but just white. True albinos are usually nearly blind and often shunned by their own kind. Don't know how they could be protected since you will only know if it is an albino, and not piebald or white, when you can clearly see it's pink eyes. They are a genetic mutation that does nothing to improve the species. Most birds that are white are usually not albino but just have white plumage. For those that want a mount, get your animal bleached and colored white, don't know if they can bleach and color feathers white though.

May 9, 2008, 05:14 PM	#20
PotatoJudge Member Join Date: November 13, 2006 Posts: 62	I'm not sure if quail feathers can be fully bleached (blue, in particular, is caused by the crystalline structure of the feather and not a pigment). I'm of the opinion that any genetic variety is a good thing (maybe not for the individual homozygous for the recessive condition, but for the population as a whole) . Variety ensures survival in changing times.

May 9, 2008, 05:54 PM	#21
mikenbarb Senior Member Join Date: October 10, 2007 Location: N.J. Posts: 1,111	Shoot it and eat it if in season. We have alot of white and golden pheasant in our state but they are all stocked birds and not native so its kinda justified. I know that we dont shoot white deer but pieballed or pintos are on the menu. __________________ Mike B. Gun control= Being able to hit your target. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/pifinnercircle

May 11, 2008, 10:33 PM	#22
Boncrayon Senior Member Join Date: March 24, 2008 Posts: 920	Albino pheasant Leave it alone with amazement! It probably hold rank in the covy. Besides, it will always identify the covy like a flag. Let the coyote take the prize. It would look unnatural on your wall anyway!

May 12, 2008, 08:16 PM	#23
RoaringBull Member Join Date: April 3, 2008 Location: Waxahachie, TX Posts: 44	Like we say here in Texas, there is a place for all of God's creatures, right next to the potatoes and green beans. __________________ Help keep the tradition alive!! NRA War Eagle Society

May 21, 2008, 11:41 PM	#25
wpcexpert Senior Member Join Date: February 28, 2008 Location: Central Arkansas Posts: 791	Sorry, just saw the reply... We will start with California, after they fall, everyone else will just follow suit. Plus we would be doing the rest of the country a huge favor. __________________ When once a republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil. - Thomas Jefferson