Exactly what I thought of!!!!^^^^. Pheasants. Some introductions are clearly fine & the ecosystem can support or thrive off of them. Some are a detriment.
Most introductions are not on purpose - everything from Asian carp, chestnut blight, covid, poison ivy, zebra mussels, bush honey suckle, etc etc etc) so many with downsides it’s an endless list.
The ones that we do introduce need vast thought at how they ripple through the ecosystem. Heck- my home state of MI…. Those salmon we caught in lake MI- all stocked I believe. The alewives (fish they eat)… accidentally introduced - that relationship worked out great!
Let’s also face it…. The sub-species of whitetail deer are not native to most areas. That one is a little easier to accept & clearly worked out well. & the “mad scientist” part of me that does like the animals that end up being very beneficial…. It has gone through my crazy brain with no seriousness….. “be cool if the areas where all the 1.5 year old deer get shot…. If restock those areas with deer that get 140”+ at 1.5”. Would be impossible without removing all/most the deer & getting a huge genetic stock that’s proven. Won’t happen but sure is interesting to ponder some “cool things” science could solve for hunting issues.
Basic science & wildlife biologists have created a lot of beneficial hunting & fishing opportunities through out the years. Even stuff like walleye stocking efforts. Can’t paint any of this with a broad brush. Some good, some bad.
