Releasing pen raised birds can be effective if done the right way. good birds,the right age birds,habitat(food,water, cover), good nesting cover,predator control,hunting pressure. We do it on 3 different farms in NC and have pretty good luck. Released coveys in earley Sept and still finding them in May. Saw 5 different broods on one of the farms this spring. Only problem is you have to releave alot of coveys to get a few pairs that will reproduce.