Quail

[GSP]

I know this will be shot down quick, but here I go.
Is there any chance the Dept will consider stocking quail?
Before you break a fingernail typing, please hear me out.

I know the Dept has a good program for wildlife habitat renewal and I use it. Our biologist helped me get a few acres of native grass started. I have also converted the farms beside mine into small game habitat (which the deer & turkey love also). The problem now is there is no quail! They were wiped out in 1977 & 78. They aren’t like frogs, where all you have to do is dig a hole, fill it with water and you have frogs.

I always am quoted references that it will not work because "we did it before". I was part of that action and what happened then was 2-3 thousand birds were shipped to a central distribution point. Anyone could go pick up a box of birds and scatter them into the wind. I know that type of “bird seeding” will not work. I also know that a proper planting of birds will work. I've done it on other farms and I will do it on my own this year for I now have enough area to support them.
My suggestion is I think the Dept should look into stocking of farms that has been approved by the local biologist. The main need of birds is cover! However, there must be seed under that cover to grow.

[grouseguy]

GSP, you've sold me on the idea. Seriously, I know what you are saying to be true. It is definately possible and cost effective to stock quail in the proper situation. I would think a good place to start would be to combine quail stockings with the new small game habitat improvements being planned for the eastern KY WMA's.

[PLB]

gsp,
The department has been there and done that. Before the current Habitat Improvement Program, the dept. was raising quail and giving them to landowners for stocking on private property. It is NOT cost effective, and has proven to have no lasting impact on local populations. There have been numerous studies conducted throughout the U.S. (EKU-has done several), all with similar findings: pen raised birds experience extreme mortality when released in the wild. True, a soft release (Johnny houses, etc...)will ease some of this mortality, but when you have anywhere from 100 to 90% mortality, it is not worth it. Another drawback of releasing pen raised birds is the "lazy breeding" theory. Pen raised birds lack the basic survival skills that a wild bobwhite will enharently have. When a pen raised bird breeds with a wild bird, it may pass on some of these "lazy" characteristics, thus further damaging our quail populations. As far as you question "will the department ever consider stocking quail?" I would bet everything I own that the answer would be a resounding NO. The dept. is more interested in improving our quail numbers through improving out states habitat. I commend you for doing so with your grass planting!!

[Birdman]

Boys it's late if you are really interested in stocking quial go to, small game under stocking quial, if you have any question get back. And PLB don't bet the farm someone may take you up on it. This system works I've tryed it for 14 yrs. GSP what procedure did you use?

[GSP]

Birdman, I've turned small coveys (8-10)of 7 week old birds loose in late July when there are a lot of bugs. I can usually get enough through the winter to nest. The coveys I've seen created this way are not imprinted the least bit. They have either learned to survive or die! Usually out of ten birds you can get 2, sometimes 3 pairs of nester. At the end of the next summer you have an established covey.
I think I'll give your method a try.

[Valley Station]

PLB ,

Sounds like your talking about Ky's "old method" of quail stocking.
F&W would provide clubs with young birds and they were turned loose in mid-summer.We all know that don't work.
Sounds like "Birdmans idea" of releasing nesting adult pairs of quail must work. Has Ky F&W tried it? Are there any documented studies?
Or are the "text book educated" just repeating what theyv'e read in school, that stocking don't work!
I remember before George Wright, the "text book educated" would tell you , "You can't stock a wild turkey, they will not survive"!!
We use to to have 2 to 3 coveys on our old farm, haven't had a covey since winter of '78. " They'll return, "Eventually", dont get it done"!!

[PLB]

Valley,
Bobwhites have been studied more intensively than any other game bird species in the U.S. When I say numerous studies, I literally mean hundreds of studies conducted by Universities, corporations, DNR's, and others. Just about every possible type of release has been thought of, tried, and then tested. Almost all with the same extremely high mortality rates. To look at some of these studies, check out the abstracts from The Journal of Wildlife Management and the Proceedings of the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies at a good library. Again, adequate habitat is the key, and it is now believed that it requires larger patches of this habitat to show a lasting effect on quail populations. We as sportsmen (and biologists) need to promote long-term solutions to this problem such as creating/enhancing large contiguous patches of habitat, and battling habitat fragmentation and clean farming.

[Birdman]

PLB the habitat your taking about is just what the Kentucky Grouse Hunters asked the department to do on our WMA's. Why was this fault so hard?
The quial stocking I explaned under the (small game section)quial stocking section has worked for me for 14 yrs. of course food suppy and cover is a must.

Edited by - Birdman on 03/29/2002 12:48:03 PM