Stocking quail??

[Valley Station]

Once the habitat is returned , can quail be successfully stocked into the wild using "pen raised" birds?? Is there any good literature on this?
Has anybody discussed trapping wild quail and relocating them like was done with wild turkey program?? Is it to cost prohibitive??
I'm sure quail will "eventually" return to an area, but , can't we do better than "eventually"??
Quail Unlimited doesn't seem to have any answers.

[Multidigits]

I asked the question before and WD and others said no. They quoted the sitistics for pen raised birds, and also relocating wild birds. I do know it can be done to some extent, but you have to provide release pens and callers to get the birds back to them in the evenings. I'd be interested in hearing what you find out, if you find it's worth trying.

[Birdman]

V.S. quail can be successfully stocked if done properly. Take a muture pair, let the hen begin to lay, at that point place both, hen and cock in the area you wish to restock. The hen will begin to nest at that time. I've been doing this for 14 yrs. and 87% produce coveys. The first year I set 6 pair, 5 of which produced coveys, The next year I had 11 coveys in that area. Last year we set 21 pair with 17 pair having coveys. So it will work, and muture birds don't cost that much at least with a return like that.

[Valley Station]

Birdman,

Youv'e hit on something that sounds really unique. Iv'e never heard of anything like that.
Do you "create" a nest site , use a few of the hen's eggs to get her started? What kind of nesting habitat seems to work best? Grownup fenceline? Any precautions toward predators? June and July?
Have you discussed your success with F&W??
Tell us what youv'e learned , so we all can duplicate your success..
Many Thanks

[grouseguy]

Birdman is exactly right! The key to successful quail stocking is timing. The Dept used to supply quail in the fall to individuals to use in restocking. In reality, what was accomplished was a huge put-&-take quail shoot, because the quail were released just prior to quail season, and they had to face hunters and the elements before they had a chance to re-acclimate.

Stock them in the spring, when they can nest and reproduce, while not having to face hunters. They also get to enjoy moderate temps, easily obtainable food, and a chance to acclimate to their new surroundings. If you then have a successful hatch, by November you have a truly wild covey capable of surviving on their own.

Looks to me like this would be an excellent supplement to the planned small game habitat improvements being scheduled for the eastern KY WMA's.

[Valley Station]

Gentlemen,

Have you discussed this with F&W? What is their response?
The only response that i"ve heard since winter of '78, is that , they'll return on their own,"EVENTUALLY"! and Plant native grass.

[Birdman]

Valley, I was in a hurry this morning. If your interested in restocking quial, here we go. You need winter raised birds or birds that are at least 150 to 180 days old by the 15th of April. Hens will start laying at this age. Pick your spots (with good habitat and a good food source). Take one cock and one hen that has started laying. Place your pair in an area withgood cover. Both birds will begin doing their thing(nest building etc). The nest building and the fact that the hen has started laying is the key. Do not use birds that have been on a high protein diet and under heat lights.
The search for a mate is when Mr. Hawk feeds well and your quial population drops dramatically. I have a friend that has rasied quial for years(25). I pick the areas I'm giong to restock while grouse hunting in Jan. and Feb. usually 8 to 10 locations and let John know how many birds to hold over. I pay a little extra, because of the food bill, normally $3.50 to $4.00 but in late Oct. and early Nov. it's worth ever penny. I've set over 100 pairs and have only taken two birds. I use these birds to work my young dogs or take elderly hunters that cann't get around anymore or young hunters to introduce them to bird hunting. The people that really hurt quail in this area are (some) rabbit hunters. They'll chase a covey until their no more. If you deside to do this and need more information get in touch. Or if your wandering why the department doesn't use this method get in touch. Some people wear their feelings on their shoulder. This really works.
PS If you put out more than one pair put them at least 200 yds. apart. The hens don't have to look for a mate you've supplied her one. DO NOT PLANT THESE BIRDS IF IT'S WET OR IF THEIR GIVING RAIN FOR AT LEAST A WEEK IF POLLIBLE.( SUDDEN DEATH.)


Edited by - Birdman on 03/26/2002 10:02:45 PM

[GSP]

Fellows I started a thread called "QUAIL" in the Department section. There is a reply there about the Departments stance on this issue.
Bottom line though, is the best dirt in the world want grow anything without a seed!

[Birdman]

GSP I saw your line late last night and their response. If the department would take time to try this (setting pairs of birds), one year would convince them it really works. It's a shame that some people are so closed mined about something that wasn't their ideal.
I'm going to set 10 pair this year if everone would set a few pairs a year for the next ten years our quial would be in much better shape. I know it shoulds to easy to be true but it works.

[GSP]

Ronnie, I'm interested in giving your method a try. When you going to plant birds? Is the guy you get your off of going to have any extra?

[Birdman]

Rick I'll check with him today I know he's low on birds, how many pair are we looking at.

[GSP]

I would like to only get 5-6 pair. I have one area that I would like trying this in

[grouseguy]

Ronnie,

I too would like to establish a quail population on our farm. You've been there, how many pair do you think I should turn out based on your experience? How ever many you think it will take, see if John has them left over and I'll come down and pick them up.

[Birdman]

Mark I would start out with 4 pair and go from there. I'll put my birds out this year because of the weather about the last week of April or the first weed of May.

[Valley Station]

Gentlemen ,

I got a list of people who raise quail from F&W and started calling some and couldn't find anybody who had birds left that was willing to sale.Seemed to be a big demand for birds last year.
F&W need to up-date their list, some said "we haven't raised quail in 3 or 4 years , wish F&W would take us off the list."
Anybody know where I can get 6 or 8 pair of mature birds??

[2506TEX]

there's A man in Ohio county that usually has A lot
of birds for sale. e-mail me and i'll give you his name &
number.

Tex Ball

[2506TEX]

there's A man in Ohio county that usually has A lot
of birds for sale. e-mail me and i'll give you his name &
number.

Tex Ball

[Valley Station]

2506Tex ,

If your talkin', Glenn Southard of Beaver Dam, he's out till he can get more hatched out. I'm lookin' for mature pairs.

[Birdman]

Valley some people that keeps hens for laying will let those go when they gather enough eggs for themself. I'll try and contact some people for you. If I have any luck I'll get back.


PS 10-4 on up dating records.

[backwoods]

Hey Fellow's
I should have some birds for sale later Iam in process of hatching some now Email me at backwoodscalls@hotmail.com

[Birdman]

Backwoods I think Valley is looking for hens that are laying,to set for reproduction.
Did you get my e-mail on bidding birds for next year? If not email me at rgwells32@hotmail.com. We will be needing birds for Oct. Or call 606-789-2612.

[mgrouse]

Hey Birdman,
I am also interested in stocking pairs as you described. I have a good place to do it, but the same place is where I run my dog frequently. If I stock the pairs, do I need to keep my dog away until after the hatch and maturation of the birds?

Also, for those looking for birds in Central KY, in the past few years I have bought birds from a guy named Charlie Taylor who lives outside of Berea. Whenever I've been there, he's had lots of birds (even had about ten grouse chicks a couple of years ago), but I am not sure whether he still has them.



Edited by - mgrouse on 04/09/2002 10:19:47 AM

[Birdman]

mgrouse the dogs need to stay at home until the birds are at least one month old. Where are yu from?

[mgrouse]

I was born and raised in Pikeville, but I have lived in Lexington the last twelve years.

[GSP]

Hey Mgrouse, you run any of the trials at the BGSL?

[Birdman]

Rick, Mark I've been gone for a while but hopefully I'm back for a while. At least I'm back. I'll have a few pair of birds for both of you exactly how many I'm not sure but when this ran is over we will get down to bare facts and I'll get back. Didn't what you to think I had forgotten about you and the birds.

[GSP]

Glad to hear your back Birdman, thought you and the grouse had flown out of the coup

[grouseguy]

Sounds good, Ronnie. Just let me know, and I'll be down to pick them up.

[Birdman]

Mgrouse I may have a few pair extry are you still interested? If so I need a way to get in touch quickly.

[GSP]

Hey Birdman,
How is this weekend looking for turning some bird loose? I'll try calling you Wed or Thurs.

[Birdman]

Rick looks like this week will work, just call. Mark tryed it Sat. I hope it'll work, te weather was ruff up here. I've got an ideal on the WMA issue I would like to run it by ya. Call.

[GSP]

Ronnie, I'll get in touch this week. Rick

[grouseguy]

Like Ronnie said, we set 5 pairs of quail on our farm in southeastern Carter Co. on Saturday, 5/18/02. I'll try to give updates throughout the summer if I see any broods.

[Birdman]

Grouseguy will you be able to make the federation meeting on th 2nd of June?

[grouseguy]

Birdman, I'm unsure at this time. It depends on if my son qualifies and does well at the state track meet on the 1st. If he wins the state meet, theres a good chance we will stay in Lexington on the night of the 1st and celebrate. No offense, but I hoping I can't make it. Hope you understand.

[GSP]

Good talking with you tonight Birdman. I'll see you Sunday and I really do want to thank you for saving me some birds.

[GSP]

Good seeing you today Ronnie. I got the birds planted. They were calling before I left. I hope to get a covey out of them. They looked healthy. One hen took off and flew a good 75 yards uphill. I'll keep you posted and thanks again.
Rick

[Birdman]

GSP I feel sure you'll get at least two covey if those flying eating machines don't get them before they start nesting. They should be on nest by tomrrow. We'll set more next year. Grouseguy I cann't beleave you would stay and party instead of coming to a meeting. Let me know how he does.

[Birdman]

Grouseguy where in the h--- have you been, and how did that boy do? Have you seen or heard your birds? Let me know about that boy.

[grouseguy]

Birdman,

Check your email...its been a looong weekend with a loooonger story.

[Birdman]

Grouseguy and GSP how are the birds doing? Mark I couldn't open your e-mail but from what I heard things didn't go very well. Will both of you be at the convention on th 14th and 15th? Hope to see you.

[GSP]

Ronnie, I talked with dad last night. He heard the birds Mon morning. So there are a few still alive. They should start setting this week or next. Hope the roosters start calling their heads off.
I'll be in Cave City this weekend. Looks like we picked up another stragler. Hoping to see Xtreme there for the UBK.

[Birdman]

Grouseguy I was hoping to see you at the convention last weekend things came out good for the home team. Mark I couldn't open your e-mail but got the jest of things any way. I hope things turn out for the boy, let me know if I can be of any help.

[GSP]

Is anyone seeing any young quail?

[Multidigits]

OK, I'll bite....how do you tell how old a quail is when thye bust out at 90 miles an hour????

[GSP]

Well us quail shooters count the tail feathers and see if there is more tham 12, then you know it's an adult.<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>
Sorry Multi, I'm just being a smarta$$.

Quail chicks should be around the size of your thumb now. Just wondering if anyone has seen any. We had some rough weather at the end of May. Hens start nesting about then and into June.



Edited by - gsp on 07/22/2002 10:03:06 PM

[Birdman]

Haven't been out but talked with a man this morning, he saw a grouse and 11 chicks Sat. before last. Have you seen any of your birds?

[GSP]

I've not been out where they're at.
It would be hard to see any there.

[CPA Hunter]

I've seen more this year than last and it is easy to tell the young ones from the adults during June and July. I started flushing small birds in June. I've been seeing one brood that must have at least 10 or 12 and right now they are bigger than a sparrow. Jump them all the time running beagles. I got 3 or 4 coveys on one farm that used to have none 2 years ago. Of course I have not been shooting them so maybe that is why.

[Birdman]

CPA Hunter, would sure like to see you step up and take the rabbit commissionership, and help your fellow rabbit hunters with our new club, the Cyber Hunters.

[Valley Station]

[:I][?]

[Michael]

<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by 2506TEX</i>
<br />there's A man in Ohio county that usually has A lot
of birds for sale. e-mail me and i'll give you his name &
number.

Tex Ball
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">

[Valley Station]

What we are looking for is, <u>somebody who sales mature paired quail </u><u>this time of year</u>. Most will not sale their "breeders", only <u>young birds, which we are not looking for</u>. [:I]