14th annual Texas Rolling Plains Bobwhite Brigade
By Cadet John C. Zygmontowicz, Alien, Texas Special to Covey Rise
Wednesday, October 18, 2006 11:33 PM CDT
Blue Covey: Back Row n (L-R) Chris Boyle, David Keierleber, John Zygmontowicz Front Row n Beau Brundrett, Andy Hefley, Travis Bell, Keylan Braddy
The Texas Bobwhite Brigade Camp is not your average summer camp. It's not just where you make memories; it is where life changing experiences occur.The 14th Annual Texas Rolling Plains Bobwhite Brigade Camp was hosted by Mr. and Mrs. Roy Wilson in Lueders, Texas at Krooked River Ranch. Dr. Dale Rollins, Professor, Extension Wildlife Specialist, Bobwhite Brigade Coordinator, and also the founder of the Texas Bobwhite Brigade, directed the camp and its activities.
The Brigade camps are five days long, but Dr. Rollins prefers to use hours. The camp is broken down into one hundred hours. Only about sixteen hours were spent sleeping. The curriculum was based on leadership development, team building, quail conservation, habitat management, and then it was broken down into smaller subjects.Team building was encouraged through activities. This taught us to cooperate within our covey and learn the curriculum without conflict. In one exercise, we had to lower a cane pole to the ground with only our fingertips touching it. This was very difficult because we had to be in sink with one another. Each person had their own opinions and suggestions throughout the exercise. Leadership developed through this and other activities. We discovered in our covey each cadet would take different roles.I learned to step up and take a leadership position. In many situations, I played the role of negotiator, but the camp taught me to rise to the occasion and become the leader in certain situations. Leadership and teambuilding are two goals of the Brigade Camp's and are stressed throughout the Brigade curriculum.In order to learn quail conservation you must first understand quail and learning about quail was one of my main reasons for attending the camp. The quail's anatomy and physiology is just the first step to understanding quail; so on the first day of camp we dissected a quail.
Through the process of dissection, we discussed the digestive track, how to identify the different organs plus where the organs are located and the purpose of each organ. Each covey was also given a behavior to act out that quail demonstrates on a daily basis. Our covey was given roosting; which is where the quail turn their tail feathers inward and make a circle so that they are facing outward from each other in an open field. The reason for this behavior is if a predator disturbs them they will flush and not hit each other on flight and this allows their chance of survival to be increased.Throughout camp we had "Quail Trivia" which tested our knowledge on information we learned on a particular day. This enabled us to retain the information we learned during camp. These and other activities were just a few of the ways in which we were taught about quail conservation."Free Bird" by Lynyrd Skynyrd is the Bobwhite Brigade's anthem to quail. The quote, "And this bird you can not change" from the song "Free Bird" relates to quail because you can not change the bird to adapt to the habitat, but you can change the habitat to fit the bird's needs.During the Brigade camp, habitat management covered several subjects such as brush management, plant identification, and how to give a habitat appraisal to a rancher in order for them to better improve their property to attract a better diverse group of wildlife.Brush management is where we change and manipulate a certain area where there is a lot of brush and not enough plant diversity. We learned how to better improve the habitat to better suite a wider group of wildlife.In plant identification we learned different tricks to identify different plants. For instance, prickly ash, also called tooth ache, can be identified by taking a leaf and placing it on your tongue. If your tongue goes numb, this indicates that it is prickly ash. The purpose of plant identification was to see which plants were beneficial to quail and what purpose each plant serves in the quail's habitat. We also learned how to identify seeds and what portion those seeds make up the quail's diet.In order to improve the wildlife diversity of a rancher's property, we learned how to evaluate and appraise the land, water, and soil. To stimulate the animal population, you must have the proper balance of food, water, space, and cover. The amount of plant and insect diversity in a certain area also affects the habitat. In the home range of a quail, there should also be adequate food, water, cover, and space. The home range, a 25 acre area, is where a quail will live for the rest of its life.Where there is a lot of plant and insect diversity there is usually an increase in quail population. The reason this occurs is because the chicks need to eat insects for about 14 days after hatching. Their stomachs have not developed enough to digest plants during this time period. Habitat management was stressed during the camp, because it is crucial to the survival of quail.One of the activities I enjoyed most was Radio telemetry. This is where we tracked quail using a Yagi antenna, FM receiver, and a transmitter. The transmitter is attached to the quail's neck, the quail is then sent into an area for two to four days. After the quail had been in the field for three days, we recovered them by using the Yagi antenna that is connected to the FM receiver. We were told that the receiver would beep twice as fast if the quail was dead.Because the birds that we used were pen-raised, there was a greater possibility of them dying in the field. A pen-raised quail is one that has been raised in a human environment and has lost its wild instincts and are usually 100 grams over weight.When our covey went out to search for our quail we saw a sight that most wildlife managers and biologists only hope to see. We saw a wild hen demonstrating the "brood behavior." The brood behavior is where a hen will act as if she is injured to draw a predator away from her nest or chicks as in our case. The hen was flopping around on the ground and as soon as we saw this we discovered her chicks. There were five chicks in all. We caught them, examined them and returned them back to the nest. We then returned to search for our released quail. We located our quail still alive with the transmitter.After a field exam, we removed the transmitter and returned our quail to the pen. This exercise demonstrated some of the aspects of a quail's home range and the test that the biologist and habitat managers perform.Going to the Brigade Camp was one of the most life changing experiences I have ever had. I would recommend it to anyone who is interested in learning about our Texas wildlife environment, conservation, and habitat management. It also is a great place to learn leadership and team building skills.To apply for one of the Brigade Camps you must be between the ages of 13-17, you must fill out an application and write an essay as to why you would like to attend one of the camps. The tuition cost is $300, but there are available scholarships through different sponsors. You can contact www.texasbrigades.com for further information.Just as the Brigades motto says, "Tell me and I forget. Show me and I remember, involve me and I understand," the Brigades is a place where they involve you and you understand.
Monday, October 23, 2006
Midland high school student starts new QF chapter
News From The Covey RiseFor the Serious Quail Hunter
Midland high school student starts new QF chapter
Wednesday, October 18, 2006 11:33 PM CDT
David Harrison, 18, a senior at Midland's Robert E. Lee High School, has formed the fifth chapter of Quail Forever (QF) in Texas. The new chapter will be called the West Texas Chapter of QF and already includes members from Midland, Howard, Ector, Martin, and Andrews Counties. The other four Texas QF chapters are based in Lubbock, Dallas, Wheeler, and Houston."My father introduced me to quail hunting as a young boy," explained Harrison, who has been elected as the chapter's president. "Back then, my family didn't own dogs. We just walked the pastures and hoped to kick up some birds. Fortunately, living in Texas, there were birds to be found. I know that's not the case across the rest of the country, and there's no guarantee it'll be the case here in Texas if we don't do something to protect our quail habitat. So that's why I got involved with Quail Forever and that's why my dad's also a member."
The U.S. quail populations are in trouble. Bobwhite population losses over the past 25 years range from 60 to 90 percent across the country. The reason for the quail population plunge is simple - massive losses of habitat suitable for quail. There are five major factors leading to the losses of quail habitat; intensified farming and forestry practices, succession of grassland ecosystems to forests, overwhelming presence of exotic grasses like fescue that choke out wildlife, and urban sprawl. On August 10, 2005, Quail Forever was formed to address these quail habitat losses and the subsequent quail population decline.The West Texas QF Chapter's habitat efforts will focus on landowner education and the impact over-grazed pasture lands have on quail and other wildlife. In addition to habitat, Harrison reports that the new chapter will also focus on engaging youth in conservation and the outdoors."I love my dogs and they have really got me hooked on quail hunting at a young age. But beyond dogs, I had adults that took me outside and exposed me to quail hunting. My dad, of course did, but I also look at Dr. Dale Rollins as a big influence on my passion for bird dogs and quail conservation. He's become a great friend and a person I respect through his involvement with the Texas Brigades," said Harrison. "Our chapter will certainly focus on quail habitat issues in West Texas, but getting West Texas kids into the outdoors is also a primary goal of our chapter."Harrison is a former cadet of the Texas Brigades and is currently a dog training instructor in the program. He is also involved with the Texas Wild Intensive Leadership Development Program. He participates in competitive dog trialing and is the proud owner of two English pointers and two Brittanys. He hopes to be a pre-veterinary student at West Texas A&M at this time next fall.
Joining Harrison as a chapter leader is Carles Gibson of Midland as treasurer. The new West Texas Chapter of QF plans to hold their next meeting on Thursday, October 19th. The public and media are invited to attend. For more information about the chapter or meeting, please contact Harrison at (432)978-6075 or via email at dpharrison07@cox.net. To learn more about starting a QF chapter in Texas, contact Sara Bales Lyda at (405)612-6889 or via email at sbales@quailforever.org.QF applies the successful Pheasants Forever (PF) model of empowering local chapters with the responsibility to determine how 100 percent of their locally raised conservation funds will be spent. QF and PF are the only national conservation organizations that operate through this truly grassroots structure. This local control allows members to see the fruits of their efforts in their own communities, while belonging to a national organization with a voice on federal conservation policy in Washington D.C. In the organization's first year, 69 QF chapters have formed in 23 different states.Quail Forever charged about new credit card program with U.S. BankQuail Forever (QF) has announced a new affinity credit card partnership with U.S. Bank. Through the partnership, U.S. Bank will be making a donation to QF each time a new card is activated, and again each and every time that card is used. This builds upon the successful partnership between Pheasants Forever (PF) and U.S. Bank created in 2004."U.S. Bank has been an outstanding Pheasants Forever partner. The financial support generated through our credit card program allows us to put thousands of acres of wildlife habitat in the ground each year. We are eager to generate similar funds for our quail habitat efforts through this new Quail Forever credit card program," reported Howard Vincent, PF/QF's president and CEO. To date, the Pheasants Forever credit card program has generated over $200,000 for PF's habitat conservation and youth education effortsU.S. Bank will be offering QF members and quail enthusiasts a variety of new credit card products. One of these new products will be a credit card that earns reward points, which can be redeemed for gift certificates, merchandise, cash, and travel rewards. Another card will offer a cash-back option. To sign up for your new Quail Forever Visa card today, go to https://appcenter.usbank.com/customizedPricing/home.do?locationId=9581, www.quailforever.org or call toll free (866)457-8245 and request an application."Our partnership with Quail Forever will extend the great relationship we already have with this great partner and offer quail enthusiasts an easy way to generate the financial assistance that is critical to the preservation of quail habitat," said Lynn Heitman, senior vice president of retail payments at U.S. Bank."There is no doubt that our partnership with U.S. Bank has improved our ability to deliver pheasant habitat across the pheasant range. This new Quail Forever program will also improve our ability to deliver our quail habitat and youth education missions as well," added Vincent. "U.S. Bank believes in our mission, our localized model, and they have again stepped up in a big way to support us. In return, I ask all Quail Forever members and quail hunters across the country to consider U.S. Bank's new line of Quail Forever credit cards as their new card option - quail and quail hunters will benefit."Missouri adds Quail Forever chapters in Texas and Macon CountiesQuail enthusiasts from Texas and Macon Counties have formed two new Missouri chapters of Quail Forever (QF). The Piney River Covey Chapter of QF will be based in Texas County, while the Busted Covey Chapter of QF will be homed in Macon County. Both groups are blessed with chapter volunteers that also work as biologists for the Missouri Department of Conservation.Those Department employees include; Lesly Holt, a private lands biologist in Licking; Ted Seiler, a private lands biologist in Macon; and Jamie Barton, the biologist in charge of the Atlanta Wildlife Management Area. In March, Doug Rainey, a retired private lands biologist with the Department, was also elected as the Knox County Chapter's habitat chairman."I am absolutely thrilled to have some of my old colleagues with the Missouri Department of Conservation joining Quail Forever as I start my new role with Quail Forever in Missouri," reported Elsa Gallagher, QF's regional wildlife biologist for Missouri. Gallagher spent the last six years with the Missouri Department of Conservation. Most recently, Gallagher served as the Department's upland wildlife coordinator and quail program leader."There is a lot of habitat work ahead. But, I know the Department and its staff of quail biologists are committed to bringing back Missouri's bobwhite quail numbers," added Gallagher. Like the rest of the bobwhite quail range, Missouri's quail population has plummeted in the last 4 decades.“That population drop is evident in the quail hunting harvest. In 1969, Missouri hunters bagged over 3.9 million bobwhites. The harvest was cut in half by 1987 when 1.9 million birds were taken. In 1996, the harvest fell under a million and it dropped to under half a million in 2000. State biologist Tom Dailey reports that 2005's harvest was "well under half a million birds." Dailey points to exotic fescue grass across the state as the single biggest culprit to the decades long quail decline in Missouri.Piney River Covey Chapter of QFThe Piney River Covey Chapter leaders include Bill Yoder of Licking as president, Leann Green of Licking as treasurer, Cody Nickels of Raymondville as secretary, and Lesley Holt of Licking as president elect. According to QF biologist Elsa Gallagher, chapter leaders are focused on promoting youth conservation education and improving quail habitat through conversion of monoculture grasses to a better mix of native grass species."I grew up on a farm in west central Missouri at a time when quail were abundant and have been dismayed by the decline in their population in the state for a number of years. I feel the interest and enthusiasm expressed by the attendees at the Piney River Covey Chapter's organizational meeting bodes well not only for the bobwhite in this area but for future generations of hunters as well," reported Yoder.The Piney River Covey Chapter's next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, October 19th at USDA Service Center located on Highway 63 South, Houston, Missouri. The meeting will begin at 7PM.For more information about the new chapter, please contact Yoder at (573)674-2288 or via email at yoderw@train.missouri.org.Busted Covey Chapter of Quail ForeverThe new Busted Covey Chapter is led by Gerald Mohn of Atlanta as president, Sandy Timpe of Macon as treasurer, Ted Seiler of Macon as habitat chair, Danny Miller of Macon as youth/education chair, and Jamie Barton of Macon as secretary.The group plans to focus their efforts on engaging Macon County youth in the outdoors through conservation education and youth mentor quail hunts."My dad got a bird dog when I was about 12 years old and I've been hooked on quail hunting ever since. Recently, I retired, so I am in a good situation to both pass along our quail hunting heritage to the next generation and help improve the habitat for the birds in Macon County," explained Mohn.The new Busted Covey Chapter of QF plans to hold their future meetings will be held on the second Tuesday of each month at the Gary Room of Samaritan Hospital in Macon at 7PM.Mohn also reports that the chapter's first event will be a "fun" dog trial to be held on Saturday, October 21st. For more information about the new Busted Covey Chapter or dog trial event, please contact Mohn at (660)239-4989 or via email at mohn@cvalley.net.Looking for more conservation leadersIt's time for all of us to stand up and be leaders in conservation. Quail Forever is looking for people interested in making a difference for quail in their local community.If you are interested in learning more about starting a QF chapter in Missouri, or helping your local chapter, please contact QF regional wildlife biologist Elsa Gallagher at (573)680-7115 or via email at egallagher@quailforever.org.Alabama's Price brings quail expertise to national boardQuail Forever (QF) announced that Kim N. Price, 52, of Alexander City, AL has been elected to the Pheasants Forever (PF) National Board of Directors. Price is the publisher and editor of Covey Rise, a monthly magazine devoted to quail. He is also the chairman of the Alabama Quail Council. Price becomes the first member of the PF Board to hail from a state not within the U.S. pheasant range."Kim will provide expert insight, leadership, and passion for our quail efforts at the National Board level.We believe it is very important to have voices from the heart of quail country on the board, and today our 69 Quail Forever chapters gained a champion and a powerful leader for the future of Quail Forever, Pheasants Forever, and wildlife habitat conservation," reported PF & QF's Chairman of the Board Charlie McLravy.On August 10, 2005, Quail Forever was formed by PF to address the massive losses of quail habitat and the subsequent quail population decline.Bobwhite population losses over the past 25 years range from 60 to 90 percent across the country. The reason for the quail population plunge is simple - massive losses of habitat suitable for quail.Since QF's inception thirteen months ago, 69 Quail Forever chapters have formed in 23 different states."I'm honored to join the Quail Forever and Pheasants Forever team to help the bobwhite. It is a passion that I take seriously. Getting on-the-ground habitat dollars in place is why Pheasants Forever has been so successful, and that is why Quail Forever is growing so rapidly. No other conservation organization has such a model to follow, and having 69 chapters in 23 different states is an unbelievable start for an organization barely a year old," explained Price. "Throughout the range of the bobwhite, Quail Forever will provide a blueprint for locally-empowered chapters to help restore bobwhite populations through local habitat efforts."Price and his brother Tim began publishing Covey Rise in 2002. They grew up quail hunting with their father when the bobwhite was the undisputed king of game birds. They began Covey Rise to help stop the bobwhite's decline and to help landowners create habitat to restore populations.Today, Covey Rise serves 46 states and more than 10,000 readers dedicated to the restoration of bobwhite quail populations."Bobwhite restoration is not going to be resolved overnight. But the momentum is there. Armed with the Northern Bobwhite Conservation Initiative and a successful Pheasants Forever model, these local Quail Forever chapters can help establish suitable quail habitat and expand hunting opportunities for thousands of quail hunters," added Price. "Quail numbers have declined because of lost habitat. So have the number of quail hunters. Quail Forever chapters provide an arena for these hunters to re-enter the game. Their efforts are necessary, particularly in the Deep South, if the restoration work for bobwhites is to be successful.“I am looking forward to helping establish these new chapters throughout the Deep South, because there is so much opportunity here and it is the place I learned to love quail hunting."Randolph County, IL is home to newest chapter of QF Quail enthusiasts from Randolph County, Illinois have formed the 10th chapter of Quail Forever (QF) in the state. The group plans to focus their efforts on quail habitat restoration and youth conservation education. The group has set Tuesday, October 24th for their next meeting."I grew up on a farm in Washington County, Illinois and can remember our fields filled with bobwhite quail coveys," said Dusty Kolweier, a Red Bud resident and one of the chapter's leaders."Today, there just aren't the quail populations in southern Illinois there once was. Our chapter hopes to turn things around for quail in Randolph County."The U.S.'s quail populations are in trouble. Bobwhite population losses over the past 25 years range from 60 to 90 percent across the country.Illinois has not been immune to the quail decline having watched their annual quail hunting harvest fall from 2.5 million bobs in 1956 to just over 250,000 birds in 2005. The reason for the quail population plunge is simple - massive losses of habitat suitable for quail.There are five major factors leading to the losses of quail habitat; intensified farming and forestry practices, succession of grassland ecosystems to forests, overwhelming presence of exotic grasses like fescue that choke out wildlife, and urban sprawl."I love to quail hunt and I love the outdoors, but starting this chapter isn't about a bunch of guys with their bird dogs and shotguns. All of us care about quail, the future of quail hunting as a family tradition, and we are starting this chapter to contribute to our community and the standard of living we all enjoy here in Randolph County," explained Kolweier.According to Tim Caughran, QF's regional wildlife biologist for Illinois, "undisturbed nesting cover is the biggest habitat issue for quail in Illinois. Along those lines, the conversion of fescue grasses to native species will be a major focus for the chapter."The chapter's habitat efforts will also include landowner conservation forums to promote enrollment in local, state, and federal conservation programs.Specifically, chapter leaders point toward the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) and a variety of practices available through CRP for improving area agriculture lands for wildlife, while helping stabilize production operations.The chapter's youth efforts will focus on youth mentor hunts and youth conservation education activities.The next meeting for the new chapter will be held on Tuesday, October 24th at 7PM. The meeting will be held at the VFW in Red Bud. The public and media are encouraged to attend. For more information about the meeting and the new chapter, please contact Dusty Kolweier at (618)282-3055 or via email at dkoweier@yahoo.com.To learn more about starting a Quail Forever chapter in Illinois, contact Tim Caughran at (618)467-2586 or via email at tcaughran@quailforever.org.Kolweier added that attendees to the next meeting will be picking an official name for the new chapter. He encourages Randolph County residents to attend and participate in the new organization's efforts.
Midland high school student starts new QF chapter
Wednesday, October 18, 2006 11:33 PM CDT
David Harrison, 18, a senior at Midland's Robert E. Lee High School, has formed the fifth chapter of Quail Forever (QF) in Texas. The new chapter will be called the West Texas Chapter of QF and already includes members from Midland, Howard, Ector, Martin, and Andrews Counties. The other four Texas QF chapters are based in Lubbock, Dallas, Wheeler, and Houston."My father introduced me to quail hunting as a young boy," explained Harrison, who has been elected as the chapter's president. "Back then, my family didn't own dogs. We just walked the pastures and hoped to kick up some birds. Fortunately, living in Texas, there were birds to be found. I know that's not the case across the rest of the country, and there's no guarantee it'll be the case here in Texas if we don't do something to protect our quail habitat. So that's why I got involved with Quail Forever and that's why my dad's also a member."
The U.S. quail populations are in trouble. Bobwhite population losses over the past 25 years range from 60 to 90 percent across the country. The reason for the quail population plunge is simple - massive losses of habitat suitable for quail. There are five major factors leading to the losses of quail habitat; intensified farming and forestry practices, succession of grassland ecosystems to forests, overwhelming presence of exotic grasses like fescue that choke out wildlife, and urban sprawl. On August 10, 2005, Quail Forever was formed to address these quail habitat losses and the subsequent quail population decline.The West Texas QF Chapter's habitat efforts will focus on landowner education and the impact over-grazed pasture lands have on quail and other wildlife. In addition to habitat, Harrison reports that the new chapter will also focus on engaging youth in conservation and the outdoors."I love my dogs and they have really got me hooked on quail hunting at a young age. But beyond dogs, I had adults that took me outside and exposed me to quail hunting. My dad, of course did, but I also look at Dr. Dale Rollins as a big influence on my passion for bird dogs and quail conservation. He's become a great friend and a person I respect through his involvement with the Texas Brigades," said Harrison. "Our chapter will certainly focus on quail habitat issues in West Texas, but getting West Texas kids into the outdoors is also a primary goal of our chapter."Harrison is a former cadet of the Texas Brigades and is currently a dog training instructor in the program. He is also involved with the Texas Wild Intensive Leadership Development Program. He participates in competitive dog trialing and is the proud owner of two English pointers and two Brittanys. He hopes to be a pre-veterinary student at West Texas A&M at this time next fall.
Joining Harrison as a chapter leader is Carles Gibson of Midland as treasurer. The new West Texas Chapter of QF plans to hold their next meeting on Thursday, October 19th. The public and media are invited to attend. For more information about the chapter or meeting, please contact Harrison at (432)978-6075 or via email at dpharrison07@cox.net. To learn more about starting a QF chapter in Texas, contact Sara Bales Lyda at (405)612-6889 or via email at sbales@quailforever.org.QF applies the successful Pheasants Forever (PF) model of empowering local chapters with the responsibility to determine how 100 percent of their locally raised conservation funds will be spent. QF and PF are the only national conservation organizations that operate through this truly grassroots structure. This local control allows members to see the fruits of their efforts in their own communities, while belonging to a national organization with a voice on federal conservation policy in Washington D.C. In the organization's first year, 69 QF chapters have formed in 23 different states.Quail Forever charged about new credit card program with U.S. BankQuail Forever (QF) has announced a new affinity credit card partnership with U.S. Bank. Through the partnership, U.S. Bank will be making a donation to QF each time a new card is activated, and again each and every time that card is used. This builds upon the successful partnership between Pheasants Forever (PF) and U.S. Bank created in 2004."U.S. Bank has been an outstanding Pheasants Forever partner. The financial support generated through our credit card program allows us to put thousands of acres of wildlife habitat in the ground each year. We are eager to generate similar funds for our quail habitat efforts through this new Quail Forever credit card program," reported Howard Vincent, PF/QF's president and CEO. To date, the Pheasants Forever credit card program has generated over $200,000 for PF's habitat conservation and youth education effortsU.S. Bank will be offering QF members and quail enthusiasts a variety of new credit card products. One of these new products will be a credit card that earns reward points, which can be redeemed for gift certificates, merchandise, cash, and travel rewards. Another card will offer a cash-back option. To sign up for your new Quail Forever Visa card today, go to https://appcenter.usbank.com/customizedPricing/home.do?locationId=9581, www.quailforever.org or call toll free (866)457-8245 and request an application."Our partnership with Quail Forever will extend the great relationship we already have with this great partner and offer quail enthusiasts an easy way to generate the financial assistance that is critical to the preservation of quail habitat," said Lynn Heitman, senior vice president of retail payments at U.S. Bank."There is no doubt that our partnership with U.S. Bank has improved our ability to deliver pheasant habitat across the pheasant range. This new Quail Forever program will also improve our ability to deliver our quail habitat and youth education missions as well," added Vincent. "U.S. Bank believes in our mission, our localized model, and they have again stepped up in a big way to support us. In return, I ask all Quail Forever members and quail hunters across the country to consider U.S. Bank's new line of Quail Forever credit cards as their new card option - quail and quail hunters will benefit."Missouri adds Quail Forever chapters in Texas and Macon CountiesQuail enthusiasts from Texas and Macon Counties have formed two new Missouri chapters of Quail Forever (QF). The Piney River Covey Chapter of QF will be based in Texas County, while the Busted Covey Chapter of QF will be homed in Macon County. Both groups are blessed with chapter volunteers that also work as biologists for the Missouri Department of Conservation.Those Department employees include; Lesly Holt, a private lands biologist in Licking; Ted Seiler, a private lands biologist in Macon; and Jamie Barton, the biologist in charge of the Atlanta Wildlife Management Area. In March, Doug Rainey, a retired private lands biologist with the Department, was also elected as the Knox County Chapter's habitat chairman."I am absolutely thrilled to have some of my old colleagues with the Missouri Department of Conservation joining Quail Forever as I start my new role with Quail Forever in Missouri," reported Elsa Gallagher, QF's regional wildlife biologist for Missouri. Gallagher spent the last six years with the Missouri Department of Conservation. Most recently, Gallagher served as the Department's upland wildlife coordinator and quail program leader."There is a lot of habitat work ahead. But, I know the Department and its staff of quail biologists are committed to bringing back Missouri's bobwhite quail numbers," added Gallagher. Like the rest of the bobwhite quail range, Missouri's quail population has plummeted in the last 4 decades.“That population drop is evident in the quail hunting harvest. In 1969, Missouri hunters bagged over 3.9 million bobwhites. The harvest was cut in half by 1987 when 1.9 million birds were taken. In 1996, the harvest fell under a million and it dropped to under half a million in 2000. State biologist Tom Dailey reports that 2005's harvest was "well under half a million birds." Dailey points to exotic fescue grass across the state as the single biggest culprit to the decades long quail decline in Missouri.Piney River Covey Chapter of QFThe Piney River Covey Chapter leaders include Bill Yoder of Licking as president, Leann Green of Licking as treasurer, Cody Nickels of Raymondville as secretary, and Lesley Holt of Licking as president elect. According to QF biologist Elsa Gallagher, chapter leaders are focused on promoting youth conservation education and improving quail habitat through conversion of monoculture grasses to a better mix of native grass species."I grew up on a farm in west central Missouri at a time when quail were abundant and have been dismayed by the decline in their population in the state for a number of years. I feel the interest and enthusiasm expressed by the attendees at the Piney River Covey Chapter's organizational meeting bodes well not only for the bobwhite in this area but for future generations of hunters as well," reported Yoder.The Piney River Covey Chapter's next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, October 19th at USDA Service Center located on Highway 63 South, Houston, Missouri. The meeting will begin at 7PM.For more information about the new chapter, please contact Yoder at (573)674-2288 or via email at yoderw@train.missouri.org.Busted Covey Chapter of Quail ForeverThe new Busted Covey Chapter is led by Gerald Mohn of Atlanta as president, Sandy Timpe of Macon as treasurer, Ted Seiler of Macon as habitat chair, Danny Miller of Macon as youth/education chair, and Jamie Barton of Macon as secretary.The group plans to focus their efforts on engaging Macon County youth in the outdoors through conservation education and youth mentor quail hunts."My dad got a bird dog when I was about 12 years old and I've been hooked on quail hunting ever since. Recently, I retired, so I am in a good situation to both pass along our quail hunting heritage to the next generation and help improve the habitat for the birds in Macon County," explained Mohn.The new Busted Covey Chapter of QF plans to hold their future meetings will be held on the second Tuesday of each month at the Gary Room of Samaritan Hospital in Macon at 7PM.Mohn also reports that the chapter's first event will be a "fun" dog trial to be held on Saturday, October 21st. For more information about the new Busted Covey Chapter or dog trial event, please contact Mohn at (660)239-4989 or via email at mohn@cvalley.net.Looking for more conservation leadersIt's time for all of us to stand up and be leaders in conservation. Quail Forever is looking for people interested in making a difference for quail in their local community.If you are interested in learning more about starting a QF chapter in Missouri, or helping your local chapter, please contact QF regional wildlife biologist Elsa Gallagher at (573)680-7115 or via email at egallagher@quailforever.org.Alabama's Price brings quail expertise to national boardQuail Forever (QF) announced that Kim N. Price, 52, of Alexander City, AL has been elected to the Pheasants Forever (PF) National Board of Directors. Price is the publisher and editor of Covey Rise, a monthly magazine devoted to quail. He is also the chairman of the Alabama Quail Council. Price becomes the first member of the PF Board to hail from a state not within the U.S. pheasant range."Kim will provide expert insight, leadership, and passion for our quail efforts at the National Board level.We believe it is very important to have voices from the heart of quail country on the board, and today our 69 Quail Forever chapters gained a champion and a powerful leader for the future of Quail Forever, Pheasants Forever, and wildlife habitat conservation," reported PF & QF's Chairman of the Board Charlie McLravy.On August 10, 2005, Quail Forever was formed by PF to address the massive losses of quail habitat and the subsequent quail population decline.Bobwhite population losses over the past 25 years range from 60 to 90 percent across the country. The reason for the quail population plunge is simple - massive losses of habitat suitable for quail.Since QF's inception thirteen months ago, 69 Quail Forever chapters have formed in 23 different states."I'm honored to join the Quail Forever and Pheasants Forever team to help the bobwhite. It is a passion that I take seriously. Getting on-the-ground habitat dollars in place is why Pheasants Forever has been so successful, and that is why Quail Forever is growing so rapidly. No other conservation organization has such a model to follow, and having 69 chapters in 23 different states is an unbelievable start for an organization barely a year old," explained Price. "Throughout the range of the bobwhite, Quail Forever will provide a blueprint for locally-empowered chapters to help restore bobwhite populations through local habitat efforts."Price and his brother Tim began publishing Covey Rise in 2002. They grew up quail hunting with their father when the bobwhite was the undisputed king of game birds. They began Covey Rise to help stop the bobwhite's decline and to help landowners create habitat to restore populations.Today, Covey Rise serves 46 states and more than 10,000 readers dedicated to the restoration of bobwhite quail populations."Bobwhite restoration is not going to be resolved overnight. But the momentum is there. Armed with the Northern Bobwhite Conservation Initiative and a successful Pheasants Forever model, these local Quail Forever chapters can help establish suitable quail habitat and expand hunting opportunities for thousands of quail hunters," added Price. "Quail numbers have declined because of lost habitat. So have the number of quail hunters. Quail Forever chapters provide an arena for these hunters to re-enter the game. Their efforts are necessary, particularly in the Deep South, if the restoration work for bobwhites is to be successful.“I am looking forward to helping establish these new chapters throughout the Deep South, because there is so much opportunity here and it is the place I learned to love quail hunting."Randolph County, IL is home to newest chapter of QF Quail enthusiasts from Randolph County, Illinois have formed the 10th chapter of Quail Forever (QF) in the state. The group plans to focus their efforts on quail habitat restoration and youth conservation education. The group has set Tuesday, October 24th for their next meeting."I grew up on a farm in Washington County, Illinois and can remember our fields filled with bobwhite quail coveys," said Dusty Kolweier, a Red Bud resident and one of the chapter's leaders."Today, there just aren't the quail populations in southern Illinois there once was. Our chapter hopes to turn things around for quail in Randolph County."The U.S.'s quail populations are in trouble. Bobwhite population losses over the past 25 years range from 60 to 90 percent across the country.Illinois has not been immune to the quail decline having watched their annual quail hunting harvest fall from 2.5 million bobs in 1956 to just over 250,000 birds in 2005. The reason for the quail population plunge is simple - massive losses of habitat suitable for quail.There are five major factors leading to the losses of quail habitat; intensified farming and forestry practices, succession of grassland ecosystems to forests, overwhelming presence of exotic grasses like fescue that choke out wildlife, and urban sprawl."I love to quail hunt and I love the outdoors, but starting this chapter isn't about a bunch of guys with their bird dogs and shotguns. All of us care about quail, the future of quail hunting as a family tradition, and we are starting this chapter to contribute to our community and the standard of living we all enjoy here in Randolph County," explained Kolweier.According to Tim Caughran, QF's regional wildlife biologist for Illinois, "undisturbed nesting cover is the biggest habitat issue for quail in Illinois. Along those lines, the conversion of fescue grasses to native species will be a major focus for the chapter."The chapter's habitat efforts will also include landowner conservation forums to promote enrollment in local, state, and federal conservation programs.Specifically, chapter leaders point toward the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) and a variety of practices available through CRP for improving area agriculture lands for wildlife, while helping stabilize production operations.The chapter's youth efforts will focus on youth mentor hunts and youth conservation education activities.The next meeting for the new chapter will be held on Tuesday, October 24th at 7PM. The meeting will be held at the VFW in Red Bud. The public and media are encouraged to attend. For more information about the meeting and the new chapter, please contact Dusty Kolweier at (618)282-3055 or via email at dkoweier@yahoo.com.To learn more about starting a Quail Forever chapter in Illinois, contact Tim Caughran at (618)467-2586 or via email at tcaughran@quailforever.org.Kolweier added that attendees to the next meeting will be picking an official name for the new chapter. He encourages Randolph County residents to attend and participate in the new organization's efforts.
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