Wild Quail !

[FLDBRED-BDC]

Some more good news on the Quail Project!

http://www.njaudubon.org/SectionConservation/StewardshipProgam/StewardshipBlog/tabid/2006/entryid/376/Wild-Northern-Bobwhite-Released-for-4th-Consecutive-Year-in-NJ-Pinelands.aspx

[Rusty]

That's cool to see.  

[hemlock]

Interesting read.  Very cool.  

[Bonefreak]

Nice effort but predator control is needed with this initiative. 

[Bones]

Only 80 released, Dog owners release more then that training their dogs in the off season.

 

 

[Batsto]

I hear the project is slowly working in the Chatsworth area. There a few wild coveys back in the pines. It will take a lot of predator control and less herbicides for those bobwhites to come back. 

[Lunatic]

7 hours ago, Bones said:

Only 80 released, Dog owners release more then that training their dogs in the off season.

 

 

Yes but dog owners release farm raised birds. these appear to be wild with a better chance of survival

[Swampy]

A Waste I think ...cart before horse 

focus on habitat restoration first. I mean REALLY FOCUS on than ...Treating for invasive plants. Proper controlled burning to restore and increase native under growth. Restablishing native food sources along with cultivating self sustaining new ones.....plus a healthy predator control strategy. Once you have established that for 5+ years and have an effective and proven management strategy in place for the continuation of procured habit, then begin a reintroduction program.  They cannot hope sustain on loblolly pine seeds and a minimal about of suitable habit alone. 

 

They should also be worried about southern states as well. I believe  A steady decline of about 3% anually for the last 40 years. 

 

 

[Silver Belly62]

Use to come across a lot of quail in certain areas when running hounds, but haven't seen any for many years. However the past 3-5 years I've seen a increase in woodcock 

Edited April 2, 2018 by Silver Belly62

[Batsto]

1 hour ago, Silver Belly62 said:

Use to come across a lot of quail in certain areas when running hounds, but haven't seen any for many years. However the past 3-5 years I've seen a increase in woodcock 

There used to be a tremendous amount quail back in the 60s and 70s back in the pines and blueberry fields. I used to take my trusty single shoot Topper 410 and rack up a few along the sand trails and blueberry rows. The farms used to have grass and multiple cover weeds for the coveys to run and hide.  Clean farming with weed killer destroyed prime habitat. Back in the day, you could hunt quail in our area without a pup. 

[Stewey]

Used to see alot of quail when I was younger don't see any now. Think they are fighting an uphill battle 

[FLDBRED-BDC]

2 hours ago, Swampy said:

A Waste I think ...cart before horse 

focus on habitat restoration first. I mean REALLY FOCUS on than ...Treating for invasive plants. Proper controlled burning to restore and increase native under growth. Restablishing native food sources along with cultivating self sustaining new ones.....plus a healthy predator control strategy. Once you have established that for 5+ years and have an effective and proven management strategy in place for the continuation of procured habit, then begin a reintroduction program.  They cannot hope sustain on loblolly pine seeds and a minimal about of suitable habit alone. 

 

They should also be worried about southern states as well. I believe  A steady decline of about 3% anually for the last 40 years. 

The Habitat in the release area has been extensively developed for years. The missing ingredient was using WILD birds instead of pen raised birds.

 

 

 

[Mink]

I've been following this for a few years now and it seems like they are happy with the results. Would love to see something with wild pheasants! 

[stratocaster]

On 4/1/2018 at 10:12 PM, Bones said:

Only 80 released, Dog owners release more then that training their dogs in the off season.

 

 

Dog owners release wild quail?  

[Bones]

Maybe not wild 

but they’re not handled by people like pets and way more then 80