—QUAIL HABITAT IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMS
National Seed Program
The National Seed Program is the single largest activity performed by QU chapters.
Each year, several national seed companies donate surplus seed to Quail Unlimited. The seed,
consisting primarily of grains used to develop winter feeding and cover sites, is then distributed
to chapters for use in their food and cover planting projects.
Other Seed Purchases
In order to provide a greater diversity of planting materials for sportsmen and
landowners, many chapters acquired additional types of seed. These seeds are used to develop
quail nesting, feeding, brood-rearing and loafing sites. Examples: native grass, Korean
lespedeza, bi-color lespedeza, partridge pea, Egyptian wheat, native legumes, timothy or clover.
Standing Crop Purchases
Some chapters encourage farmers to leave grain staning in strips at the edge of the
field as winter wildlife food by remibursing the landowner for the crop.
Chapter Planting Activities
Chapter projects involve members in on-the-ground field work on either public or private lands.
Tree and Shrub Purchases
Deciduous trees and shrubs are used to develop winter cover, loafing sites, travel
lanes and predator protection for quail through shelterbelt plainting.
Controlled Burning
Fire is one of the most important tools employed by the quail manager. QU chapters
offer assistance and funding in performing many controller burns each year as part of their habitat improvement projects.
Water Site Development
Throughout the western quail range, providing water sites in the arid and semi-arid
habitats is the single most important activity performed by Quail Unlimited chapters. Many
biologists and chapter members have found that if a dependalbe water source is provided, the
quail will thrive in an area where they formerly could only exist marginally.
Much of the water site work is performed by the US Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management
lands under the challenge cost-share agreements.
Equipment Purchase, Rental and Maintenance
Providing equipment for conservation plantings and habitat
management have proven to be a major QU activity. Burning equipment, including sprayers, mist and
air blowers, drip torches and fire flappers, is the most common type of item followed by various
types of grain and native grasses drills.
Root plows are commonly purchased by QU chapters, as
they have been for many years. This tool is used to cut tree roots and sap soil moisture from
adjoining field crops. The use of the tools helps farmers product better crops next to tree
rows and thereby reduce the incentive some farmers might have to remove existing tree rows and
shelterbelts. Other equipment includes such items as discs, rotovators, water pumps, water site
equipment, fabric mulch laying machines, cement mixers and all-terrain vehicles.
Landowner Contacts
Direct Contacts are made between landowners/farmers at events such as landowner appreciation
nights and attendance
at farm equipment shows. These contacts are used to inform landowners of wildlife conservation
assistance available to them through their local QU chapter or state and federal agency programs.
QU chapters also put on conservation field days to demonstrate conservation practices and
conservation workshops during which participants are introduced to game bird management relevant
to their area.
Most chapters perform a variety of other information and education activities
to spread the conservation message. These include setting up booths at fairs, outdoor shows
and gun and knife shows; publishing chapter newsletters; news releases and newpaper articles
about chapter activities and projects; acquiring and showing conservation videos; and providing
a variety of publication on game bird management and conservation.
Other Conservation Activities
A wide variety of other conservation activities are funded by QU chapters, the largest
of which is providing contract labor to perform various habitat plantings and field work.
Included in this group are such things as tractor fuel, fertilizer, quail whistle and brood counts,
demonstration projects and let us not forget all those endless volunteered man-hours.
—QU YOUTH PROGRAMS
QU's new project to educate the bird hunters of tommorrow.
Bobwhite Brigade
Started in Texas, a few years ago, by Dr. Dale Rollins, this program is starting to spread
nationally. This rigorous camp teaches youth about leadership, quail, habitat and more.
For more information on this program contact D. Rollins.
COVEY Kids
A week long camp for younsters age 10 - 15. The camps exposes our future sportsmen to a
variety of outdoor activities including hunter education, sportsmanship, wildlife habitat
evaluation, conservation and ecology. A professional instructor and coordinator will be in charge
of each camp with additional volunteer instructors from state and federal wildlife agencies,
local QU chapters, universities, etc. The camps will be held at preserves which can provide
room and board for the campers and instructors along with facilities for hiking, shooting activities,
simulated hunting experiences and other outdoor activities.
Youth Hunter Education
Quail Unlimited believes that all future sportsmen should be trained through a certifed
hunter education course. Therefore QU, in conjunction with the Hunter Education Association
(HEA), will sponsor hunter education courses enabling all youth members to become certified
by HEA, a goal QU is committed to.
Those interested in obtaining more detailed information
on the new youth program or becoming involved, please contact:
QU National Headquarters
P. O. Box 610
Edgefield, SC 29824
(803) 637-5731