Conservation Corner: September 25, 2000

Shortcourse Presented Info On Bobwhite Quail
by James L. Cummins

On August 26, Wildlife Mississippi, Mississippi State University, the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks, Quail Unlimited and several other groups sponsored a day-long shortcourse on bobwhite quail.

The shortcourse was designed for landowners, land managers, quail hunters and other individuals interested in bobwhite quail and its management. Below, is some of the information that was discussed at the shortcourse.

Bobwhite quail populations reached peak numbers in the mid to late 1940s in Mississippi and were high through the 1970s. Over the past 30 years bobwhite populations have declined over 70% to historically low levels. This decline is attributed to many causes, including predators, diseases, parasites, pesticides and other factors. However, the most significant cause of population decline is loss of habitat.

To improve habitat, initially, one must evaluate the area for food, nesting cover, brood rearing habitat and escape cover. One must meet the habitat needs of quail during each season. Providing food plots is an excellent way to help quail survive winter; however, this is just one piece of the puzzle. If all pieces are not present, one will not have consistent numbers of quail.

Strip disking provides a means for breaking up large areas into smaller areas, thus creating more edge. These disked strips also serve as fire breaks when prescribed burns are incorporated as well as providing dusting and scratching areas for bobwhites.

Areas can be developed into good quail habitat by leaving undisturbed strips of native vegetation approximately 30 feet wide. Maintenance on these strips would include disking or burning one side of each strip every two years in late winter. Planting strips of lespedeza will also provide an excellent food source during the late winter and a place for chicks to find insects in early summer.

By leaving small strips of unharvested crops such as soybeans, wheat or corn, habitat will also be provided during the winter. Many fields have areas that are not used for crop production. Usually, these spots occur in field corners, around edges and in shaded areas. These spots can provide much of the quail's needs. A good rule of thumb is to keep strips at least 15 feet wide. Plantings in these areas that are good for quail include cow peas, wild reseeding soybean, partridge pea, kobe and shrub lespedeza.

Prescribed burning is an excellent management tool which is under-utilized. Burning stimulates the growth of important food plants and provides insects for broods. These burns should be done in a mosaic pattern and should be mapped out on a rotational basis every two to three years. Brush piles and plantings of shrubs located adjacent to food sources provide excellent escape cover.

James L. Cummins is Executive Director of the Mississippi Fish and Wildlife Foundation in Stoneville, Mississippi. Known as "Wildlife Mississippi," the Foundation is a non-profit, conservation organization founded to conserve, restore and enhance fish, wildlife and plant resources throughout Mississippi.