CONSERVATION CORNER
April 24, 2006
New Quail Management Brochure Available
by James L. Cummins

Numbers of bobwhite quail, an important species to hunters in the Mississippi and the Southeast have declined dramatically over the last 25 years. Their habitats are disappearing due to urbanization, increased grassland cultivation and a transitioning of once grassy fields into woods and forests.

A new brochure, titled "Restoring Bobwhite Quail Habitat," has been published by Mississippi State University's Forest and Wildlife Research Center, Wildlife Mississippi, the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Delta Wildlife Incorporated, the Farm Service Agency and the Natural Resources Conservation Service.

Last year, President George Bush made available an additional 250,000 acres of lands in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). "Grasslands are the home of several species of birds, including the Northern bobwhite quail," explained President Bush. "By expanding this program, our goal is to increase the quail population by about 750,000 birds a year," continued the President.

This program created by President Bush is a major component of the Bobwhite Quail Conservation Initiative. Wildlife Mississippi worked with U.S. Senator Thad Cochran and the Natural Resources Conservation Service to establish the initiative.

According to U.S. Senator Thad Cochran, "Bobwhite quail populations have been significantly declining over the past three decades. I am pleased that the Senate Appropriations Committee has included language, at my request, to establish the Bobwhite Quail Conservation Initiative. I hope this program will help restore quail populations to historic levels."

The U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates this nesting and brood rearing cover will increase bobwhite quail numbers by 750,000 birds annually. In addition, the initiative will reduce soil erosion and protect water quality by trapping field sediments and nutrients.

This initiative provides technical assistance and cost-share to enhance habitat on private lands. It is primarily directed at providing nesting and brood rearing habitats. Technical assistance on bobwhite habitat management will be provided. Landowners may receive assistance for establishing and maintaining specific types of early successional habitats through existing conservation programs. Practices that contribute to the enhancement of quail habitat would be incorporated into existing conservation programs. There will be a research project to monitor and establish success.

Bush's CRP emphasis will provide $125 million in payments to private landowners. Sign-up will run until the total acreage has been enrolled or until December 31, 2007, whichever comes first.

For a free copy of the brochure titled Restoring Bobwhite Quail Habitat, send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to Wildlife Mississippi, P.O. Box 10, Stoneville, MS 38776.