Parker Gun Collectors Association Forums

Quote:

Originally Posted by Garry L Gordon (Post 331043)

I've subscribed to Dale Rollins' monthly emails for some time. Dale is a biologist who has been studying quail for many years. I'm always interested to expand my knowledge of game birds and the environment. The link provided is Dale's monthly communication for this month, and it has some thought provoking information regarding predation. I work hard to keep and open mind and avoid using my personal observations as gospel on complex matters such as bird numbers, knowing that because I see something, does not mean my "personal empiricism" is accurate.

As with some many issues like this, we need more expansive thinking and open minds...but, also, action. None of this is easy.

https://mailchi.mp/cefae1744b33/rpqr...4?e=1c9b542a38

Gary: Dr Rollins has in hand the most on ground data base for quail management of perhaps anyone out there at this point in time. I respect his points. Dr N. Silvy was doing his PhD work at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale under Klemstra as was DR. D. Urban (a good friend, listed in Dr. Silvy's Bib.) while I attended there.

Given all of that.... I am going to side with Rollins. He is an in the field researcher not an in office researcher. Dirty hands and boots on the ground are the way to go.

It should be noted that managing quail in Texas whether it be the rolling Plains of "West Texas" or down in the quail country of the Rio Grande Plain its a different world from the 40+ inch per year stuff in our traditional South.

So, how does this apply to our grouse.... Well one must interpret the data and outcomes. One can say that managing habitat is managing habitat but that is not true. True, each animal needs food water and cover to survive but as we know there must be a relationship between them all and that includes what we call interspersion. Each of us knows from experience what seems to be ideal grouse cover. If the birds are there we are happy campers. If they are not we want to find a reason.

As a quail manager I can believe there is an over population of raptors just as much as there is an over population of coons and possums and skunks now that no one traps them any longer. However, there is still the thought that as stated says better habitat will decrease the impact of those predators. Guthery, Fred PhD (past Chair at Texas A&M Kingsville, Bollenback Chair in Oklahoma) studied the quality of nesting as it relates to number of nes clumps in grass nesting areas and found the more avail clumps to act as "dummy" nest clumps the better the nest survival. This is a small point but an important one.

We need to examine every portion of the needs and wants of our favorite bird whichever it may be and work to see that the management goals and prescriptions of the agency working fit with the most beneficial techniques for our birds for our area.

Just my thoughts.