Bobwhite Reintroduction!

[William Woods]

The mid-seventies winters, advances (?) in farming practices, machinery, chemicals, decline (if not outright ending) of trapping, have all contributed to all but elimination of a huntable population of quail in my area.

Years ago, I was told by DNR officials in both Kentucky and Indiana that the introduction of pen reared quail was a failure everywhere it had been tried.

Another theory was that the introduction of pen reared quail were carriers of disease that contributed to the demise of wild quail wherever the pen raised were released, either by well-meaning individuals or people working their dogs on the released birds.

[Harold Pickens]

I read a report that wild fur demand is going to be a big increase next year. I have caught/disposed 10 raccoons at my house since March 1st using dog proof traps, and a 22 pistol.
South Dakota has a super predator bounty system. $10 for each fox, racoon, possum, skunk tail turned in. The first month is for youth only, then open to all. Payout limit is $590 to keep it under the 600 limit where taxes must be claimed. Wish other states would enact this, would help out ground nesting birds.

[mobirdhunter]

I like the idea of a managed bounty. I think with today’s deck stacked so much against quail (and quail habitat) that some sort of variable control is in order. The Feds are coming around in their NRCS policies regarding CRP and native grasses and forbs, but ultimately, it’s the farmers who need to buy in and also have a clear sense that programs like field buffers, etc. are in their best interests.