This Old Gun // "First Gun, Forever Gun" by treyj1920 "Like most kids growing up in rural America, I was exposed to hunting at a young age and began receiving guns as Christmas gifts as soon as I was mature enough to handle them safely. Among my first firearms was a New England Firearms Pardner Model single-shot .410 — the perfect tool for a young boy to shoot doves over his favorite cattle pond. Eventually, I grew out of my .410 and was promoted to a 20-gauge pump so I could “shoot doves like the adults.” The little single-shot sat in our family safe for over a decade, patiently waiting for the day that my children were old enough to inherit their first shotgun. While planning my third backcountry white-tailed ptarmigan trip, I had a thought: this hunt would likely entail dozens of miles on foot and very little shooting. Rather than lugging my over-under through the alpine, I realized my old .410 could ride in my hunting vest in one piece. That trip marked the gun's maiden voyage in my adult life, claiming a ptarmigan and a few dusky grouse along the way. Nowadays, my single-shot .410 gets more time in the field than any other gun I own." Read the full story now at the link in our bio and stay tuned over the coming weeks as we share more "This Old Gun" stories. This story originally appeared in the Fall 2025 issue of Quail Forever Journal. #quailforever #thehabitatorganization

Quail Fact Friday! Missing the iconic sound of “bob-white?” Bobwhite quail don’t go silent; they have just changed their song. Listen carefully at dawn for the distinctive whistle of “koi-lee”, their covey call. You can hear these calls mid-October through early December. Whistling typically starts 25 minutes before sunrise and may last from 30 seconds to a few minutes. The calls allow coveys to communicate their presence to each other. To hear the morning roll call, start listening 45 minutes before sunrise on low wind mornings and see how many coveys you can identify. You might just learn where to start your hunt. Quail Fact Friday is sponsored by irishsetterboots #quailforever #quailfactfriday #thehabitatorganization

Quail Hunting Forecast 2025 presented by sportsmansguide For the 2025 season, America's quail country is a study in contrasts. That's the theme you'll see woven throughout our state-by-state forecasts: quail numbers are rarely uniform, but coveys are always found at the intersection of habitat, weather, and persistence. Good years, tough years — the tradition endures. So, dive into this year's forecasts, check out your home state, and start planning a road trip to somewhere in quail country where you've never been. Somewhere out there, a covey is waiting to break from the grass and scatter skyward, carrying autumn on its wings. Read it now at the link in our bio. #quailforever #thehabitatorganization

October is here. Gear up for every covey rise this fall at the QF store. Shop now at the link in our bio. #quailforever #thehabitatorganization

The Hunter's Table // Pan-Seared Sharptail Grouse with Raspberry Sauce by danielleprewett There are many native grouse species in the US, but when it comes to cooking, they shouldn't all be treated the same. Sharptails and sage grouse have dark red breast meat and should be cooked similarly to wild duck and are best served medium-rare to preserve the flavor and color of their meat. Note from Danielle Prewett: You can substitute raspberries for the buffalo berries I used in the meal that inspired this dish, but if you live in an area where buffalo berries are accessible, use them! Click the link in our bio for the full recipe. #quailforever #thehabitatorganization

Build a Wildlife Area Week is coming to a close, and we are so grateful for the way our community has come together to expand critical habitat and public access. Because of supporters like you, and the strength of our partners and chapters, Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever’s Build a Wildlife Area program continues to protect critical habitat and create access for all. This progress is only possible through partnerships with agencies, local chapters, conservation allies, and members and donors like you. And it’s not too late to be part of this impact. Every dollar you give will be matched up to $400,000 and leveraged more than 10:1 through our Build a Wildlife Area program. That means your gift protects even more habitat and creates more opportunities for hunters, anglers, and outdoor enthusiasts. #quailforever #thehabitatorganization

Quail Fact Friday Mearns quail are little desert excavators. Their oversized feet and long claws allow them to dig for oxalis bulbs – an underground food few others can access. In fact, a single bird can leave dozens of small craters in a feeding area, each a sign of their remarkable foraging style. This adaptation helps Mearns survive in the oak savannas of the Southwest, where summer rains spark a hidden bounty beneath the soil’s surface. Quail Fact Friday is sponsored by irishsetterboots #quailforever #quailfactfriday #thehabitatorganization

Missouri's Pawnee Prairie Conservation Area As part of our ongoing Build a Wildlife Area Week, Quail Forever is excited to introduce Pawnee Prairie Conservation Area, 160 acres of new public land in Harrison County, Missouri. Located in the grand river grasslands priority area, this property is being restored to high diversity native prairie to provide hunting opportunities for bobwhite quail and other game for generations to come. Click the link in our bio to learn more about the Pawnee Prairie Conservation Area and the Build a Wildlife Area program. Special thanks to bassproshops & cabelas Outdoor Fund, sportdogbrand and navhdainternational for investing alongside us in on-the-ground conservation to protect habitat and create public access. #quailforever #thehabitatorganization

October is right around the corner. That means it is time to stock up on QF hunting gear and apparel. Shop now at the link in our bio and go into the season feeling good about your kit. #quailforever #thehabitatorganization

Public Access to Habitat Program Expands to Oklahoma Quail Forever is proud to announce the Public Access to Habitat (PATH) program has expanded to Oklahoma. Partnering with the okwildlifedept(ODWC), the program aims to enroll 10,000+ acres of high-quality upland habitat through the agency’s Oklahoma Land Access Program (OLAP). This effort is made possible by our incredible partnerships with onxhunt and ODWC, as well as support from local PF & QF chapters, donors and other conservation partners. Click the link in our bio to read the full story. #quailforever #thehabitatorganization

It’s Build a Wildlife Area Week—a time when conservationists like you come together to create lasting habitat and open public lands for everyone to enjoy. With your donation of $33 or more you will receive a limited-edition Quail Forever Nalgene bottle—a reminder of the wildlife and landscapes you’ve helped conserve. Every $1 you give will be matched dollar-for-dollar, up to $400,000, and leveraged more than 10:1 through partnerships — making your impact go even further. Click the link in our bio and become a Public Land Creator today. #quailforever #thehabitatorganization

Quail Fact Friday! Scaled quail are track stars. These desert-dwellers would rather sprint than take to the air. In September, as coveys form and the days remain hot and dry, you’ll often see them dashing across ranch roads or vanishing into creosote thickets. This running habit is no accident – it’s an adaptation to open, arid country where speed, stamina, and not exposing yourself to aerial predators means survival. Quail Fact Friday is presented by irishsetterboots #quailforever #quailfactfriday #thehabitatorganization

Field & Feather Auction – NOW LIVE! This is your shot at the ultimate Quail Forever and Pheasants Forever prize package! Here’s how it works… Bid or buy now on any of the limited-edition Field & Feather T-shirts for your chance to win the pre-selected T-shirt that includes the grand prize that’s packed with all the gear you need for this season. Don’t sleep on this, there are only 500 shirts available so check out the grand prize and place your bids today! Tap the link in our bio for all of the details. #pheasantsforever #thehabitatorganization