LAST CALL! Landowners interested in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) signup have until the end of business on Friday, June 6th (TOMORROW!) to apply. CRP is America’s crown jewel of voluntary conservation programs for creating wildlife habitat, improving soil health, protecting water resources, safeguarding rural economies, and delivering financial certainty to producers. While time is running out, starting the process is literally one click away. Check out the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s CRP resource center at https://www.fsa.usda.gov/resources/programs/conservation-reserve-program Or Contact a PF & QF biologist at https://quailforever.org/Habitat/findBiologist.aspx to talk through your options. #quailforever #thehabitatorganization

Kansas Study Aims to Guide Quail Management in the Sunflower State A study in Kansas is examining what factors have allowed bobwhite quail to thrive on Kansas’ agricultural landscapes. The study was initiated by Jeff Prendergast, Upland Gamebird Program Coordinator with Kansas Department of Wildlife & Parks and Dr. James Martin with Martin GAME Lab. We visited one of the study sites with Mayson Metcalf, a Working Lands for Wildlife Bobwhite/Grassland Birds Outcomes Assessment Tech for Quail Forever, to witness the work firsthand. The quail are live trapped and fitted with radio collars. Metcalf then conducts surveys where he uses a receiver and antenna to locate collared quail and make notes about what areas of the property they are most frequently using. It is also noted the type of cover type they are using, such as shrubs and grass cover. The radio collaring is accompanied by point county surveys. These surveys involve visiting the sites to listen for and record the number of bobwhite whistles during peak times of vocalization. Dr. James Martin of the University of Georgia says, “When creating bobwhite habitat, there’s a need to consider production agriculture. This becomes infinitely more complex when a large portion of the landscape is needed to produce food or forage. This project aims to figure out the thresholds of habitat needed, how that habitat is distributed, and how the intensity of agriculture mediates the relationships between habitat and bobwhite.” To learn more about what Quail Forever is doing for bobwhites in Kansas, contact a Quail Forever Biologist. https://bit.ly/4mBV42G Read the full story: https://bit.ly/3Ze18ok #quailforever #thehabitatorganization

Our public lands are under attack. A looming proposal in the U.S. Senate could open the door to selling off lands that belong to all Americans. Read “Our Land: The Soul of America” to understand what’s at stake – and then take action. Click the link below to contact your two U.S. senators. It’s the most important thing you’ll do today. Take Action: https://pheasantsforever.quorum.us/campaign/126909/ Read the article: https://quailforever.org/BlogLanding/Blogs/Quail-Forever/Our-Land-The-Soul-of-America.aspx #quailforever #thehabitatorganization #quailforever #thehabitatorganization

NEW ON THE WING PODCAST // “Ballad of the Bird Dog” Host Bob St.Pierre is joined by Quail Forever Journal Editor Ryan Sparks for a conversation about bird dogs with musician, hunter, and Pheasants Forever member Reese Glover Music. After the unexpected death of St.Pierre’s German shorthaired pointer, “Esky,” he wrote the blog, “The Story of a Bird Dog Going Out on Top.” Upon reading that blog, Glover sent St.Pierre his song, “Ballad of the Bird Dog,” which tells the story of a bird dog’s final hunt at eleven years old. This episode brings laughter, tears, and a lifetime of memories. Listen to this special episode at the link below or wherever you get your podcasts. https://bit.ly/4jui9lr #quailforever #onthewingpodcast

To all the chapters, volunteers and supporters who made Hands-On Habitat Month a success THANK YOU! Over one hundred events involving thousands of participants across 19 states were held with one goal in mind – making a difference for conservation. Just because Hands-On Habitat Month is over doesn't mean the work has to be. It is always a good time to get together with friends and hunting buddies to improve the habitat around you. Hands-On Habitat month is supported by onX Hunt #quailforever #handsonhabitat #thehabitatorganization

Quail Fact Friday! When it comes to nesting, bobwhite quail don’t follow a calendar – they follow the sun. As days get longer, increasing daylight (aka photoperiod) triggers the breeding and nesting season. Studies have demonstrated that increasing daylight hours can stimulate egg production in captive settings. However, in wild populations, environmental conditions also play a significant role in determining the timing and success of nesting. Habitat, temperature, rainfall, and food availability all determine when hens will lay – and how successful their nests will be. #quailforever #quailfactfriday #thehabitatorganization