On The Wing Podcast Ep. 273: Books Every Upland Bird Hunter Should Read, is live. Listen now at the link below, or wherever you get your podcasts. https://quailforever.org/BlogLanding/Blogs/Quail-Forever/Podcast-Ep-273-Books-Every-Upland-Bird-Hunter-Should-Read.aspx Host Bob St.Pierre is joined by Pheasants Forever Journal Editor Tom Carpenter and Quail Forever Journal Editor Ryan Sparks for the first-ever meeting of the Upland Bird Hunters’ Book Club. The conversation starts with a discussion about Norman Maclean’s A River Runs Through It and how that book, and subsequent movie, changed the general public’s perception of fly fishing. St.Pierre poses the question, “has the upland bird hunting version of that classic narrative been written yet?” Episode Highlights: - The “national treasure” Tom Carpenter dives deep into his bookcase of classics with personal tales, including a story of his cherished friendship with renowned bird hunting writer Ben O. Williams. - Sparks covers a wide array of genres with his selections as his top five picks include a cookbook, a collection of essays, a couple of classics, and even a wacky fiction where a wealthy English hunter is reincarnated as a pheasant on his own hunting estate.

It might be a mouthful, but the recently announced Working Lands For Wildlife, Northern Bobwhite Pilot Project is the biggest endeavor for bobwhite quail in American history. Announced at the 2024 Pheasant Fest & Quail Classic by USDA Under Secretary Robert Bonnie, the project marks the largest concerted effort to restore bobwhite quail populations across 18 states. This is the first time national funds will be sent to states explicitly for bobwhite quail habitat. Specifically, this project earmarks $13 million for bobwhite habitat in 2024. This project is one part of a larger, 5-year effort to improve 7-million acres of bobwhite habitat. One historical obstacle with bobwhite conservation is that most bobwhite habitat occurs on private land. The Working Lands For Wildlife, Northern Bobwhite Pilot Project seeks to address that obstacle by incentivizing private landowners to participate in voluntary conservation practices that will benefit bobwhite quail. Learn more about this historic new project at the link below.

Grilled quail with grapes and onions, fresh off the grill with QF Journal Editor Ryan Sparks. This recipe by chef Jesse Griffiths was originally featured in the summer issue of the QF Journal, and can now be found at our website at the link below. https://quailforever.org/BlogLanding/Blogs/Quail-Forever/Gamebird-Gourmet-Grilled-Quail-with-Grapes-and-Onions.aspx

Quail Fact Friday!💡 Most hunters know that quail struggle in brutally cold temperatures, but how do they deal with the heat? Most quail species forage in the cooler mornings and evenings, resting in the shade during peak heat. Gambel’s quail scratch out ground depressions to cool off and also use “gular fluttering” to regulate body temperature. Gular fluttering is contractions of the upper neck muscles that rapidly move air across membranes within the mouth and throat. It is essentially the bird version of panting in dogs. Scaled quail, adapted to slightly cooler areas, use evaporative cooling and can increase their metabolism to lower their body temperature, but struggle above 104°F. Northern bobwhites rely on plant cover for shade, especially during nesting season, to avoid thermal stress. Effective land management with adequate plant cover is crucial for their survival. Whether it be cold or heat, quail are true survivors! #quailforever #quail #quailfactfriday

A hot Arizona summer day is the perfect time for a trip to the local guzzler. 🎥: @jasontrailcammiller