“Hunting may not be fundamental to being a good quail biologist, but not hunting quail is certainly a missed opportunity to interact with the bird in its habitat. If there’s a better classroom than the places quail live, and better teachers than Mr. and Mrs. Bobwhite, I don’t know them. At the time, I had seven QF biologists on staff who had never hunted quail, and I was asking for the opportunity to change that with very little to offer in return. Luckily for me, the training of young quail biologists has, in the time I’ve known him, always been a passion of Mr. Jimmy’s.” Read the entire story: “Field Lessons: Hunting Shapes Quail Management in Mississippi” By John Mark Curtis, Mississippi & Alabama State Coordinator, at the 🔗link in our bio. 📸: by Catherine Carter This story was originally publish in the Fall 2024 issue of the Quail Forever Journal, become a member today to get more stories like this at your doorstep. #quailforever #quail #quailhunting

Quail Fact Friday!💡 Partridge peas are a powerhouse plant for bobwhite quail. These native legumes provide an essential source of food and cover throughout the year. Partridge pea flowers are a beautiful bright yellow with reddish-purple bases. In the fall and winter, partridge pea seeds offer a high-protein snack for quail coveys, helping them survive the colder months. Their ripened seeds explode when touched, scattering the seeds for quail and propagating the plant for future seasons. The dense, low-growing vegetation also creates excellent cover for chicks and adults to hide from predators. By incorporating partridge pea into your habitat plan, you’re not only giving quail a reliable food source but also improving nesting and brood-rearing cover. It’s a win-win for quail and wildlife! #quailforever #quail #bobwhitequail #quailfactfriday

“After two hours of what I refer to as “shotgun aerobics,” we finally heard the steady beep of locator collars announcing dogs on point. Following the contour line around a tall rock outcropping, we came upon an unusual but welcome sight. It wasn’t just that the two wirehairs—our Maggie and our friend Mike’s Buzz—were solidly on point. They were locked up in an open grassy area free of obstructing brush, which almost never happens on Mearns quail hunts. After we lucked into that large covey on open ground, I knew better than to expect two such miracles in the same morning. Over the next hour the dogs pointed one covey that earned a futile Hail Mary from Lori as the birds flushed through oaks so dense they were almost impossible to track. Since we didn’t want to overwork the dogs, we decided to walk downhill and work the easy cover back to the truck.” Read the full article “Our Mystery Quail: Shotgun Aerobics in Mearns Country” by E. Donnall Thomas Jr., that originally was published in the Fall 2024 issue of the Quail Forever Journal, at the link in our bio. #quailforever #quail #quailhunting #mearnsquail