Members of the Quail Forever team recently attended an event in southern Alabama that sparked interest in our beloved gamebird, the bobwhite quail. The Wetumpka Wildlife Arts Festival is a relatively new, but quickly expanding event that celebrates wildlife art and the great outdoors. Art appreciators and outdoor enthusiasts recently gathered for this annual festival, which featured a series of educational presentations, art exhibits and classes, outdoor vendors, children’s activities, and delicious food. Quail Forever was fortunate to be included in this year’s event due to the thoughtful consideration of Quail Forever national board member, Thomas Harris. Harris, along with Pam Swanner of the Alabama Black Belt Adventures Association, and Tim Gothard of the Alabama Wildlife Federation worked to ensure that attendees were well informed concerning what Quail Forever could do to assist them on their properties. Learn more about bobwhite quail in Alabama at the link below.

Apply now for action trackchair grants. Do you know of someone with mobility challenges who loves bird dogs, field training, and upland hunting? Track2wing applications are open for submissions on a rolling basis through March 31st. More info at the link below. Since 2020, Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever have been a proud partner of the Anisfield-Wilson Track2wing Project, a grant program for recruiting, retaining, and reactivating individuals with mobility challenges into the world of bird dog training and upland hunting. https://quailforever.org/BlogLanding/Blogs/Quail-Forever/Track2wing-Expanding-the-World-for-Individuals-with-Mobility-Impairments.aspx

Perhaps Virginia is not the first state that comes to mind when you think of bobwhite quail. Like many other states in the bobwhite range, habitat loss in Virginia has led to sharp declines in a once thriving quail population. This trend was noticed by Quail Forever members Briscoe and Kenan White. Passionate conservationists, they wanted to make a difference for quail in their home state. Meanwhile, Marc Puckett and Jay Howell, small game project leaders with the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources, were developing a vision for a project that could change the trajectory of the state’s bobwhite quail population. Learn more about this project and quail in Virginia at the link below. https://quailforever.org/BlogLanding/Blogs/Quail-Forever/Bobwhite-Quail-Efforts-on-the-Rise-in-Virginia.aspx

BOGO tickets for the biggest upland event of the year! Use the link below for this limited time offer to purchase one National Pheasant Fest & Quail Classic ticket and get a second one for free! 2024 National Pheasant Fest & Quail Classic, is back in Sioux Falls and promises to be an event you won't want to miss! The nation’s largest upland tradeshow and convention has something for everyone including hunters, landowners, and bird dog enthusiasts. https://pfqf.myeventscenter.com/event/2024-National-Pheasant-Fest-Quail-Classic-84173

Today the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced they would reopen enrollment for the Continuous Conservation Reserve Program (continuous CRP). The program will reopen on January 12, 2024 — Additionally, producers already participating in CRP whose contracts expire this year can apply to re-enroll beginning the same day. Learn more about this latest announcement and how to enroll, at the link below. “CRP is the cornerstone of our work to empower producers and landowners in fostering healthy upland bird populations on their properties,” said Ariel Wiegard, vice president of government affairs at Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever. “We’re thankful to Congress for extending CRP’s authorization into 2024, and to the USDA for offering timely opportunities to enroll new acres and re-enroll expiring acres in this vital program. CRP exemplifies Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever’s commitment to a future where wild lands and working lands come together to support life and livelihoods across the country.” https://quailforever.org/BlogLanding/Blogs/Quail-Forever/USDA-Reopens-Signup-for-Continuous-Conservation-Reserve-Program.aspx