Quail Forever (QF) is excited to announce a new chapter start in Nevada. The Northern Nevada Red Legged Devils Chapter will be based near Reno but will include members from any county in the northern half of the state. Volunteers are thrilled to be contributing to the organization’s mission through habitat improvement projects and citizen science in collaboration with the Nevada Department of Wildlife. Local upland hunting and habitat enthusiasts pulled together to form the chapter after hearing Stamm speak on the Upchukar podcast, hosted by Travis Warren. Once members showed interest, Stamm helped them officially sign a charter agreement, and will now help the chapter develop and execute their lofty conservation goals. “This chapter is filled with young and highly motivated people,” said Stamm. “A lot of great habitat work in Nevada has been done by the southern chapter, but now this group has a chance to make a huge impact on northern Nevada’s wildlife habitat and populations.” The chapter will be hosting its first meeting and social evening on May 18 at the Peavine Tap House in Verdi, Nevada. To learn more about this exciting new chapter and how to get involved, head to the link below.

Quail Fact Friday!💡 Nesting season is upon us in some parts of the country! Did you know male Gambel’s quail serenade potential mates from lofty perches during mating season? Mated pairs embark on extensive territory explorations, searching for the perfect nesting spot. Typically, nest sites are nestled on the ground, hidden beneath the protective shade of shrubs, grass, or cactus. However, sometimes they opt for nesting in stumps or trees, occasionally building them as high as 32 feet! They’ve also been known to repurpose old nests from thrashers and roadrunners! #quailforever #quailfactfriday #quail #gambelsquail

Today, the Department of the Interior released its much-anticipated Public Lands Rule, creating a conservation leasing mechanism for Bureau of Land Management (BLM) acres. The new rule prioritizes healthy landscapes, abundant wildlife habitat, clean water, and balanced decision-making at the forefront of public lands management decisions. Pheasants Forever (PF) and Quail Forever (QF) applaud agency leaders for creating a tool to carry out durable restoration and mitigation on America’s 245 million BLM acres, including landscape-level projects for upland birds and other wildlife. “While we haven’t yet had a chance to read the newly final Public Lands Rule in its entirety, we applaud BLM’s innovative approach to elevating conservation in its land management decisions, and we’re excited for the opportunities the rule may create to help PF & QF deliver our habitat mission on lands across the West,” stated Ariel Wiegard, PF & QF’s vice president of government affairs. “Our organization is also looking forward to partnering with other BLM land users, including in the livestock and energy sectors, to bring this rule to life and ensure the long term sustained yield of America’s natural resources.” The rule will help to ensure the BLM continues to protect land health while managing other uses of the public lands, such as clean energy development and outdoor recreation. The final rule: - Directs BLM to manage for landscape health - Provides a mechanism for restoring and protecting our public lands through restoration and mitigation leases, while maintaining existing authorized uses including recreational access - Clarifies the designation and management of ACECs Learn more at the link: https://quailforever.org/BlogLanding/Blogs/Quail-Forever/Pheasants-Forever-and-Quail-Forever-Applaud-Revised-BLM-Public-Lands-Rule.aspx

This spring, local volunteers of the Treasure Valley Chapter of Pheasants Forever in Boise, Idaho made a significant donation for the future of upland habitat management and hunting access. A $30K check was presented to the Idaho Fish & Wildlife Foundation to be used for conservation purposes on the recently acquired Mayfield Property, a 5,534-acre parcel of land which will be incorporated into the Boise River Wildlife Management Area as the Cornell Segment. The Mayfield Property consists of large tracts of upland shrub-steppe habitat ideal for sage grouse and other upland birds, while providing winter habitat for large herds of mule deer and elk. The property abuts and is now incorporated into the Idaho Department of Fish and Game’s Boise River Wildlife Management Area. Previously private property, the land had historically been used by a local dog training club but will now benefit from focused efforts to maximize wildlife and hunter values, including broadening public access. Read more at the link:

As the calendar hits mid-April, upland birds are starting to nest across a large swath of North America. To safeguard this critical timeframe, many states have applied quiet periods, commonly referred to as the “nesting season ban,” which restricts the training of dogs on public lands to protect breeding wildlife and offspring. Do you self-impose your own nesting season ban on PRIVATE LANDS to protect your bird population? As an example, Minnesota Statute 97B.005 states: “A person may not train hunting dogs afield on public lands administered by the [DNR] commissioner from April 16 to July 14 except as specifically authorized by permit or rule.” From an ethical standpoint, hunters and bird dog owners should be doing everything in our power to help wildlife thrive on the landscape, including leaving our favorite quarry undisturbed during the most critical time of the year. Pressuring upland gamebirds with bird dogs during the nesting and brood-rearing season is simply biting the hand that feeds you. So, does the nesting season ban require going cold turkey on dog training? Absolutely not. There are lots of alternatives from training clubs (NAVHDA for example) and game farms to open training grounds in your local community that are designed for year-round hunting dog use. The map in this post provided by USDA, indicates primary nesting periods for each state, and does not show dates for quiet periods in each state. Upland hunters should contact their local conservation officer for more information about quite periods and dog training on lands administered by your state DNR agency from early spring through midsummer. Link to see full blog: https://quailforever.org/BlogLanding/Blogs/Quail-Forever/Help-Keep-Bird-Dog-Pressure-Away-from-Spring-Nesting-Season.aspx

Quail Fact Friday!💡 Let’s talk about turkeys and quail! As turkey season heats up, some folks blame these big birds for the decline in our beloved bobwhite quail. But here’s the truth: there’s no scientific evidence to back that up. While it’s easy to point fingers, the real culprit behind quail decline is habitat loss. Development and intensive agriculture have taken a toll on quail habitat, leaving them with fewer places to call home. The good news? Turkeys and quail can live side by side! With the right habitat management practices, both species can thrive in the same areas without negatively impacting each other. So instead of blaming turkeys, let’s focus on what we can control: creating and preserving quality habitat for quail and other wildlife. Together, we can ensure a brighter future for our feathered friends! #quailforever #quail #bobwhitequail #quailfactfriday