Upland game bird chicks are on the ground and in their first few weeks of life. The importance of brood-rearing (brooding) cover cannot be emphasized enough. For landowners and land managers looking to enhance upland game bird populations, it is essential to recognize what constitutes quality brooding structure and how to manage and maintain it effectively. Key Features of Effective Brooding Cover: •Includes a mix of native wildflowers and legumes that bloom and produce seed at different times throughout the entire year. This provides year-round forage for upland birds, wildlife, and pollinators alike. •Vegetation structure and species diversity that attracts a multitude of insects which chicks and poults rely on for food during the first few weeks of life. •Plant species that provide overhead cover from aerial predators and weather, while also preserving an understory that allows for ample bare ground/open space. This enables chicks to roam freely without becoming ensnared in overly dense vegetation. •The value of brooding cover declines significantly as the stand ages. Regular disturbance, such as burning, is important to rejuvenate the cover. Looking to add or diversify brooding cover on your property? Check out the Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever Seed Store (PFHabitatstore.com) for pre-designed and custom seed mixes. 100% of proceeds from seed sales go directly to support our mission to conserve quail, pheasants, and other wildlife through habitat improvements, public access, education, and conservation advocacy. #quailforever #thehabitatorganization

Looking to get your hands on some of the new QF logo merch and stickers? This is your chance with our Forever Forward Raffle! Choose your entry level to guarantee a QF sticker pack, hat or both, plus you will be entered to win this incredible prize package that features gear from over 12 brands, a QF Life Membership and a 2 day, 2 person Oklahoma quail hunt. Click the link in our bio to see all the great gear up for grabs! *Three (3) winners will be drawn at random and awarded in the order drawn: First Place, Second Place and Third Place. The First-Place winner will receive the Grand Prize Package. The Second-Place winner will receive their choice of the QF or PF Package. The Third-Place winner will receive the QF or PF Package that was not chosen.

Quail Fact Friday! July is brooding season for bobwhite quail across the Midwest. Adult quail brood by covering their chicks with their body and wings, creating an umbrella to keep chicks warm, dry, shaded, and hidden from predators. During the first few weeks of life, this is done throughout the night to help with temperature regulation. It is also used to shelter chicks from precipitation, wind, direct sunlight, and predators. Adults also use soft calls to keep their chicks close while foraging, ready to gather them at the first hint of danger. With less than half of chicks surviving to winter, July is a critical month for broods to have quality habitat for shelter and food. Quality habitat creates more quail. #quailforever #quailfactfriday #thehabitatorganization