No matter what species you are managing, the question is always the same, “What does the data say?” Quail Forever’s own “Quail Hunting Forecast” relies on data that is reported by state small game biologists. Monitoring is critical for measuring success, and bobwhites are no exception.
Bobwhite quail are an “R-selected” species that have high reproductive rates coupled with high mortality rates. Populations can fluctuate widely from year to year depending on weather, habitat, predation, and other factors. so yearly monitoring is needed to effectively track changes.
With most animals, it is impossible to count every individual, so we use multiple methods to help track population changes. Some methods only provide an indication of presence or absence of the species and others give us an estimation of population structure and size, but all methods allow us to track trends over time. This information can be used to gauge effectiveness of management programs, identify areas that are lacking, and to direct state wildlife agencies in setting harvest regulations.
🔗 To learn more about the different methods used for quail monitoring head to the link below to read "Keeping the Eye on the Prize," by state quail biologist for the Georgia Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Resources Division Dallas Ingram, and Working Lands For Wildlife Bobwhite Framework Coordinator for Quail Forever Dr. Jessica McGuire
