Quail Fact Friday! Arizona is home to three native quail species: Gambel’s Quail: The desert generalist, found throughout most of Arizona. While commonly associated with desert scrub, they also inhabit semi-desert grasslands, oak chaparral, and even pinyon-juniper woodlands. Scaled Quail: These are restricted to southeastern Arizona, favoring semi-desert grasslands and scrublands. Their scaly plumage helps them blend perfectly into their arid surroundings. Mearns’ Quail: Often found in the Madrean evergreen oak savannahs of Arizona’s Sky Islands. These distinctive quail thrive in the rugged oak-dotted slopes of the southeast. Which Arizona quail is on your hunting bucket list?

Hunting season is right around the corner and now is the time to gear up with new Quail Forever merch! Shop headwear, everyday apparel, upland gear and dog accessories at the link in our bio! #quailforever #thehabitatorganization

On this week's episode of “On the Wing Podcast” Host @pheasantbob is joined by Quail Forever Journal Editor @1.ryan.sparks.1 for a conversation with Jason Passalacqua, owner of @passalacquawinery, and @jessmargaretboone, Passalacqua’s winemaker. This episode celebrates a new collaboration between Quail Forever and Passalacqua introducing a Quail Forever Pinot Noir and a Quail Forever Fiano. A portion of the sale from each of these wines will go to QF’s wildlife habitat conservation mission. Listen to this episode at the link in our bio or wherever you get your podcasts! “On the Wing Podcast” is proudly fueled by @proplansportingdogs #quailforever #pheasantsforever #onthewingpodcast

Quail Fact Friday! Elegant quail are a beautiful species mostly found along the Pacific slopes of Mexico’s Sierra Madre Occidental, from Sonora to northern Jalisco, with rare sightings in southern Arizona. Breeding season for elegant quail usually occurs in the spring, triggered by the availability of food and changes in daylight. The male performs a captivating courtship display, showcasing his plumage and vocal abilities to attract a mate. Females typically lay a clutch of 8-12 eggs in a carefully concealed ground nest. Both parents play a role in nurturing the young. Elegant Quail play a crucial role in its ecosystem by foraging on the ground and aiding in seed dispersal and promoting plant diversity. #quailforever #quailfactfriday #thehabitatorganization

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