Quail Forever makes improvements to habitat on public, private land

ALBANY — “They always say time changes things, but you actually have to change them yourself.” — Andy Warhol.

In 1970, the Georgia Legislature passed a joint resolution making Bobwhite Quail the state’s game bird. The resolution says, in part, “… Whereas, thousands of Georgia sportsmen annually trek to the fields to bag their limit of the Bobwhite Quail, this marvelous bird can withstand a loss of two-thirds of its population with no reduction in the spring breeding population, thus providing the Georgia huntsmen with continued exciting sport …”

Ironically, even as this proclamation was being read, a multitude of changes in agricultural and forestry practices combined with urban sprawl were unknowingly combining to dramatically reduce quail populations across the country. By the turn of the century, populations had decreased by as much as 85%. Southwest Georgia, once considered “The Quail Capital of the World,” was no exception.

For decades research projects were undertaken to determine the cause of the dramatic decline in such a relatively short period of time. Organizations were founded to raise funding for these studies and fund habitat management practices that were identified as potentially beneficial. As a result, isolated populations of wild quail have survived. However, wide-ranging success has been elusive.

“In 2014, a group of avid quail hunters in southwest Georgia came together in an effort to make a change related to these declining numbers in our region,” Albany outdoors enthusiast Tommy Gregors said. “After a good deal of deliberation, the group chose to join forces with Quail Forever, with a focus on youth involvement in hunting and shooting sports.

“Our other areas of focus were on improving public hunting opportunities, habitat initiatives, and good reputation addressing state and national legislative issues relating to hunting and conservation. We felt their programs and initiatives matched what we wanted in southwest Georgia.”

As a result of these efforts, the Southwest Georgia Chapter of Quail Forever was founded. The founders of the chapter were not novices when it comes to fundraising, and they immediately put the unique hunting opportunities in the region to use creating the Georgia Quail Invitational. Following this year’s event, which was held recently, it’s estimated that they have raised $1 million over the past decade.

Quail Forever’s chapter format allows local chapters to direct how these funds will be used. In southwest Georgia, their programs have resulted in major improvements to quail habitat on public land as well as private property.

Jess McGuire, the science coordinator for Quail Forever’s national program emphasized the importance of involving small private landowners to, “ensure sufficient habitat connectivity” for covey survival and habitat expansion. A variety of programs aimed at smaller landowners provides burn teams to provide plans and equipment for controlled burns critical to habitat management. Other programs she highlighted include Quail Forever’s ability to provide biologists that are capable of assisting small landowners in developing short- and long-range management plans.

The chapter is also involved with a variety of school-based shooting and environmental programs, as well as youth programs at Marine Corps Logistic Base-Albany. Another Quail Forever program is Women on the Wing, designed to introduce women to not only the sport of quail hunting but conservation in an enjoyable social environment.

Obviously, the group that came together to make a change has done more than can be highlighted in this article. More details on these efforts and programs will be the focus of future articles.

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