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Adopt a Farm Program will help improve Bobwhite quail habitat
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By Greg Schieber
Special for the Argus
The quest to restore Bobwhite quail habitat in Southeastern Minnesota, initiated by Thurman Tucker a few years ago and continued with local support, will add some new recruits to the roster. This spring students will get a lesson in conservation as they team with the local Quail Forever chapter to kick off the Adopt a Farm Program.
The Adopt a Farm Program will serve to provide some of the essential habitat components for quail populations, while educating and inspiring a conservation ethic among students.
Through the program the Quail Forever chapter hopes to provide students with hands on experience with nature and teach them to identify plant and animal species. Tasks will include planting shrubs, building brush lines, installing winter feeders, and taking regular inventory of plant and animals species. Quail will benefit from improved habitat, but Tucker also suspects students will learn practical skills in species identification as well as a more comprehensive understanding of the quail species and habitat changes through their efforts.
Tucker, originally from Tennessee, used to hunt down south. When he moved to Minnesota and learned that quail used to be abundant until 50 years ago, he was inspired to begin recovery efforts for the small populations left.
Since then Pheasants Forever has sponsored a local Quail Forever chapter. In addition, the U.S. Department of Ag sponsored a conservation easement program called CP-33 in which farmers are paid to idle farmland and restore quail habitat. Up to 500 acres in Houston and Fillmore counties are eligible. In 2007, 230 acres were reportedly registered as CP-33. Tucker explained that “because of rental rates, it’s been tough” but noted approximately 400 acres owned by 40 different landowners are now a part of the program.
It is on some of these acres that students will partner with landowners to provide habitat improvements.
Good quail habitat requires a mix of brush and shrubs, bare ground, and waist high grasses and weeds. The past year Quail Forever has been involved in creating a pilot farm as a demonstration of good quail habitat. “We really want people to go by there and take a look, this is what a good quail habitat looks like,” stated Tucker.
“We get information every week from people who are seeing quail,” Tucker said. He estimates that population totals in Minnesota are still around 1,000 birds but sees reason for hope that population numbers will soon increase as CP-33 registered land becomes more hospitable to quail through efforts such as the Adopt a Farm Program. “We want to coordinate these land owners and work with them. We should be able to start seeing some results pretty quick,” Tucker optimistically noted. The goal of a lottery based hunting season by 2014 is still on track he reports.
“As a rule you’re going to lose over half your birds, that’s just the way nature operates,” estimated Tucker concerning the cold and snowy winter. Regardless, over 50 birds have already been sighted in Mound Prairie, Caledonia, Jefferson, and Winnebago townships in January and February.
To report sightings people are encouraged to call Tucker at (612) 588-2007 or contact Gary Larson at the NRCS office at (507) 724-5261.
The annual Quail Forever banquet fundraiser is Saturday evening, March 28 at Good Times. Social hour begins at 5:30 followed by a program and dinner at 7:30. Call 725-5558 for tickets.
Quail Forever membership is open to anybody interested, not strictly hunters. The Minnesota chapter holds meetings 6:30 p.m. every second Tuesday of the month at Good Times. Extra volunteers interested in helping with the Adopt a Farm Program are also needed.
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