Free Lecture on Bobwhite Quail Restoration in North Carolina

Photo courtesy of NCWRC

The final wildlife seminar for this year will be held on Wednesday 19th November at the Centennial Campus in Raleigh. I realize this is short notice but I’ve been spending a lot time in the woods so I apologize. The Bobwhite Quail is certainly an interesting topic and a specie that has been in serious decline across most of the southeast.

The program will focus on the efforts by N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission and Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries biologists and N.C. State University researchers to restore populations of the northern bobwhite, or quail. Past collaborations have identified ways to stem the population declines of this once abundant game bird and researchers say efforts must continue into the future.

The seminar is free and no registration is required. A networking session with refreshments begins at 3:30 p.m. and the program starts at 4 p.m. The series is presented by N.C. State University’s Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences Program and the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission.

The Centennial Campus Center for Wildlife Education is located on the first floor of the N.C Wildlife Resources Commission’s administrative headquarters, 1751 Varsity Drive. A free parking pass is available by e-mail request, with name and mailing address included, to centennialcenter@ncwildlife.org. For more information, call (919) 707-0203.

Quail Hunt For A Good Cause

This weekend I traveled across the state to participate in a Quail Hunt to raise money for Relay For Life. The hunt was put on by my good friend and fellow bloger Billy over at Blind Ambitions. The hunt was held at Quail Hollow hunting preserve in Caser NC with another one of my friends Chip Camp.

There was a bit of a chill in the air when everyone arrived shortly after day break but by mid morning it was very comfortable. I don’t know what the final number of participants was but it seemed to be 20 or more showed up for the good cause. There were many youngsters there some for their first ever hunting experience as well as some adults who had not hunted in a number of years. An outing like this is perfect to introduce someone to hunting as well as to refresh the old memories of past hunts for others. Most opted to practice their shooting skills on the skeet range prior to hunting the real birds.

Quail hunting in the south is in serious decline and a covey of wild quail is almost impossible to find. Hunting preserves like Quail Hollow that release quail are about the only place many can go to hunt quail and to work their dogs. Efforts across the south continue to restore the quail that has declined mainly do to loss of habitat including farming practices that use to favor the quail. A rise in the predator population has also had an impact. Conservation efforts by the NC Wildlife Resources Commission as well as groups like Quail Unlimited continue to try to reverse the declining trend.

It was exciting to see the dogs go on point and to see the retrievers work to bring the birds back.

A great day was had by all. Hats off to Billy for putting this hunt on to help raise funds to find a cure for cancer as well as give us all an opportunity to hunt some quail. I don’t think there is anyone who’s live has not been touched some how by this horrific disease.