Davidson, William R.

DeVos, Theodore

Hurst, George A.

Kozicky, Edward L.

Peoples, Alan D.

English

University of Tennessee, Knoxville: Trace

National Quail Symposium Proceedings Volume 3 Article 28 1993 Appendix A: Releases of Pen-Raised Quail George A. Hurst Mississippi State University William R. Davidson University of Georgia Theodore DeVos Auburn University Edward L. Kozicky Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute Alan D. Peoples Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation Follow this and additional works at: https://trace.tennessee.edu/nqsp Recommended Citation Hurst, George A.; Davidson, William R.; DeVos, Theodore; Kozicky, Edward L.; and Peoples, Alan D. (1993) "Appendix A: Releases of Pen-Raised Quail," National Quail Symposium Proceedings: Vol. 3 , Article 28. Available at: https://trace.tennessee.edu/nqsp/vol3/iss1/28 This Appendix is brought to you for free and open access by Volunteer, Open Access, Library Journals (VOL Journals), published in partnership with The University of Tennessee (UT) University Libraries. This article has been accepted for inclusion in National Quail Symposium Proceedings by an authorized editor. For more information, please visit https://trace.tennessee.edu/nqsp. 178 Quail III RELEASES OF PEN-RAISED QUAIL GEORGE A HURST, Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Mississippi State University, MS 39762 WILLIAM R. DAVIDSON, D. B. Warnell School of Forest Resources and Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602 TED DEVOS, Alabama Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36830 EDWARD L. KOZICKY, Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute, Campus Box 218, Texas A&I University, Kingsville, TX 78363 ALAND. PEOPLES, Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, 1801 North Lincoln, Oklahoma City, OK 73105 Citation: Hurst, G. A., W.R. Davidson, T. De Vos, E. L. Kozicky and A. D. Peoples. 1993. Strategic plan for quail management and research in the United States: issues and strategies-Releases of pen-raised quail. Pages 178-179 in K. E. Church and T. V. Dailey, eds. Quail III: national quail symposium. Kansas Dep. Wildl. and Parks, Pratt. As northern bobwhite populations declined over the past 3 decades, increasing numbers of quail enthusiasts have resorted to releasing pen-raised quail. Most state game agencies are no longer directly involved with release programs. Nevertheless, many private landowners continue to make releases of pen-raised quail the center of their game-bird management efforts, rather than focus on habitat improvement and limit their quail hunting to what the carrying capacity of the land will provide. The impact of releasing pen-raised quail in the midst of remnant wild quail populations is not understood. Therefore, managers and biologists should strive to err on the conservative side when considering use of pen-raised quail to provide recreational oppor-tunities. The northern bobwhite is a game-bird resource that is treasured by a diverse user group, and should not be put in jeopardy by massive annual releases of pen-raised stock. Issue 4.1 PEN-RAISED TO WILD QUAIL DISEASE TRANSMISSION We have virtually no information on whet.her liberated pen-raised northern bobwhite transmit disease to wild quail.The extent and dynamics of such processes are virtually unknown. Strategies (summarized from Landers et al. 1991): 4.1.1-Perform research on potential disease risks for wild quail or other game birds that might be associated with releases of pen-raised quail. 4.1.2-Immediately initiate a program to mini-mize disease risks by conveying appropriate dis-ease prevention and control practices to producers and users of pen-raised bobwhites. Issue 4.2 GENETIC MAKEUP OF PEN-RAISED AND WILD QUAIL There is very little information on the impor-tance of heredity and environment on the produc-tion of pen-raised quail for release on private lands. Furthermore, there is little published in-formation on how releases (especially large and widespread ones) of pen-raised quail may affect the genetic integrity of wild quail. Strategies 4.2.1-Conduct research on relative importance and roles of heredity and other factors (pens, people, contact, etc.) on field behavior of pen-raised quail after release. 4.2.2-Conduct laboratory research to establish genetic make-up of pen-raised quail. 4.2.3-Compare genetic makeup of pen-raised quail to genetic makeup of quail in museum 1Hurst et al.: Appendix A: Releases of Pen-Raised QuailAppendix A. Strategic Planning Workshop specimens, or in populations that have not been subjected to releases of pen-raised quail. 4.2.4-Conduct field research on the extent of gene flow from released pen-raised quail to wild quail. Issue 4.3 GAME FARM QUAIL FOR HUNTING Nonhunters and the general public seem to have either a neutral or negative perception of game farm production of quail for shooting. Strategies 4.3.1-Develop materials to e.x-plain the reasons for game farm production of quail. 4.3.2--Use extension service and public out-reach programs to educate people about the social traditions and other positive aspects of quail hunting. Issue 4.4 INFLUENCE OF PEN-RAISED QUAIL ON WILD QUAIL There is virtually no reliable, published infor-mation about how releases of pen-raised quail influence movements, habitat use, and social structure of wild bobwhite populations. Relationships of releases of pen-raised quail to possible excessive mortality of wild quail as a result of increased hunting pressure are not un-179 derstood. Furthermore, we do not know if large-scale releases of pen-raised quail can cause a functional and numerical response of predators that will carry over into increased predation on wild quail. Strategies 4. 4. I-Conduct research to determine if released pen-raised quail influence habitat use, move-ments, and social structure of wild coveys. 4.4.2-Perform field research on predation rates of quail in a variety of experimental situations ranging from wild populations with no released birds to populations that have been subjected to extensive releases of pen-raised quail. Issue 4.5 PEN-RAISED VS. WILD QUAIL FOR HUNTING Release and subsequent pursuit of pen-raised quail do not simulate the hunting experience as-sociated with wild quail. Strategies 4.5.1-Develop methods of producing pen-raised quail that will behave like wild birds under hunt-ing conditions. 4. 5. 2--Study effects release techniques and cover conditions have on behavior of pen-raised quail. This information can be used to better simulate the experience of hunting wild quail, e.g., covey flushes. 2National Quail Symposium Proceedings, Vol. 3 [1993], Art. 28

Appendix A: Releases of Pen-Raised Quail

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Appendix A: Releases of Pen-Raised Quail

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