Landowners can get tips for bolstering quail populations on March 5
The S.C. Department of Natural Resources will hold its 27th annual Wild Quail Management Seminar on March 5 at the Webb Wildlife Center in Garnett to help landowners and land managers learn the proper techniques for creating habitat that will support native populations of bobwhite quail.
The registration fee is $85, including meals, overnight accommodations and seminar materials. Space is limited to 35 participants; call SCDNR’s Small Game Project (803-734-3609) or email castinep@dnr.sc.gov for details.
“Properties that consistently carry medium-to high-density wild quail populations are actively managed to provide quail with all the habitat components necessary throughout the year,” said Willie Simmons, SCDNR’s small-game project supervisor. “These seminars are designed to improve quail habitat management skills, and the information is presented so that anyone with an interest can implement these practices on their property regardless of size.”
Field demonstrations and classroom instruction will focus on habitat practices, including firebreak establishment, prescribed burning, forest management, brush control, discing for natural foods and supplemental food patch plantings. Presentations will be given on wild quail history, biology, diseases and parasites, predation and other factors that may be contributing to the population decline. An update on current research will also be presented.
Speakers will include wildlife and forestry professionals from state and federal agencies.
More than 1,385 people have attended the seminar since its inception in 1987.