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Conservation Of Quail By Planting Food Plots
Quail
have a very short life span with a small range of activity and
live in coveys from few in number to up to maybe twenty.
Due to the small bird size quail coveys can be sustained
on ¼ acre food plots.
Like all
wildlife species man has had a hand in almost decimating the
quail populations and they have been drastically reduced over the years by
loss of habitat. Planting food plots for quail and other wildlife species will help remedy this situation. Quail are not migratory and
live and die within the small areas that each covey claims as
their own.
 QUAIL FOOD PLOT SEEDS
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Due to
the efforts of the Federal Conservation Program and Quail Unlimited (a non profit
organization) these beautiful birds live once again in record numbers. One main factor that
has helped to return these birds to the wild is the ability of the chicks to be raised in
"nurseries" and released without losing their "wildness". Many
wild animals of all species cannot be bred in captivity let alone raised with success for
returning to the wild.
The plantings of natural habitats for quail are
easier than with most other animal species. The main requirements being brush, hedges,
seeding grasses and weeds, some nearby trees and watering areas. A large backyard planted
in a meadow atmosphere adjacent to a neighboring covey can give a bird watcher hours of
fun. Adding a small watering spot and dusting area and they might just move in!
Quail are found in most of the United States and Mexico in many
related species. The most popular of the quail in North America are the bob white species
of which there are many sub-species.
Quail eat insects, many varieties of vegetative matter and mainly seeds. Seeds make up
nearly the whole diet of quail by fall when all the surrounding plants have matured and seeded out
for the next spring. Areas with heavy dew provide enough moisture for quail but otherwise quail need a nearby water supply. Many quail can be found along
creeks and ponds after a day of feeding. The range of crops that can be planted for quail
conservation is quite extensive. Perennial grasses like Bahia, weeds, indigenous
wildflowers, lespedeza, vetch, clovers, and the list goes on.
Add to these perennial food plot and cover plants some annuals
such as brown top millet, clovers, soybeans, sorghums sunflowers, sesame, buckwheat, peas,
trailing beans, and anything that produces small seeds or attracts insects. Low bushes and
hedges can be used in the development of a habitat with the addition of oak trees (or
similar), any type of brushy growth that quail can hide, roost, or pass through as
undetected as possible to decrease attention from predators and make it harder for said predators to
get to them. This might possibly include blackberry and raspberry stands. This could be a
wonderful family project for those who are living in the country and already have seen
quail nearby. Note that domestic cats are big killers of quail so if you have cats you won't have
quail.
Recommended Plantings For Quail Food Plots & Habitats
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How to Plant & Manage Wild Game Mix Food Plots
Deer,
rabbit and turkey will begin to browse food plots in about 45 days after
planting. Quail and pheasant will begin to
eat the seeds that mature in about 60-70 days. Deer will begin to
graze when plants are several inches tall. Plant food plots near water sources for Duck and other waterfowl
feeding.
To avoid overgrazing pressure on plots
located near heavy deer population, additional plots should be planted about 300 yards apart. Excess deer grazing can damage food plot seedlings. Pennington
Spring and Summer Food Plot Seed Mixture provides food plot feeding and game
bird habitat from spring through summer. Some plants in this mixture provide quail, pheasant and other wild birds edible seeds for fall and winter.
Most Food plot seed mixtures are best planted on a fully prepared and well
placed seedbed for optimum growing conditions (harrow and broadcast the
seed). The best food plot size is about 5000 sq. ft. of forest area with at least 50%
sunshine available. Alternatively you may plant a number of smaller food plots. Fertilize food plots with food plot fertilizer when planting for best results. By
re-seeding every spring you will develop a sustainable food plot that can result in
returning feeding habits for area game. When planting for ducks or waterfowl plant
in close proximity to the water sources.
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