The Flint River Chapter of Quail Forever (QF) recently donated $2,000 to help restore quail habitat on the Joe Kurz Wildlife Management Area...
The Flint River Chapter of Quail Forever (QF) recently donated $2,000 to help restore quail habitat on the Joe Kurz Wildlife Management Area in Meriwether County, according to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division (WRD). The generous donation was presented to Dan Forster, WRD Director at a recent Chapter meeting.
“We appreciate the dedication and commitment to conservation from the members of the Flint River Chapter of QF,” said District 126 Representative David Knight, Co-Chair of the Georgia Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus and member of the Flint River QF Chapter. “This donation will help the Department of Natural Resources to further manage important habitat on Joe Kurz WMA for quail and other wildlife and also ensure that the citizens of 126th District have access to a biologically
diverse area.”
Joe Kurz WMA is approximately 3,700 acres and is located in Meriwether County. The area has an abundance of wildlife including quail, deer, turkey, rabbits, squirrels, dove and other species. A specialty adult-child quota turkey hunt is available on the area during the 2009 hunting season. For more information go to www.georgiawildlife.com.
The Flint River QF chapter president, Vic Stenson, has noticed the downward trend of local quail populations. "I grew up hunting quail but now the wild birds just don't seem to be here anymore," said Stenson.
"Due to changes in land management, increased crop production, and suburban growth, Flint River QF members decided to take action before the quail situation worsened."
Pheasants Forever formed Quail Forever in August of 2005 to address the continuing loss of habitat suitable for quail and the subsequent quail population decline. QF chapters promote local, state, and federal conservation programs that help landowners protect environmentally sensitive acres for quail and other wildlife. They also employ the organization's unique model of empowering local chapters with 100 percent control of the chapters' locally-raised funds to complete habitat and youth education projects in the chapters' own communities.
Since the organization's inception, 106 QF chapters have formed in 25 different states. The QF mission is accomplished through habitat improvement, land management, public awareness, education, and conservation advocacy.
In order to contribute successfully to local quail habitat and populations, the Flint River chapter is executing a two-fold plan. This conservation blueprint encompasses both the renewal of habitat and the implementation of youth conservation education.
"We must combat the quail losses with not only habitat restoration and conservation, but by using education as a tool as well," says Andy Edwards, Regional Wildlife Biologist for QF. "There is going to be a lot of activity focused on getting younger generations involved in the outdoors, conservation, and creating a renewed local passion for quail. We want our youth to become future stewards of the land so there will always be quality habitat in Georgia."
According to Dan Forster, the WRD is also committed to providing opportunities for today’s youth. “Through the WRD Bobwhite Quail Initiative (BQI) program, youth hunters ages 10-17 may apply for quota youth quail hunts that will be conducted on private farmland during the quail season.”
Locations and rules for the BQI quota youth hunt dates will be available beginning August 15 with an application deadline of October 15, 2008. For more information go to www.gohuntgeorgia.com and click on the hunting tab.
For more information on Quail Forever in Georgia, contact Andy Edwards ataedwards@quailforever.org, or visit www.quailforever.org.