Roger Wells has a simple formula for increasing quail populations. “Cut trees and burn where you cut the trees,” he said.
Wells, an upland wildlife biologist, spoke at a banquet for the Kansas Upland Pioneer Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation in Piqua Saturday night. He also noted the historical significance of the 150 enthusiasts gathered: The local chapter is the first in the nation.
Expanding on the slash and burn concept of making more quail, Wells said habitat management is the key.
The prevalence of fescue, a cool-season grass and fodder for livestock, is a great disadvantage for quail, he said. Other negatives are diversified farming, which dedicates more ground to crops, and removal of hedgerows.
Quail, unlike most birds, spend a major portion of their lives on the ground, where they nest and forage for food. They also are more likely to move from one point to another on foot than wing and seldom wander far from where they’re born except when forced to by hunters or predators.
Consequently, Wells said, habitat is important.
Fescue grows thick but not tall and tends to become a tangle when it matures, making it difficult for adult quail, much less chicks, to move about to avoid danger or find food. Fescue also doesn’t produce abundant seed.
Native grasses are superior habitat, Wells said, noting they usually grow taller and in clumps, which facilitate the birds’ movement, and also produce ample seed for quail to munch on.
“Young quail often just can’t get through fescue,” he said, while under a canopy of native grass they move easily.
At each place setting for the chapter banquet at Piqua’s Knights of Columbus hall, Wells left a book of matches, and said that was the best tool for improving habitat.
Burn fescue, he said, so weeds have a better chance of sprouting and choking out the undesirable grass in field margins and road ditches.
He added higher chemical costs were a disadvantage for farmers but boded well for quail in that less fertilizer and herbicides resulted in more quail-friendly grasses and weeds.
Wells encouraged the farmers among his listeners to plant “picture frames of grass around fields.”
He also dismissed rural legend that hunters had a significant effect on quail numbers. Doesn’t matter when seasons open or how long they are, he opined, quail survival is much more affected by natural forces.
Wells, from Americus, has worked 37 years as a wildlife biologist, including “a long time for the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks.”
A SUBSTANTIAL amount of money was raised at the banquet to help create more and better habitat for upland wildlife.
A live auction of 45 items, including wildlife art, generated $9,500. A basketball signed by Coach Frank Martin and members of his Kansas State men’s basketball team fetched $1,000.
Silent auctions and raffles added to revenue.
Bob Walden is chairman of the chapter, Don Erbert is co-chairman and John Brocker is secretary-treasurer. All are Iolans.
