Forums
New posts
Search forums
What's new
New posts
New Trophy's
New trophy room comments
Media
New media
New comments
Search media
Members
Current visitors
New profile posts
Search profile posts
Classifieds
Trophy Room
New items
New comments
Latest content
Latest updates
Latest reviews
Author list
Series list
Search showcase
Log in
Register
What's new
Search
Search
Search titles and first posts only
Search titles only
By:
New posts
Search forums
Menu
Log in
Register
Install the app
Install
Forums
Tennessee Hunting Forums
Long Beards & Spurs
May Fish & Wildlife Commission Meeting
JavaScript is disabled. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding.
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an
alternative browser
.
Reply to thread
Message
<blockquote data-quote="TheLBLman" data-source="post: 5112055" data-attributes="member: 1409"><p>I somewhat disagree, as do not believe we've figured it all out yet.</p><p>Both <u>changes</u> & <u>losses</u> in habitat have been direct drivers of increased predation.</p><p></p><p>In fact, it may be that starvation (of young quail chicks) is a bigger factor than predation.</p><p></p><p>Regarding a predation, yes, progressively less trapping has been a driver of increased predation. But a larger predation issue may be the increased number and adaptations of raptor predators, particularly the Cooper's hawk.</p><p></p><p>At any rate, large acreage areas with better quail habitat now than these these same areas had in the 1950's still have problems enabling quail to flourish.</p><p></p><p>IMO, it's not a single one thing so much as it's everything that has gone against quail, and many of these factors also go against wild turkey.</p><p></p><p>As to the declination of quail, imo, the single #1 factor was the introduction of fescue which quickly replaced our native grasses. Fescue is bad for all wildlife, and in the case of quail, not only did it eliminate much of their food sources, but it also made it much easier for predators to catch birds.</p><p></p><p>Quail (and other birds) were adapted to our native grasses which are not as "thick" as fescue, and the birds could more easily (quickly) run or fly thru the native grasses. They get "hung up" in fescue, and the upper hand shifted to the predators. Same can be said for johnsongrass.</p><p></p><p>Others believe a loss of insects around agricultural operations has been a bigger driver of the declinations. I think it's everything, but particularly including fescue habitat changes (not just losses), increased predation, and fewer insects in ag areas.</p><p></p><p>There are thousands of contiguous acres scattered across TN where quail once thrived, yet, even when what is believed to be better quail habitat now than then is restored, they still don't thrive any more. That statement seems to include such large areas as even the Ames Plantation where the thriving of native bobwhite quail has been a top priority.</p><p></p><p><strong><u>My fear is similar is happening to our wild turkey populations</u></strong>, albeit the turkey is a tad more adaptive, less vulnerable to predation, and has a naturally longer lifespan than quail (i.e. something like 4 years vs. 2 yrs).</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="TheLBLman, post: 5112055, member: 1409"] I somewhat disagree, as do not believe we've figured it all out yet. Both [U]changes[/U] & [U]losses[/U] in habitat have been direct drivers of increased predation. In fact, it may be that starvation (of young quail chicks) is a bigger factor than predation. Regarding a predation, yes, progressively less trapping has been a driver of increased predation. But a larger predation issue may be the increased number and adaptations of raptor predators, particularly the Cooper's hawk. At any rate, large acreage areas with better quail habitat now than these these same areas had in the 1950's still have problems enabling quail to flourish. IMO, it's not a single one thing so much as it's everything that has gone against quail, and many of these factors also go against wild turkey. As to the declination of quail, imo, the single #1 factor was the introduction of fescue which quickly replaced our native grasses. Fescue is bad for all wildlife, and in the case of quail, not only did it eliminate much of their food sources, but it also made it much easier for predators to catch birds. Quail (and other birds) were adapted to our native grasses which are not as "thick" as fescue, and the birds could more easily (quickly) run or fly thru the native grasses. They get "hung up" in fescue, and the upper hand shifted to the predators. Same can be said for johnsongrass. Others believe a loss of insects around agricultural operations has been a bigger driver of the declinations. I think it's everything, but particularly including fescue habitat changes (not just losses), increased predation, and fewer insects in ag areas. There are thousands of contiguous acres scattered across TN where quail once thrived, yet, even when what is believed to be better quail habitat now than then is restored, they still don't thrive any more. That statement seems to include such large areas as even the Ames Plantation where the thriving of native bobwhite quail has been a top priority. [B][U]My fear is similar is happening to our wild turkey populations[/U][/B], albeit the turkey is a tad more adaptive, less vulnerable to predation, and has a naturally longer lifespan than quail (i.e. something like 4 years vs. 2 yrs). [/QUOTE]
Verification
Post reply
Forums
Tennessee Hunting Forums
Long Beards & Spurs
May Fish & Wildlife Commission Meeting
Top