Releasing Quail

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JEREMY ORTIZ Member since: 11/17/2009 Location: KS	Releasing Quail by JEREMY ORTIZ on 07:36:52 PM 10/13/2012 - [ Send Private Message ] I have a few questions about releasing pen raised quail into the wild. But not so broad as to how and when. More so towards cultivation of food sources. I have a draw of CRP grass fairly large that is completely surround by crops. Last year (2011) season it was milo. This year the crop is wheat which was just planted two months ago. Here in kansas the wild birds are always in the milo. So I guess the question I am looking for an answer to is this. Can quail survive thru winter with a winter wheat and no milo? And I guess that goes for wild quail also? This draw does not have quail in it, they are near by and it holds pheasants year to year. There is milo on the next section over. Will quail like pheasants travel to the milo to feed? Any input is welcome!

JEFF DAVIS Member since: 04/09/2011 Location: TN	RE: Releasing Quail by JEFF DAVIS on 04:12:36 PM 11/26/2012 - [ Send Private Message ] Jeremy, I didnt know the answer to your questions, so I thought I would ask around and get you an answer. Thanks to Jason from Wildlife Management Technologies ( http://www.wildlifemanagementtechnologies.com ) I have a reply and this is what he said: Quail will feed on numerous seeds, both agricultural and weed seeds (ragweed, sunflower, etc.). Depending on what all is incorporated into his CRP field, he may have plenty of seeds available (if he has done any maintenance to it there should be lots of seed - controlled burns, strip disking, etc.). Quail dont like to leave their home area much (which is usually around 40 acres), so they wont travel as far as a pheasant to feed. Another option would be to use a supplemental feeder like we offer if he wants to ensure they have a good, consistent place to feed.

JEREMY ORTIZ Member since: 11/17/2009 Location: KS	RE: Releasing Quail by JEREMY ORTIZ on 08:14:16 PM 12/16/2012 - [ Send Private Message ] Jeff, thank you very much for your reply. This information will be extremely helpful. Thank You!

U. PENNACCHIETTI Member since: 02/03/2016 Location: ON	RE: Releasing Quail by U. PENNACCHIETTI on 04:09:04 PM 01/01/2017 - [ Send Private Message ] Jeremy, it is my own belief that releasing quail anywhere in KS would not serve you well at all. Our experience is that they only serve to weaken what wild stock you have in the surrounding area. You are SO lucky in KS to have such an abundance of healthy, savvy, wild quail. I would never want to risk or compromise what you have there in KS, personally. Ill be back again next year, Lord willing. Lastly, our best efforts via quail restoration processes have returned a disappointing number of survivors that completely disappeared in a matter of months. They did however increase the frequency of avian and coyote appearances which in your case will further impact local wild quail.