Comments for Boots and Briars http://bootsandbriars.com Wed, 25 Apr 2012 16:33:55 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 Comment on Johnny’s House a Home on the Range by Jim Evans http://bootsandbriars.com/johnnys-house-a-home-on-the-range/comment-page-1/#comment-1028 Jim Evans Wed, 25 Apr 2012 16:33:55 +0000 http://bootsandbriars.com/?p=88#comment-1028 Randy, Birds that are established through a "pre-season or "early release" process become free ranging and establish a home range similar to a wild covey. I and many others have documented survival of some of these quail throughout the summer and into the next season. In fact, reproduction has also been documented as well but at a level that is under what would be expected from pure wild stock. For this to happen, you have to have habitat that is managed just as you would for wild birds. By this I mean that you need the area to contain some patches heavy cover for shade and protection, brood habitat, nesting habitat and predator control. I usually have some birds produce broods on my project (150 acres) each summer but I still conduct an early release every year to assure a huntalbe population for me and the dogs. Birds that are released from the Johnny Houses at the end of the season would probably have less of a chance under the same conditions, but if you are actually managing the area for quail you should still be able to have some results. We have a DVD called "Managing Quail Fields" that shows all the various habitat requirements for quail and explains how to create them on your property. This DVD can be obtained from our website at qualitywildlife.com If you are like me, I like to hear the males calling during the summer around the farm. Thanks Jim Evans Randy,
Birds that are established through a “pre-season or “early release” process become free ranging and establish a home range similar to a wild covey. I and many others have documented survival of some of these quail throughout the summer and into the next season. In fact, reproduction has also been documented as well but at a level that is under what would be expected from pure wild stock. For this to happen, you have to have habitat that is managed just as you would for wild birds. By this I mean that you need the area to contain some patches heavy cover for shade and protection, brood habitat, nesting habitat and predator control. I usually have some birds produce broods on my project (150 acres) each summer but I still conduct an early release every year to assure a huntalbe population for me and the dogs.
Birds that are released from the Johnny Houses at the end of the season would probably have less of a chance under the same conditions, but if you are actually managing the area for quail you should still be able to have some results.
We have a DVD called “Managing Quail Fields” that shows all the various habitat requirements for quail and explains how to create them on your property. This DVD can be obtained from our website at qualitywildlife.com
If you are like me, I like to hear the males calling during the summer around the farm.
Thanks
Jim Evans

]]> Comment on Johnny’s House a Home on the Range by Randy Gooch http://bootsandbriars.com/johnnys-house-a-home-on-the-range/comment-page-1/#comment-1026 Randy Gooch Sat, 21 Apr 2012 18:51:27 +0000 http://bootsandbriars.com/?p=88#comment-1026 Do they survive on there own at this point? Do they survive on there own at this point?

]]> Comment on Methods of Feeding Quail by Jim Evans http://bootsandbriars.com/methods-of-feeding-quail/comment-page-1/#comment-1025 Jim Evans Wed, 22 Feb 2012 16:52:17 +0000 http://bootsandbriars.com/?p=59#comment-1025 Mary, Prescribed grazing as you have described is usually considered beneficial for quail. The intensity and frequency of grazing is dependent on the particulars of your geographic region. Dale Rollins is an extension agent in Texas that would be able to give you specifics. Dale's e-mail is (d-rollins@tamu.edu) Thanks Jim Evans Mary,
Prescribed grazing as you have described is usually considered beneficial for quail.
The intensity and frequency of grazing is dependent on the particulars of your geographic region.
Dale Rollins is an extension agent in Texas that would be able to give you specifics.
Dale’s e-mail is (d-rollins@tamu.edu)
Thanks
Jim Evans

]]> Comment on Do Early Released Quail Run Off Wild Quail by Jim Evans http://bootsandbriars.com/do-early-released-quail-run-off-wild-quail/comment-page-1/#comment-1024 Jim Evans Wed, 22 Feb 2012 16:45:55 +0000 http://1029877455#comment-1024 Larry, Quail are an upland game bird and nesting success would be limited in a wetland setting. However, you may be able to create hunting opportunities on the adjoining mid-slopes and higher ground. If you have a couple hundred acres of higher ground, you could develop the proper habitat setting of annual weeds and grasses needed to support quail. Low areas usually support a lot of predators so once you have the habitat you should conduct predator control in order to "level the playing field". By conducting a good preseason release project each year you could enjoy the fruits of you labor and obtain some carry over through the summer. When I hear the calling of "bobwhite" during the summer, it tells me that my habitat work and predator control is doing the job. I have produced two DVD's that may be of help to you. One is called "Managing Quail Fields" - it shows you all of the habitat types needed for quail and tells you how to create them economically. The second DVD is call "Putting Quail Back in Your Quail Hunting"- it explains the basic principles needed to conduct a successful preseason release project. Hope this helps. Jim Evans Larry,
Quail are an upland game bird and nesting success would be limited in a wetland setting.
However, you may be able to create hunting opportunities on the adjoining mid-slopes and higher ground.
If you have a couple hundred acres of higher ground, you could develop the proper habitat setting of annual weeds and grasses needed to support quail. Low areas usually support a lot of predators so once you have the habitat you should conduct predator control in order to “level the playing field”.
By conducting a good preseason release project each year you could enjoy the fruits of you labor and obtain some carry over through the summer. When I hear the calling of “bobwhite” during the summer, it tells me that my habitat work and predator control is doing the job.
I have produced two DVD’s that may be of help to you.
One is called “Managing Quail Fields” – it shows you all of the habitat types needed for quail and tells you how to create them economically.
The second DVD is call “Putting Quail Back in Your Quail Hunting”- it explains the basic principles needed to conduct a successful preseason release project.
Hope this helps.
Jim Evans

]]> Comment on The Critical Elements of Releasing Quail by Jim Evans http://bootsandbriars.com/the-critical-elements-of-releasing-quail/comment-page-1/#comment-1023 Jim Evans Wed, 22 Feb 2012 16:27:19 +0000 http://bootsandbriars.com/?p=33#comment-1023 John, Just as a rule of thumb, I conduct my preseason releases in early fall. This is the time of year that the quail are forming coveys and establishing their winter home ranges. When releasing quail in early fall, I generally use a quail 12 weeks old or older. Many people want to release birds in the spring. This is usually a disaster because the habitat still offers very little feed and cover until about mid-summer. When you combine a reverse migration of coopers hawks with scarce food and cover for the quail, it adds up to a wipe out. Hope this helps. Jim John,
Just as a rule of thumb, I conduct my preseason releases in early fall.
This is the time of year that the quail are forming coveys and establishing their winter home ranges.
When releasing quail in early fall, I generally use a quail 12 weeks old or older.
Many people want to release birds in the spring. This is usually a disaster because the habitat still offers very little feed and cover until about mid-summer. When you combine a reverse migration of coopers hawks with scarce food and cover for the quail, it adds up to a wipe out.
Hope this helps.
Jim

]]> Comment on The Critical Elements of Releasing Quail by John http://bootsandbriars.com/the-critical-elements-of-releasing-quail/comment-page-1/#comment-1022 John Fri, 17 Feb 2012 04:25:25 +0000 http://bootsandbriars.com/?p=33#comment-1022 Is there a certain time of the year to release my quail Is there a certain time of the year to release my quail

]]> Comment on Do Early Released Quail Run Off Wild Quail by Larry Paulsen http://bootsandbriars.com/do-early-released-quail-run-off-wild-quail/comment-page-1/#comment-1020 Larry Paulsen Sun, 15 Jan 2012 13:50:50 +0000 http://1029877455#comment-1020 I own 600 acres with a mile along the Trinity River in Freestone County Texas and want to establish a quail population. Half of the land is a designated wetlands area so heavy cover and no cattle.There are no quail there now. Is it possible and if so, what should I do? I own 600 acres with a mile along the Trinity River in Freestone County Texas and want to establish a quail population. Half of the land is a designated wetlands area so heavy cover and no cattle.There are no quail there now. Is it possible and if so, what should I do?

]]> Comment on Methods of Feeding Quail by Mary http://bootsandbriars.com/methods-of-feeding-quail/comment-page-1/#comment-1019 Mary Wed, 04 Jan 2012 16:08:00 +0000 http://bootsandbriars.com/?p=59#comment-1019 Hi Jim, We have a 117 acre ranch in Gonzales County, TX. Since buying it, we have been working hard to bring the place back to its natural habitat as it had been overgrazed. Our property is in the post oak savannah, but we also have a couple of cleared areas, and several large areas with various oak trees. We also have a couple of areas with large mesquite and prickly pears. Three years ago, we were happy to see the tall grasses grow back which include little bluestem and a couple of other grasses wich we are not sure what they are. This past fall, my husband and son spotted 3 quail on the property while hiking. I would like to help the quail populate. We allow for prescribed grazing once a year for only 2-3 weeks. Will this prescribed grazing harm the quail? I would like to put a quail feeder next to one of the ponds that has good tree cover. Thanks, Mary Hi Jim,

We have a 117 acre ranch in Gonzales County, TX. Since buying it, we have been working hard to bring the place back to its natural habitat as it had been overgrazed. Our property is in the post oak savannah, but we also have a couple of cleared areas, and several large areas with various oak trees. We also have a couple of areas with large mesquite and prickly pears. Three years ago, we were happy to see the tall grasses grow back which include little bluestem and a couple of other grasses wich we are not sure what they are. This past fall, my husband and son spotted 3 quail on the property while hiking. I would like to help the quail populate. We allow for prescribed grazing once a year for only 2-3 weeks. Will this prescribed grazing harm the quail? I would like to put a quail feeder next to one of the ponds that has good tree cover.
Thanks, Mary

]]> Comment on TENNESSEE REDS by Jim Evans http://bootsandbriars.com/70/comment-page-1/#comment-1018 Jim Evans Wed, 04 Jan 2012 15:35:06 +0000 http://bootsandbriars.com/?p=70#comment-1018 I wouldn't think that you should have a problem since you are not a commercial breeder, but since most regulations don't make a lot of sense you should call your local office of fish and game. I wouldn’t think that you should have a problem since you are not a commercial breeder, but since most regulations don’t make a lot of sense you should call your local
office of fish and game.

]]> Comment on Johnny’s House a Home on the Range by Jim Evans http://bootsandbriars.com/johnnys-house-a-home-on-the-range/comment-page-1/#comment-1017 Jim Evans Wed, 04 Jan 2012 15:21:46 +0000 http://bootsandbriars.com/?p=88#comment-1017 Dan, Quail coveys begin to break up as spring arrives. Members of the covey begin to break off from the main group. By the time the breeding season is in full swing, the male bobwhites are pairing up with hens. If you try to keep the adult quail in the confinement of a Johnny House during this time, you will be attempting to force the birds to remain in a "covey" during a time of year that their biology requires "elbow room". This will result in an increase in fighting and injury to the birds. Since the birds are wanting to disperse , rather than covey, they will not want to recall to the house either. Some dog trainers have to hold birds longer . They try to get around this problem by just confining hens, but this can lead to other problems unless the diet is changed to one of a higher protein. Holding quail in a Johnny House during the summer is a good way to have a lot of snake problems as well. For me, when spring approaches, and I am finished with my Johnny House for the year, I just leave the release door of the house open and let the quail come and go as they please. I keep food and water in the house until the quail eventually quit coming back to the house and shift to their summer diet of insects, buds and berries. Dan,
Quail coveys begin to break up as spring arrives. Members of the covey begin to break off from the main group. By the time the breeding season is in full swing, the male bobwhites are pairing up with hens.
If you try to keep the adult quail in the confinement of a Johnny House during
this time, you will be attempting to force the birds to remain in a “covey” during a time of year that their biology requires “elbow room”. This will result in an increase in fighting and injury to the birds.
Since the birds are wanting to disperse , rather than covey, they will not want to recall to the house either.
Some dog trainers have to hold birds longer . They try to get around this problem by just confining hens, but this can lead to other problems unless the diet is changed to one of a higher protein.
Holding quail in a Johnny House during the summer is a good way to have
a lot of snake problems as well.
For me, when spring approaches, and I am finished with my Johnny House for the year, I just leave the release door of the house open and let the quail come and go as they please. I keep food and water in the house until the quail eventually quit coming back to the house and shift to their summer diet of insects, buds and berries.

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