| Publication Type: | Journal Article |
| Year of Publication: | 1967 |
| Authors: | Burger, GV, Linduska, JP |
| Journal: | The Journal of Wildlife Management |
| Volume: | 31 |
| Issue: | 1 |
| Date Published: | 1967 |
| ISBN Number: | 0022541X |
| Keywords: | Colinus, Colinus virginianus, Coturnix, Coturnix coturnix, Odontophoridae, Phasianidae |
| Abstract: | Quail coveys on an experimental area on the Eastern Shore of Maryland increased from 5 to 38 in 8 years. All new coveys could be related to one or more specific management practices, and such practices rather than weather or other factors appeared to be responsible for increased quail numbers. Starting in 1957, a number of soil, water, and wildlife conservation measures were applied on a 3,000-acre area of cropland, pasture, and woodland. Practices affecting bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) habitat included (1) creation and seeding of waterways and diversion terraces, (2) retirement and seeding under federal programs of headlands and borders of crop fields, and (3) establishment of plantings designed to improve farm-game habitat. Through 1964, these practices included seeding 49.4 acres to grass and 8.5 miles of 30-ft strips to sericea lespedeza (Lespedeza cuneata), and planting 7.1 miles of multiflora rose (Rosa multiflora) hedges and 14 acres of food-producing shrubs. Survival of plantings was excellent and growth was good. Land-use changes dictated by practical farming considerations, primarily fallowing odd areas and reducing grazing intensity, also improved quail habitat. The most effective habitat-improvement measures were planting multiflora hedges adjoining pasture or with an herbaceous border, planting strips of grass or sericea adjoining woody cover, and reducing grazing. Winter cover and nesting cover, not food, apparently were the most important requirements of the quail population. Coveys formed in conjunction with multiflora hedges appeared on an average of 3.7 years after hedge planting, and 2.6 years if an herbaceous border was planted with the hedge. Response to provision of nesting cover occurred within 2 years after seeding. Total cost of plantings was $2,800. With a 10-year minimum productive lifetime of plantings, cost amounted to approximately 65 cents per bird per year for additional quail produced by 1964. |
| URL: | http://www.jstor.org/stable/3798353 |
| Short Title: | The Journal of Wildlife Management |
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