Quail management workshop scheduled for Oct. 1

Until a few decades ago, quail hunting was arguably the most popular hunting activity in the Midwest.

Due to a number of changes in the landscape and in management practices, the population of this once-popular gamebird appears to be on the decline. Conservationists believe quail can make a comeback, but much will depend on the habitat management that take place on private land, according to a press release from the Missouri Department of Conservation.

Landowners can learn more about the habitat needs of quail and what they can do on their own land to improve the bobwhite's situation in Missouri at a quail management workshop from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 1, at the Bushwhacker Lake Conservation Area in southwest Vernon County.

Managing or creating habitat for quail involves a multitude of tasks. Among the topics covered at the workshop will be quail ecology and life history, grazing and grass management, woody cover management food plot placement, food management and prescribed burning.

The workshop is free and lunch will be provided.

Participants will be given an information packet to take home.

Those interested can register and get directions to the event by calling the Vernon County Natural Resources Conservation Service office (417) 667-8137, ext. 3, or the Missouri Department of Conservation office in El Dorado Springs, (417) 876-5226.