Published: May 09, 2008 07:19 pm            

Hendricks, Johnson and Morgan counties home to ‘Quail Forever’

In an effort to reverse the dramatic decline in the local bobwhite quail population, conservationists in Indiana’s Morgan, Johnson and Hendricks counties have formed the state’s newest Quail Forever (QF) chapter, known as the Tri-County Chapter of QF.

Development and clean farming in the area have eaten away vital bobwhite quail habitat in the counties, which are south of Indianapolis.

“We have a few coveys here and there, but it is pretty light,” said Jerry Henson of Martinsville, the chapter’s president. “This area’s quail have been begging for some attention.”

Henson says the chapter is excited about Quail Forever because it will help involve local communities in fighting the problem.

Pheasants Forever launched Quail Forever in August of 2005 to address the continuing loss of habitat suitable for quail and the subsequent quail population decline. QF chapters promote local, state, and federal conservation programs that help landowners protect environmentally sensitive acres for quail and other wildlife. They also employ the organization’s unique model of empowering local chapters with 100 percent control of the chapters’ locally-raised funds to complete habitat and youth education projects in the chapters’ own communities.

Visiting with local landowners and educating them about the benefits of conservation programs will also be a chief focus of the Tri-County chapter. One such opportunity for landowners is the federal Conservation Reserve Program’s Conservation Practice 33, or CP-33.

Commonly referred to as Bobwhite Buffers, CP-33 is a conservation practice targeted at improving bobwhite quail habitat through the creation of habitat buffers along row crops. Indiana has been allotted 20,000 acres, and currently more than 10,000 acres have been enrolled.

“Indiana quail hunters and conservationists continue to show a strong commitment to conservation and improving quail habitat,” said Brian Grossman, QF Regional Wildlife Biologist. “The Tri-County chapter cares about maintaining and bettering this resource and keeping the great tradition of quail hunting alive.”

The chapter has also elected Julie Henson of Martinsville as treasurer, Chris Layton of Martinsville as vice president, and Ed King of Martinsville as youth/education chair.

For more information about meetings and the chapter, contact Jerry Henson by calling (765) 349-1839 or by e-mailing to JHenson@JDHContracting.com.

For more information on QF in Indiana, to start a chapter or join one of the state’s existing chapters, contact Grossman by calling (502) 538-7656 or by e-mailing to bgrossman@quailforever.org.

        

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