Pro Staff Blog

Bird Dog Enthusiasts Hatch Iowa's Second Quail Forever Chapter

20080201_qfpf

Iowa City, Iowa – August 11, 2008 – A group of passionate bird dog trainers and competitors are now using that ambition to put more bobwhite quail habitat on the ground. Hailing from southeastern Iowa, the group has formed Iowa’s second Quail Forever (QF) chapter, the Hi Point Chapter of QF.

“This chapter has seen the success of Quail Forever’s conservation methods in other regions and realized they could help preserve and protect wildlife habitat themselves by putting this model to work, in fundraising through various dog competitions and trials,” explained Tom Fuller, QF’s regional representative in Eastern Iowa. “With the money raised at these events they will be able to help the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) work with private landowners to continue quail habitat restoration practices throughout an enormous 20-county area.”

Although Iowa quail populations have encountered hard times in recent past years, there has been encouraging news recently as quail are responding positively to current habitat conservation initiatives. The Hi Point chapter feels it is important to continue working closely with the DNR to bring further ambition and awareness to private landowners on the topic of habitat preservation and maintenance. While covering the entire southeastern quadrant of Iowa, the chapter will be teaming up with DNR private lands biologist Kevin Andersen to create funding and cost share incentives for area landowners to help conserve and produce quality quail habitat.

“Some of what we’ll be doing with the funding includes planting seasonal grasses and proper food plots, critical controlled burns, edge feathering practices, the implementation of CP-33 bobwhite buffers and the creation of connective habitats between different private properties,” said Andersen, “Essentially, we’ll be doing anything that puts more habitat on the ground and coveys in the air.”

The Hi Point chapter has elected Adam Fellers of Iowa City as president, Jeremy Capper of Marengo as treasurer, Brad Sefcik of Marion as secretary and Scott Shrader of North Liberty as habitat chair. Brice Morris of Marengo and Michael Green of North Liberty have been elected the chapter’s vice presidents.

The Hi Point chapter’s first fundraising event will be taking place on October 5th and will consist of a Fun Field Trial at the Highland Hideaway near Riverside, Iowa. This competition is open to all levels of dogs and handlers as the greatest emphasis will be placed on having a great time while raising habitat awareness. For more information on this event or the Hi Point chapter in general, please contact president Adam Fellers at (319)331-5890 or via email at adam.fellers@royalcanin.us .

For more information on QF in Iowa, contact Tom Fuller at (319)828-2050 or via e-mail at tfuller@pheasantsforever.org. Iowa’s other QF chapter is the Trail Blazers Chapter of QF in central Iowa. For more information on that chapter, log onto http://www.trailblazers-quailforever.com/ .

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.

Since the organization’s inception, over 100 QF chapters have formed in 25 different states. The QF mission is accomplished through habitat improvement, land management, public awareness, education, and conservation advocacy.

For additional information about Quail Forever, please visit www.QuailForever.org

Kevin Paulson

Kevin Paulson is the Founder and CEO of HuntingLife.com. His passion for Hunting began at the age of 5 hunting alongside of his father. Kevin has followed his dreams through outfitting, conservation work, videography and hunting trips around the world.

Related Articles

Back to top button