Not long-term survival, no. Released birds that acclimate and survive the next summer to raise young are just as susceptible to whatever caused the bobwhite quail decline in the first place. Long term survival is not possible until someone figures out what caused the population crash in the first place. When I said "make it on their own" I did not mean re-establishing a totally thriving population that needs no assistance. I meant that a large number of them survive over a year and raise young, which the rest of the game biologist adamantly argued with Jim that they would not do. But, they do. I can take you on another of my friend's land, who releases every August, any early morning during the spring and summer. We can stop the truck and step out, and we will hear a chorus of quail calling to each other in the early morning. Dozens at once. We see little ones scurrying across the lanes behind Mama all summer. Those birds have too be survivors from previous releases because there were no birds on the place when he bought it 12-14 years ago.
Jim is not one of those biologists with his head stuck in the books. He's as fine a woodsman as I've ever known. He was a demolition expert in the Army, and does beaver control work utilizing his skills with DetaGel. You really don't do yourself any favors when you lump all game biologists into one category. You did say almost, and I know for myself that Jim has got plenty common sense. After having been a friend of his for some 25 years I can tell you that if society ever goes to ----, he's one that I'd welcome in my camp.
I've once again allowed myself to help take a thread too far OT. I'm done with this rabbit chase, Frank. Have a good day.
SRH
Last edited by Stan; 02/01/19 09:13 AM.
