New North Carolina Broad River Quail Forever Chapter Runs Deep with Quail Restoration

Dedicated to bringing back quail and educating youth, annual chapter banquet to be held April 6

Bobwhite quail enthusiasts in North Carolina have formed the newest Quail Forever chapter. Named Broad River Quail Forever, hunters and conservationists created the Cleveland County-based group to be an active force in reestablishing quail habitat in the region.

Covering six counties in the upstate region of South Carolina and 13 counties in the Southern Piedmont region of North Carolina, dedicated chapter members work to ensure that area quail have the habitat necessary to sustain their existence and that local youth have opportunities to get out and enjoy the great outdoors.

“It’s no secret that quail populations have plummeted over the past few decades. Every day coveys have to contend with habitat loss, urban sprawl, and unforgiving weather. The road we choose is not easy, but we know we are making a difference one acre, one covey, and one quail at a time,” notes David Huggins, Broad River Quail Forever chapter president. “Our chapter is made up of a group of people that work well together, and who are committed to the fullest in bringing back North Carolina’s quail populations.”

In addition to its annual banquet, which is being held April 6, the chapter has a youth event planned for May 18. At the event, the chapter plans to give North Carolina youth the opportunity to experience the outdoors through archery, bird dog demonstrations, turkey and duck calling, and pellet rifle and skeet shooting.

“The members of the Broad River Quail Forever chapter are well-versed in quail restoration and are passionate about bringing back North Carolina’s native gamebird and passing on this tradition to the state’s youth,” says Shon Robbins, Quail Forever regional wildlife biologist. “I am confident this chapter will become an anchor for Quail Forever and the organization’s habitat mission in North Carolina and throughout the Southeast.”

The Broad River Quail Forever chapter

• The Broad River Quail Forever chapter has also elected Roger Hogston of Shelby as vice-president, Todd Lanham of Davidson as treasurer, Tim Barnett of Gastonia as banquet chair, Darin Melton of Bessemer City as habitat chair, and Stephen Self of Casar as youth/education chair
• The chapter’s annual banquet will be held on April 6 at Go Forth Hall on the Shelby Fair Grounds
• For more information on the Broad River Quail Forever chapter, please contact David Huggins at (704) 747-2426 / email David

Quail Forever

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. Bobwhite population losses over the last 25 years range from 60 to 90 percent across the country. The reason for the quail population plunge is simple - massive losses of habitat suitable for quail. There are five major factors leading to the losses of quail habitat; intensified farming and forestry practices, succession of grassland ecosystems to forests, overwhelming presence of exotic grasses like fescue that choke out wildlife, and urban sprawl.