University of Georgia Students Form Newest Quail Forever Chapter
Quail Forever 02.27.14
Group will use funds to increase area habitat for upland wildlife
Some of the country’s youngest quail conservationists recently started Quail Forever’s (QF) newest local chapter in Georgia. Known as The University of Georgia (UGA) Quail Forever chapter, the group of students understood the need for habitat conservation within the state and felt they could make a positive impact by raising awareness for quail conservation as well as working hands on to improve area quail habitat.
“We’re excited to get this chapter rolling, because we have great potential for birds here in Northeast Georgia,” said Jase Brooks, the chapter’s newly elected president. “We have a lot of people fired up to raise funds, and in turn, use that money to improve and increase public hunting land in our area.”
Quail Forever’s unique model empowers county and local chapters with the responsibility to determine how 100 percent of their locally raised conservation funds will be spent, which was appealing to Brooks. “This organization is set up for future hunters and wildlife enthusiasts, and it will be great to see the fruits of our labor down the road,” continued Brooks.
Brooks started hunting rabbits and squirrels at an early age. As he got older, his passion for hunting transformed into chasing bobwhite quail. He now hunts the birds behind his three best hunting buddies – his Brittany and two English setters.
“These passionate students have grown up in a time with lower quail numbers; however, their love of the dogs, guns, and history associated with the sport has encouraged them to raise money to improve habitat and restore the bobwhite,” said Talbott Parten, Quail Forever’s regional representative for Georgia and Florida.
The UGA Quail Forever chapter also nominated Kohler Brafford as treasurer, Doug Moore as banquet chair, and Skeet Ponder as habitat chair. The UGA Quail Forever chapter will host its next meeting on Monday, March 3 at the Brooks household, which is located in Athens, Georgia. The chapter plans to have its first Quail Forever fundraiser banquet at the Dirty Birds Restaurant on April 3 at 7 PM. For more information about the event or to purchase tickets, visit the UGA events page.
The University of Georgia Quail Forever chapter is actively looking for volunteers and sponsors to generate interest in the quail community. For more information on the chapter, contact Jase Brooks at (678) 414-5505 or email Jase. For all other inquiries, please contact Talbott Parten at (229) 289-8199 or email Talbott.
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.
