Alabama
Population: Alabama quail populations have decreased annually by 3% over the last 5 years. Hunting: no hunting statistics have been collected in Alabama in recent history. Management: Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries (WFF) continues to manage for quail with the following programs: • WFF is continuing longleaf pine restoration on approximately 5,000 acres on Barbour WMA and Fred T. Stimpson Sanctuary. Also, a prescribed burning program is taking place on these two areas to restore grassland habitats. Shortleaf pine restoration continues on 1,850 acres on WFF and Forever Wild lands on Lauderdale and Freedom Hills WMAs. • The WFF Landowner Incentive Program, Longleaf Pine Ecosystem Restoration Initiative, continued with funds received from the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act as well as USFWS partnership funds for projects with private landowners in high priority areas. During the past year, 1,500 acres were restored and a prescribed burning program will be implemented on these projects for the next 30 years. • A survey program was established at Fred T. Stimpson Sanctuary to monitor the effects of longleaf pine restoration on quail and songbird populations. A similar survey program continues to be conducted on Barbour WMA. • Alabama State Parks, in partnership with WFF and Quail Forever, is continuing implementation of a quail habitat demonstration area at Wind Creek State Park. State Quail Coordinator: Carrie Johnson, Wildlife Biologist, carrie.johnson@dcnr.alabama.gov
Arkansas
Population: 2011 statewide bobwhite abundance index was 11% below 2010 index and 43%, 47% and 70% below previous 5-, 10- and 29-year averages, respectively. Hunting: no hunting statistics have been collected in Arkansas in recent history. Management: The agency continues to operate under a statewide quail plan and as a partner with NBCI. Quail management highlights include the following: • Management of approximately 6,000 acres in CP33 Buffers and 5,411.4 quail-friendly acres in CP38E/SAFE Grass. • Continued science-based management with monitoring of quail abundance in all counties and 2 private land focus areas and participation in national CP33 monitoring program • Modification of our Acres for Wildlife program to be a Native Warm-Season Grass program. The program now requires a 5-year commitment. About 11,000 acres are currently enrolled. • Continued outreach via prescribed fire workshops, habitat workshops, and distribution of educational materials. State Quail Coordinator: Clifton Jackson, cjackson@agfc.state.ar.us.
24 • NBCI’s Bobwhite Almanac