WHEREAS, the population of quail in Louisiana has declined precipitously in recent decades to the point of extirpation in many parts of its historic range within the state; and
WHEREAS, the Louisiana Wildlife Federation supports efforts to arrest and, to the extent possible, reverse this population decline and has urged the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries to complete a quail recovery plan including the designation of “quail focus areas” where prospects are good for a reversal of the trend in quail population; and
WHEREAS, the National Bobwhite Conservation Initiative has designated certain longleaf pine habitat areas in west central Louisiana as having good potential for quail recovery; and
WHEREAS, within the longleaf pine habitat areas there is a large amount of public land held by the U.S. Forest Service, Department of Defense, and the State of Louisiana; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Defense is currently in the process of adding about 40,000 acres to its holdings in the vicinity of the Ft. Polk Army Installation.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Louisiana Wildlife Federation urges the Kisatchie National Forest, the Fort Polk Army Installation, and the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries to make quail recovery a top priority on their landholdings in longleaf pine habitat areas.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that each agency designate within its landholdings smaller “focus areas” for intensive quail management practices to include open pine forest management and regular prescribed burns, and that the agencies maintain data on quail numbers/coveys/
harvest with the goal of sharing and expanding successful practices.
Adopted by the Louisiana Wildlife Federation Board of Directors at their meeting on August 24, 2013 in Mansura, Louisiana.
The Louisiana Wildlife Federation is a statewide conservation education and advocacy organization with more than 8,500 members and 25 affiliate groups. Established in 1940, it is affiliated with the National Wildlife Federation and represents a broad constituency of conservationists including hunters, fishers, campers, birders, boaters, and other outdoor enthusiasts.