New Quail Forever Chapter: Metro Quail Forever!

[thunderpout]

There is a new Quail Forever chapter in MN,  Metro Quail Forever!  A handful of guys showed up at Wally McCarthys in Roseville the other night to discuss starting a twin cities chapter for Quail Forever.... a fairly new organization that was founded in August of 2005.  Its a division of Pheasants Forever.  It was brought to our attention that Pheasants Forever/Quail Forever wanted to start a chapter north of Minnesotas only other chapter in southeast MN.  We all got pretty exited to learn that PF was backing this and directors of the Caledonia Chapter were there to lend a big hand to get things started.  A President and a Treasurer volunteered their services and we were off!  There are fifty or so current QF members in the general area, and we will be focusing on increasing that number and getting them and others on board with our Metro Chapter very soon!  There will be a upcoming press release and more info coming soon... You can learn more about Quail Forever on their site: www.quail forever.org .... PF/QF are the ONLY national conservation organizations where 100% of net funds raised by local chapters stays with those chapters!  If anyone is interested in joining our chapter, joining QF or if you have any questions... PM me or let me know here, Id be more than happy to help you.  We need your help, and need some people who would be interested in helping the Bobwhite Quail get a better foothold in our state by improving their habitat and educating people about it!  We will be having another meeting in a month... let me know if your interested!   

[Fawkinnae]

Hi Thunderpout (if that's your real name)
Hey I was just curious how they handle the weather up here? I always thought the north end of their range was southern Iowa? Just curious. Thanks.

[thunderpout]

Hey Doug!  Its Greg... I missed ya at the poutfest!  good question... The range used to be a larger portion of southern MN,  There is currently Bobwhite quail in SE MN... I believe a count of a few thousand birds... the problem is lack of nesting habitat and the amount of needed habitat and the correct type....  I have heard quail in past years while turkey hunting down in that bluff area of MN, Houston, Rushford, MoneyCreek, Beaver Creek etc. Very beautiful part of the state, and very unlike the rest of the state... I believe the only area untouched by the glaciers in the ice age... and the perfect place for Quail to make a comeback... same place the wild turkeys made their comeback... & hopefully the Bobwhite will do much the same!

[Fawkinnae]

Hey Doug!  Its Greg... I missed ya at the poutfest!  good question... The range used to be a larger portion of southern MN,  There is currently Bobwhite quail in SE MN... I believe a count of a few thousand birds... the problem is lack of nesting habitat and the amount of needed habitat and the correct type....  I have heard quail in past years while turkey hunting down in that bluff area of MN, Houston, Rushford, MoneyCreek, Beaver Creek etc. Very beautiful part of the state, and very unlike the rest of the state... I believe the only area untouched by the glaciers in the ice age... and the perfect place for Quail to make a comeback... same place the wild turkeys made their comeback... & hopefully the Bobwhite will do much the same!

Greg how are you doing?! Yeah how did I miss you up there? Oh I know.

Thanks for the feedback. I did not realize there were bobwhite in Minnesota. I think the only time I ever saw them was pheasant hunting in Iowa. What kind of habitat do they like? Similar to pheasants? Or a little more woody shrubby?

Well good luck with this. It sounds ambitious.

[thunderpout]

Doin well doug...  yep, you know the Poutfest well!   Bobwhites  kind of like the transition stuff between the heavy wooded areas and the tilled wide open feilds... they like cover from airborn predators, so yeah, kind of the scrub/shrub and lower cover type stuff, and from what Ive read, prescribed burns are the best way to controll over-growth and to release seeds and start new young growth... kind of like they do with Sharptail grouse.  Its kind of interesting how quail, grouse and the like thrive on regenerated/new growth, almost like humans help them out that in some ways... but with the decline of forresting and controlled fires being underutilized and both being looked at negative and as "taboo",  that take on things also is hurting populations of those upland birds.... There hasnt been quail hunting in MN since 1958 I believe, so this is good just to get people aware of the fact that we have quail here, and with some work they can come back to the point where someday in the near future, there will be a quail hunting season in MN again....

[thunderpout]

There's another meeting for our newly formed Metro Quail Forever chapter on Thursday April 2nd, 7pm, again at Wally McCarthy GM in Roseville.. off Fairview across from the mall on Prior and a service road there....We need lots of help, so if ya want to join our team, or just check things out anyone's welcome!   Also, If youre hitting the Sportsmans show, Inquire about the new Metro Quail Forever chapter at the Pheasants Forever booth there... this is in the early stages, but they should have some info there also....

[thunderpout]

Hey... just a reminder that there's a meeting coming up for the Metro Quail Forever chapter on Thursday April 2nd.... We need the help and support of anyone who's interested in helping the Bobwhite Quail making a comeback in Minnesota... I know theres gotta be some MNO folks out there who can help with this good cause and help our new chapter to get off the ground!  Anyone interested in helping or if ya have any questions let me know here or shoot me a pm...  THANX!

[thunderpout]

  Just a reminder..... QF meeting this Thursday 7pm, Wally McCarthys GM in Roseville... come & check things out, help us get our new chapter off & flying! (pun intended...) We can use lots o' help... any questions?  Need a ride?  pm me.......

[thunderpout]

Had a great 2nd meeting Thursday eve... gained two more QF members so we have a great little group of people on board all with the same goals... may have to move out of Wally McCarthy's soon and into a bigger place.... we're planning a banquet probably in September, and we'll have a booth at the Game Fair this summer, and we even have a bank account with some money put in there by Pheasants/Quail Forever now,  so were moving right along... pretty cool!  Next meeting is May 7th I believe.... Yeah, we could use some more people interested in helping Bobwhite Quail make a comeback in southern MN, so let me know if anyones interested... ya dont need to be a hunter, our president is a conservationist that has the same goals as us... bringing back the bobwhite... as the bald eagle was brought back.  Its all good!

[Dotch]

That's fantastic thunderpout! There were some bobwhite quail around when I was a lad growing up in SE MN near Spring Valley. Unfortunately, the change in agriculture since those days has not been kind to their numbers. Where I live now in SC MN, we occasionally run into some. In both '06 & '07, there were some in our neighborhood. Last year however, we did not hear or see them. Not sure if these are released birds or where they came from but they are sure fun to see.

[thunderpout]

Yep, Dotch, you're exactly right.... mother nature with the wicked weather always has a part in the survival of the bird populations whatever and wherever they are.... BUT it is the farming practices of today that has really done in the Bobwhite.... the herbecides taking out the benificial plants/foods that they need... the lack of transition areas/buffer zones for cover and the like.  The bad thing is... the problem isnt just here in MN....Bobwhite quail populations throughout the nation have the same issues... There are some new programs simalar to the old CRP (I believe one is cp-33) to help farmers to be able to afford to leave some buffer zones and to plant the beneficial plants quail need for food.... Yeah, Spring Valley's right in that area down there where the Bobwhite still is hanging on, Houston, Caledonia etc. .... QF has like 150 people/lanowners/farmers in their chapter down there and our guys up here are going to see if we can help em out.....

[Dotch]

It has been sad to see the change in agriculture in SE MN, transitioning from the more diverse cropping systems I grew up with to the larger row crop monocultures. Fencelines and small livestock operations have become more rare in that neck of the woods. As you say it isn't just there either. In August when we do the Pro Farmer Crop Tour, not only does the agriculture show signs of change, the amount of land in places like Ohio that were farmland 5 years ago now covered over with asphalt and concrete is stunning. We've had to re-draw some of the routes because there simply is no crop land in some of those areas anymore. Probably not very good bobwhite habitat either.

What kind of cost is involved with joining Quail Forever? Am already a PF member so how do they work that?

[thunderpout]

QF is a division of PF, memberships are separate, a basic QF membership is $30 with different catagories... like PF,  the money made by chapters stays in those chapters to be used for their own projects, instead of donations/money made here going to some program in lets say, Texas or somewhere... which is a great idea I think.  How membership money is put into what chapter Im not clear on(Ill look into this and get back to ya)  but I know the dollars made at banquets and membership drives at sportshows etc. stay with the area chapters.... Yeah, down there (SE MN) it seems like either youre a large border to border row crop operation or a small hobby farm like set up, with not many farms in between...  I do know a few farmers in Houston Co. down there with 1500 plus acres that have converted pretty large areas of their fields to praire/scrub for wildlife...(Deer, turkeys, quail etc.) and make some money letting hunters hunt their land... But they are definatly the minority.  But yeah, thats pretty much the mission for QF to educate and enable farmers and lanowners to improve habitat areas for the Bobwhite down there...

[thunderpout]

Another meeting tonite for QF.... same place, same time... (7pm, WallyMcCarthy's,Roseville) We need help from interested folks that would like to see the Bobwhite Quail make a comeback in MN!   Dotch... We could use you and your knowledge, you should hit a meeting sometime!

[thunderpout]

Had a great meeting, accomplished quite a bit... Bob LaPeire (?) from Pheasents Forever/KFAN Outdoors Radio was there giving support and Ideas, and was very apreciative of what we're doing... We cemented a date for our first banquet, which will be the 2nd Thursday in September... and also discussed who will be manning the booth at the Game Fair this summer....  We really can use some help with the banquet to help raise some money to help bring back the bobwhite.  We are looking for a good place (and a good deal ) to hold the banquet at that will hold 150-200 people... anyone have ideas or an "in" on such a place?  I'll have the date and time for the next meeting soon here... again, any help will be very appreciated!

[thunderpout]

Another QF meeting tomorrow (Tues) 7pm, same place, Wally McCarthy's GM/Hummer in Roseville...  We could really use some people interested in helping the Bobwhite Quail make a comeback in SE MN!!!  If anyone is interested or has any questions, please PM me... we can use your help!  Thax!

[thunderpout]

We had another great meeting at Wally McCarthys GM, and it was our last meeting held there as we decided we needed a larger venue with maybe a bit more atmosphere.  Id like to thank the guys there for their generosity for lending their meeting room there for the last few months!   The meetings will now be at Joe Sensors Bar & Grill in Roseville off 35W... We figured we may get more folks to hit some meetings if its at a place where you can get somthing to eat, have a beer and we wont have to rush things to be done right at 9pm all of the time.  We decided to move our first banquet to early spring as we were running out of time if it was to be in early September and we were going to do it right and not cut any corners.  We also have the Game Fair comming up quick and we need to get our ducks in a row for that.... We also came up with a mission statement for our chapter to be used on flyers, T-shirts etc:  BRING BACK BOB!  Metro Quail Forever's Goal: Re-establish the native Bobwhite Quail to its historic range in Minnesota...  Our Mission: To ensure the Quails continuing success by improving habitat, building awareness, and engaging youth in outdoor activities....  (sounds good, eh?)  I will have the date of our first meeting at Joe Sensors soon,  I hope to see some MNO folks there!

[thunderpout]

The next Metro Quail Forever meeting will be Tuesday, June 30, 7pm at Joe Sensers in Roseville, 2350 Cleveland Ave, just off 35W... The next meeting after that is July30th, also at Joe Sensers...  Hope to see some of you MNO folks there, we (and the Bobwhite Quail ) can really use some help!  Let me know if you have any comments...

[thunderpout]

Hey... If anyone from MNO makes it to our QF meeting this Tuesday, I'll get em a tapper of their choice!   (that is if they're of legal age, and Im limiting this offer to a half dozen or so MNO regs... You know what happens when the ole FREE BEER sign appears... )  I did see MN74cowboy's name on our e-mail list!  It'd be really nice to get a few of us MNO people there!

[thunderpout]

Its time for another Metro QF Chapter meeting at Joe Sensers in Roseville!  7pm Thursday July 30th.... and my previous offer still goes....   Its the last meeting before the Game Fair, we need help!  Hit Sensers Thursday nite and help us help the Bobwhite Quail in MN!!!

[thunderpout]

There's a change in venue for the Metro QF Chapter meetings... for now, they will be at Broadway Pizza on West River Road & Broadway in Mpls. (2025 W River Rd) We're searching for regular place to hold meetings that is nice, not too loud and where they dont kick you out at 9pm!(Gander Mtn, auto dealership etc...) Joe Sensers was just too rowdy and loud to have a meeting at... So, its the same date and time for our next meeting, 7pm Thursday July 30th, but now it's at Broadway Pizza...   We could definatly use some help at the Game Fair!  If we have enough passes, you could get in free there to boot, and free parking... which is good... Hpe to see ya at Broadway Pizza on Thursday!

[thunderpout]

Our Metro Quail Forever Chapter is going to be at the Game fair!... We'll be in the Pheasants Forever tent.  Stop by and say hello and get some info on QF, maybe sign up and or join our chapter... but stop in and say hi... I'll be putting my time in both Saturdays, the first half of the day, possibly more... hope to see a bunch of you MNO folks there!  Bring me a cold frosty one with ya if it ends up being 90 out like it usually is.  If it aint to warm out I'll have my partner in crime with me, Drummer the wonder dog... he doest get cold frosty ones though, he's in training.

[thunderpout]

Had a good time at the first weekend of the Game Fair... considering we were nearly cooked by the bombardment of lightning Saturday morning... then pretty much cooked, or should I say steamed when the temps rose up as did the humidity... typical Game Fair weather I guess... we are in the National Pheasants Forever tent(not the anoka chapter tent near the entrance) on PF hill by the dog event stuff near the lake... Kind of an interesting note... seemed about half the folks when asked if they'd like some info on Quail Forever, would reply:  "I dont hunt Quail..."  which is a bit perplexing to me.  First of all there arent enough Bobwhite Quail in Mn to have a hunting season right now, which is exactly the reason why one should join QF, to help get the numbers to the level where we can have a season one day...   My question is, if you join Pheasants Forever, or The Ruffed Grouse Society or other similar conservation organizations, is it because you hunt those birds or is it to help improve habitat and other things that will benefit them?  Is it just a "club" to get together at the banquets to win things and to get a decal on your trucks window so you can let everyone know that you are a hunter?  I wonder how many of us join up just to get a quarterly magazine and a cool decal to slap on our vehicles... which is ok I guess, because when doing that we still are getting some needed funds to help out these good causes, but in my eyes it should be more than this.  In fact, our Metro QF chapter's  president and treasurer are not even hunters!  They are just conservationists/landowners/folks that want to help out a creature that needs some help to flourish where they have in the past... I wasnt sure if this was a great Idea when first milling over getting involved in QF, but the more I thought about it, the more I liked the idea that some of the guys getting our chapter going were in it purely for the purpose of bringing the Bobwhite Quail to its original areas they once prospered in our state.  Kind of a no-brainer to me really... Dont get me wrong here,  We do have a goal of having a Quail hunting season here in MN by 2014, and I think it would be awesome to hunt Quail some day in the future in our state... but is that all that is about?  Whats your take on this?  I guess I was taken aback by that response of "I dont hunt Quail"... it just seems so close minded and seems like you are cutting the rope really short, if the ONLY reason to join a organization like these is because you hunt a certian species, and for no other reason.   The great thing is for every person that gave that response, there was another person or two that was really surprised that there are Bobwhites in MN, and that there are people doing things to see that there will be more of them in the future, and things they can do to help out as well.  All in all I guess my Question is, Why do we join these organizations, or should I say what is the intent when we do join them?

[thunderpout]

I'll be at the Game Fair again on Saturday, so Im gonna take a poll...   The weather looks alot nicer than last weekend, or at least drier... Stop in to the National PF/QF tent over by the dog event area by the lake to get some QF info and say Hi!

[thunderpout]

The Metro QF chapter is having its next meeting this Thursday, August the 20th, at Broadway Pizza at 7pm.  Its on University and Broadway overlooking the river... Time to start planning our first banquet that will be this winter/spring!  We need lots of help!  It'd be great to get some MNO folks there!

[thunderpout]

Oh yeah... I forgot to mention, FREE PIZZA!

[thunderpout]

Yep.... time for another QF meeting!  7pm tonite at Broadway pizza, W River road and Broadway.... and again,,,, FREE PIZZA!   We're working on getting somthing going with the DNR on a release of some wild northern Bobwhite Quail in a few spots in MN.... AND our banquet comming in spring! Anyone is welcome, hope to see you there tonight!

[thunderpout]

Metro QF meeting tonite same place, same time....same great FREE Broadway Pizza!(Out of our pockets, not paid for by QF/PF, just so you know! )  We're gearing up for our first banquet in early February.... If anyone has something to donate or has any good ideas for raffle prizes, door prizes let me know!  (guided ice fishing outing, gift certificates etc) We need all the help we can get... we're a very small chapter with a big plan... getting the Bobwhite back to where they once were in MN.... Getting quite a few sightings in SE MN & in a few more areas than last year!  We definatly need some help at the banquet... Any questions PM me... Thanks everyone!

[Fawkinnae]

I would be willing to donate some elegant Faw-kinn-ae products.

[thunderpout]

Thats great Doug!  I'll wear one of my Faw-kinn-ae shirts to our next meeting... I mentioned your line to a few of the QF/PF guys a while back, and they thought it was pretty cool and amusing... maybe some kind of "Metro QF BRING BACK BOB Team Faw-kinn-ae" shirts in the future...  But yeah, that would be awesome Doug!  Let me know whats good for you to catch up with you,  Id like to purchase a cap/hat from you to add to my Faw-kinn-ae wardrobe... Thanks again, Doug!