Abstract
Wild quails are one of the most popular objects of pursuit for birdwatchers and hunters in Texas. In many areas of the state, their economic value rivals that of traditional agricultural enterprises such as livestock. Unfortunately, this importance is not realized in the Southern High Plains of Texas. Land-use practices in this region of intensive agricultural activity leave relatively few areas of suitable habitat available for quails. Th ough Farm Bill programs have infl uenced millions of acres in the High Plains, this infl uence has not resulted in increases in quail populations in the region. Description and analysis of the current state of knowledge concerning quails and their management in the Southern High Plains of Texas should help direct the eff orts of parties interested in the maintenance and restoration of quail populations. Th us, the purpose of this chapter is to (1) discuss the present and future state of quail populations and their relationship to land use in the Southern High Plains of Texas, (2) review the quail research literature concerning the region, and (3) describe future research needs.
Original language | English |
---|---|
Title of host publication | Texas quails |
Subtitle of host publication | Ecology and management |
Publisher | Texas A&M University Press |
Pages | 233-247 |
Number of pages | 15 |
ISBN (Print) | 9781585445035 |
State | Published - 2007 |