Dr. Dale on Quail

With Thanksgiving just around the corner, we are thankful for opportunities to help wild quail. We utilize every possible option to restore quails to their former ranges, including the science of translocation, which we have been studying since 2013.

Now, translocation of wild quail is a hot topic nationally, and increasingly so in Texas. To learn more about translocation, this month’s episode of our Dr. Dale on Quail podcast features Becky Ruzicka, a doctoral student at Colorado State University. Becky has been involved with RPQRF since 2011 and recently completed her Ph.D. on translocating wild-trapped scaled ("blue") quail.

Warm weather and opening weekend increase the odds of encountering a rattlesnake while afield. Nothing can ruin a quail hunt like a trip to the vet clinic with a snakebit bird dog. This month’s episode of our Dr. Dale on Quail podcast features an interview with Dr. Bud E. Alldredge, Jr. DVM of Sweetwater. Given his tenure (51 years of practicing) and his location (Sweetwater, long-time home of the world’s largest rattlesnake round-up), Dr. Alldredge has treated hundreds of snakebitten dogs. Click the button below to hear what Dr. Alldredge has learned and what to do if you run into a rattler this season.

With dove season underway, quail hunters are looking ahead on the calendar and wondering: what kind of quail season can we look forward to come November? This month’s episode of our Dr. Dale on Quail podcast answers this question. Join Dr. Dale and Gary Joiner as they discuss Dale’s “quail trap line” of reports from landowners and managers across Texas. Dale also covers our quail hunting forecast and outlook.

This month’s episode of our Dr. Dale on Quail Podcast concludes our exploration of Aldo Leopold’s classic treatise, “Game Management.” Join Dr. Dale and Gary Joiner as they discuss Leopold’s final (and less conventional) “tool” for restoring wildlife populations – the gun. Dale and Gary also share a great conversation with Joe Crafton, President and Co-Founder of Quail Coalition, on the impact of hunters on conservation and the incredible work by QC to save wild quail over the last 14 years.

This month’s episode of our Dr. Dale on Quail Podcast continues our exploration of Aldo Leopold’s classic treatise, “Game Management.” Join Dr. Dale and Gary Joiner as they discuss using cattle as a “tool” to impact plant succession and enhance your quail habitat. Dale and Gary also cover the use of a more traditional tool – the plow – to create quail-friendly landscapes.

As we ease into summer, fingers crossed and prayers for rain and a great quail season, our next three podcast episodes will focus on how we can maximize our quail habitat over the long-term. Dr. Dale and Gary Joiner will dive deep into the teachings of Aldo Leopold through his timeless book, “Game Management,” and discuss its relevance for enhancing quail habitat.

In this month’s episode, Dale and Gary focus on two of Leopold’s key “tools” for habitat work: the ax (brush management) and the plow (soil disturbance). Click the button below to learn about the importance of knowing your plants, how to manipulate them and how these tools impact plant succession and help our quail.

f you’re out in quail country these days, you should be hearing the sweet sounds of bobwhites looking for love. Those calls are music to quail hunters’ ears, which raises the question: other than the calls of the quails themselves, what are the top tunes for quail? Join Dr. Dale and Gary Joiner as they discuss the “national anthem” for quail, the soundtrack of quail management and why particular songs (hint: lots of classic rock) resonate with quail hunters. Dale also covers his recommendations for managing quail habitat and the importance of knowing your plant species.

These days, we can’t help but think about our health and the dangers presented by the new coronavirus impacting folks in every corner of the planet. We can’t see this threat, but we know it’s out there. Well, our quails can relate. They face numerous threats, including parasites they can’t see, either.

This month’s episode of our Dr. Dale on Quail podcast covers what we know about parasites and quail. Join Dr. Dale and Gary Joiner as they discuss the types of parasites affecting quail, the impact of parasites on quail health, geographic considerations and the measures being taken to help our quails with their parasite problems. Click the button below to listen.

As we transition from winter to spring, quail hunters are reflecting on this past season and wondering what’s ahead. How loudly (and how often) will we hear the familiar calls of bobwhites in April/May? Do we have enough brood stock? What needs to happen to make 2020-2021 a “boom” season like 2016? This month’s episode of our Dr. Dale on Quail podcast tackles these topics and more. Join Dr. Dale and Gary Joiner as they discuss the status of Texas quail populations, spring call counts and what we can collectively do as land managers to positively influence quail numbers. Click the button below to listen.

It may still be winter, but summer will be here before we know it, so this month’s episode of our podcast is all about the famed Bobwhite Brigade summer camp. Join Dr. Dale and Gary Joiner as they discuss the Bobwhite Brigade’s history of turning motivated student “cadets” into passionate conservationists and how it became the template for other wildlife conservation camps across the country. Dr. Dale also covers the components of the program, skillsets taught, the application process for cadets, as well as opportunities for adults to serve as “Covey Leaders” and volunteers. Click the button below to learn about the Bobwhite Brigade.