Quail Forever

Dedicated to the conservation of quail, pheasants and other wildlife : The Habitat Organization

[Pheasants Forever @pheasants4ever]

Pheasants Forever and @quail4ever join the conservation community in mourning the loss of Federal Wildlife Officer David Taylor, 38, who lost his life while courageously helping others escape the Railroad South Fire in Oklahoma.

Taylor dedicated his life to public service. He previously served on active duty in the U.S. Navy and continued his military service in the Navy Reserve while also serving as a federal wildlife officer with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. At the time of his death, he was a Senior Chief Petty Officer in the Navy Reserve. During his 20 years of naval service, Taylor completed five deployments, including one to Iraq and four to Djibouti, Africa.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Officer Taylor’s family, friends, colleagues at the @USFWS, fellow first responders, and all who had the privilege of serving alongside him.

https://t.co/7edwD3cljP

[Quail Forever @quail4ever]

From the first covey rise of the season to the last - the QF Store has the gear you need.

Shop the store here: https://t.co/n6IX4RBpkp

[Quail Forever @quail4ever]

Quail Fact Friday -

As hunters approach, Mearns quail crouch motionless rather than running like some other quail species. They may allow an approach as close as three feet before taking flight with a loud, popping wing noise. On rare occasions, Mearns quail have even been caught by hand.

~Connor Jaloszynski, QF
Coordinating Wildlife Biologist

[Quail Forever @quail4ever]

Sporting Dog Shorts Fueled by @ProPlan - Feel Like You Have Too Much Dog?

Dogs like this are generally described as "high-powered," "high-drive," or some other variation of "high-." And while these animals can be incredible hunting companions, they can also come with unique challenges. If you've been fortunate enough to find yourself with a high-drive dog, you may on occasion have asked yourself if it was too much dog for you. That's a fair question - dogs like this can sometimes be difficult to work with because they tend to push boundaries and generally be a bit overwhelming. If you can harness the drive, the rewards can be enormous; but getting there can be a challenge.

Read the article by Jordan Horak now at the link below.
https://t.co/3ZzLi9x6JA

[Quail Forever @quail4ever]

Jamie and Jesse Durham never set out to become dedicated quail hunters. Their journey started with a question on a first date and grew into a goal to hunt all six species of quail in the United States. Along the way, they discovered what makes chasing wild birds so addictive: learning habitat, following good dogs, exploring unfamiliar country, and earning every bird.

Listen now at the link below or wherever you get your podcasts.
https://t.co/MXioxGmiei

On the Wing Podcast is proudly fueled by @ProPlan

[Quail Forever @quail4ever]

ICYMI: Earlier this month, @USFWS announced the largest expansion of hunting and fishing access in the agency’s history, adding nearly 1,500 opportunities at 111 wildlife refuges across 32 states. This announcement recognizes the contributions of hunters to America's conservation legacy, advances the mission of wildlife refuges, and ensures future generations can continue our shared outdoor traditions. 

To learn more, check out our earlier update on the proposal that’s now been finalized: https://t.co/tKjP4Chutd

[Quail Forever @quail4ever]

This time on The Conservation Minute, we discuss Ecoregions and their significance in providing practical framework for managing natural resources, protecting wildlife habitats, and guiding sustainable land use based on shared environmental traits like climate, soil, and geology.

If you're interested in learning more about a career in conservation, check out the Journey to Conservation Careers program at the link below.
https://t.co/fdPfHTGRK8

[Quail Forever @quail4ever]

Sometimes good quail hunting starts with a chainsaw.

Woody encroachment from eastern red cedars is a major threat to our grasslands and prairies, choking out native plants and reducing habitat for quail and other upland wildlife. Quail Forever Journal editor Ryan Sparks is working to turn the tide on his family’s southeast Nebraska farm one tree at a time.

“The Upland Life” is presented by @PolarisORV

[Quail Forever @quail4ever]

Quail Fact Friday -

Bobwhite chicks may look tiny, but they grow fast, and they need insects to do it.

In August, broods key in on areas rich with native wildflowers and broadleaf plants that attract grasshoppers, beetles, and other bugs. Those insects provide the protein chicks need to survive. Great brood habitat is all about balance: overhead cover for protection and open ground underneath for movement.

Thick, matted grasses like fescue can slow chicks down and limit food. Diverse native plantings, paired with disturbance like fire or light disking, create the structure broods need to thrive.

~ Ella Hamlin, QF Farm Bill Biologist

[Quail Forever @quail4ever]

It is time. Prairie grouse seasons loom. Reports are a mixed bag. Birds will fly.

Our native prairie grouse – sharp-tailed grouse, prairie chickens and sage grouse – are magnificent creatures, at once delicate and tough.

Delicate because they require habitat specific to their needs.

Tough because they can survive most-all of what nature can throw at them – from arctic cold to desert-like heat, horrible blizzards to rainy springs, powerful summer thunderstorms to freight-train winds, and you can throw drought in there for good measure. They evolved here.

You will find habitat as a recurring theme in PF & QF'S 2026 Prairie Grouse Primer. Weather has its effect. But good habitat solves many ills. The reports are all over the board, which means you pretty much just have to go hunt. Do it.

Read it here: https://t.co/ymlfXqdwj5

The 2026 Prairie Grouse Primer is proudly presented by @garminfishhunt

[Quail Forever @quail4ever]

More grazing land means more opportunity for ranchers and more habitat for wildlife.

That’s why @SenatorRounds and @SenAmyKlobuchar introduced the RANCH Act, which would help producers restore marginal cropland to perennial grazing cover, strengthening working lands, wildlife habitat, and rural communities.

https://t.co/Gb7q1ryEce

[Quail Forever @quail4ever]

What’s happening inside a bird dog’s mind when it locks onto scent? Dr. Annie Valuska of @ProPlan joins the podcast to unpack the science behind canine learning, senses, behavior, and the bond we build with our dogs in the field.

Listen here https://t.co/bM1VKovMYY or wherever you get your podcasts.

On the Wing Podcast is proudly fueled by @ProPlan

[Quail Forever @quail4ever]

Welcome to your new online covey headquarters. Our old website wasn't exactly prime habitat, so our team got to work restoring, enhancing, and creating a digital landscape worthy of the wild birds we love. Go take a look, create an account, and start dreaming of Opening Day.

Explore our new online habitat here: https://t.co/C3RlLCJpWu

[Quail Forever @quail4ever]

Quail Fact Friday -

What's on the menu for mountain quail? It depends on the season.

These birds are true omnivores, feeding on everything from seeds and acorns to berries, flowers, insects, and even fungi. In summer, they focus on protein, loading up on beetles and ants.

Mountain quail are classic foragers, spending their days scratching through leaf litter, picking up what's fallen to the forest floor, and occasionally hopping into shrubs to grab berries.

That's why habitat matters. In places like western Oregon's oak savannas, restoration efforts are helping ensure these birds have the diverse food sources they need year-round.

~Connor Jaloszynski, QF Coordinating
Wildlife Biologist

[Quail Forever @quail4ever]

2026 Shotgun Showcase: Beretta 687 Silver Pigeon III

The newest iteration of the classic Silver Pigeon line, the @Beretta_USA 687 Silver Pigeon III is an attractive over-under. Built on the well-known 680-series receiver platform, the 687 Silver Pigeon III has a sleek and low profile, and is built on a true sub-gauge frame.

The Silver Pigeon III is a soft-shooting shotgun that will be comfortable for extended carry in the field… and also just plain fun for clay targets. It would be an excellent choice for those looking to venture into the world of .410s.

Watch the full review here: https://t.co/IWlX12yd8c

The Shotgun Showcase is proudly sponsored by @SoundGearHear hearing protection and enhancement.

[Quail Forever @quail4ever]

For anyone who has ever watched a bird dog lock onto a point or shared quiet miles across public land, this conversation hits close to home. Singer-songwriter Reese Glover returns to talk about the official release of “Ballad of the Bird Dog,” a song introduced to the bird hunting community during an episode last year.

Reese shares how the song evolved from a simple live recording into a professionally produced studio release while staying true to its stripped-down, storytelling roots. Along the way, he dives into the songwriting process, finding inspiration in pheasant hunting, grouse hunting, and life with his German shorthaired pointer, Bridger. The conversation explores why bird dogs inspire great music, how hunting traditions shape creative work, and why the connection between hunters and their dogs continues to unite the upland community.

You'll also hear some fun pointer vs. flusher banter . . . Listen now at the link or wherever you get your podcasts. https://t.co/mEsGpaNPUt

On the Wing Podcast is proudly fueled by @ProPlan

[Pheasants Forever @pheasants4ever]

2026 Shotgun Showcase: Beretta 687 Silver Pigeon III

The newest iteration of the classic Silver Pigeon line, the @Beretta_USA 687 Silver Pigeon III is an attractive over-under. Built on the well-known 680-series receiver platform, the 687 Silver Pigeon III has a sleek and low profile, and is built on a true sub-gauge frame.

The Silver Pigeon III is a soft-shooting shotgun that will be comfortable for extended carry in the field… and also just plain fun for clay targets. It would be an excellent choice for those looking to venture into the world of .410s.

Watch the full review here: https://t.co/lD4EZeF5Ty

The Shotgun Showcase is proudly sponsored by @SoundGearHear hearing protection and enhancement.

[Quail Forever @quail4ever]

Quail Fact Friday!

Bobwhite quail don't migrate - and their home range is surprisingly small.

Most coveys spend their entire lives within 250 acres or less ... if they have the habitat they need.

That means: One patch of good cover, one hedgerow left standing, one burn done right...can make all the difference.

[Quail Forever @quail4ever]

Discover how great wild game meals become unforgettable when paired with exceptional wine and upland traditions.

Passalacqua Winery winemaker Jessica Boone breaks down two new Quail Forever collaboration wines, a balanced Russian River Valley Chardonnay and a vibrant Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel, explaining how each complements upland birds without overpowering their natural flavor. Listeners will also hear creative wild game recipes, including pulled pheasant barbecue pizza and a French-inspired pheasant ragout served over creamy polenta, along with practical cooking tips for making the most of every bird in the freezer.

Listen now at the link below or wherever you get your podcasts.
https://t.co/mHZMoP5Vgo

On the Wing Podcast is proudly fueled by @ProPlan

[Quail Forever @quail4ever]

Quail Forever 🤝 @getyourwaggleon

This limited edition drop with our friends at Waggle is now live!

Shop the collection here: https://t.co/zMjozehppV