We often speak of “Leopold’s toolbox” and speak often of “axe, plow, cow, and fire,” and how these tools are the basis of our attempts at habitat management. But we should be reminded that these tools are not “one size fits all” and as managers we seek to use them as adjustable (ala “Crescent” wrenches) given various environmental constraints (e.g., rainfall). Join Dr. Dale and his guest Jesse Wood as they discuss the management of scaled (“blue”) quail in the Permian Basin region of west Texas and how we adjust Leopold’s tools for a desert habitat. Wood is the Director of Ecology and Sustainable Development for the Permian Basin and works for ConocoPhillips. He’s also a graduate of QuailMasters (class of 2017) and an avid quail hunter.

This month’s guests are brothers Ty and Marc Bartoskewitz. Both are well-grounded in quail management in TX and currently manage ranches in Stephens and Shackelford counties, respectively. Given their interest, acumen, and budgets, I often refer to them as the “Great (Bob)White Hopes” for the eastern Rolling Plains. Join us on March 20 on how they approach various habitat concerns, and what they see as catalysts for the return of the bobwhite to their former haunts.

This month’s guest is Dr. Abe Woodard with the East Foundation. Our topic is a “Quail 303” discussion of “sustained yield” of bobwhites in South Texas. We’ll discuss topics along the “hunter X covey interface” including hunting efficiency and crippling loss. Join us on February 20.

This month’s guest is Tyler Sladen of Albuquerque, NM. Tyler is a serious falconer who specializes in hunting quail with his Tiercel goshawk “Jimmy Dean.” Tag along with Tyler and Dr. Dale as they discuss the sport of falconry, and specifically hunting the quails of North America with raptors and bird dogs. Sladen, Jimmy Dean, and his corps of Setters have combined to take over 100 quail across nine states in 2023. As a Student of Quail, you can learn a lot from seeing how quail react when pursued by a hawk, and what kind of “storm shelters” serve to foil a hawk’s attempts. Join us on January 20; you’re going to enjoy this one.

One of the patterns I’ve noticed over the years is that ranchers with bird dogs are more often astute quail managers. No secret really, they ascribe to what I call “vocation and avocation.” Join us this month as I talk “cows and quail” with Charley Christensen of San Angelo. With bona fides in quail, cattle, and range management Christensen is well qualified to discuss trade-offs between cows and quail, and “where’s the beef?”

Perhaps you’ve never noticed a key herbivore that may be impacting your quail habitat. They’re desert termites, and odds are, there are millions beneath your feet . . . literally! Let’s just say they’re the “graziers down below.” Join me this month as my former colleague Dr. Darrell Ueckert and I get down and dirty on these arthropods. Ueckert, a rangeland entomologist and Professor Emeritus with TAMU, spent years studying these voracious insects. Join us Nov 20 for this trip to the rhizosphere.

I've met some interesting characters as I’ve traveled over west Texas for the past 40 years, but none more interesting than this month’s guest: Bob Richardson of Aspermont, aka “Barefoot Bob.” I usually refer to Bob as “the closest thing Texas has to Crocodile Dundee.” You won’t want to miss this opportunity to hear of Barefoot’s accomplishments and acumen. In addition to being an authority on feral hogs, rattlesnakes, and porcupines he’s also been guiding quail hunters since he was 8 years old. Join us on October 20.

Predator control is always a contentious topic. Dr. Dale’s guest this month is Mr. John Palarski with Tall Timbers Research Station. Join us as we delve into the “second line of defense” for dealing with predators, i.e., “beyond habitat.” Palarski recently completed his M.S. research at Tarleton State University and confronted predator control “up close and personal” at his study site in Erath County. Their conversation drills down on control techniques. Join us September` 20.

There’s a new sheriff in town! Join Dr. Dale this month with his guest Dr. Ryan O’Shaughnessy. Ryan took over as Executive Director this past May and has been busy as a brooding bobwhite hen since that time. He will discuss his passion for quail and quail hunting and speak to what’s on the horizon for the Foundation. And you'll discover some skills that he possesses that will set him apart from most quail hunters in Texas (aside from his accent!).

Join Dr. Dale this month with his guest Horace Gore. Gore is a familiar name in Texas wildlife management circles. While many folks know him from his tenure as White-tailed Deer Program Leader for TPWD in the 1990s, or for his service as editor of the Journal of Texas Trophy Hunters Magazine for the past 15 years, his initial entrée into wildlife management was focused on bobwhites! And his adolescence carrying a Model 12 shotgun fueled many observations and stories. You won’t want to miss this one! Available July 20

Join Dr. Dale and his guest Brian Hays as they discuss the why’s and wherefore’s of establishing Native Warm Season Grasses. These grasses can be used to enhance nesting cover. Hays is a consultant for Bamert Seed Company and helps landowners across several states.