HI all --

Mark writes that DNR knows the story on quail populations --  so perhaps they could share it with the rest of us. What do they think has caused the population crash in Maryland? Is it disease? Changes in agricultural practices? What is the estimated population of quail in each county and what is being done by DNR to promote better habitat for this species? As a biologist I know that sometimes relatively simple changes in habitat management can reap great benefits.

Personally, all I know is that Bobwhite, common in my breeding bird blocks (which were *all* suburban blocks with some old-field parkland and golf courses) in the 1980s atlas, are 100% gone in the most recent effort, when I surveyed the same blocks. Ditto pheasant, which though introduced, did prefer a similar habitat. The habitat itself seems to have changed very little, although there has been a great deal of development in the surrounding radius. Well, actually that's not true -- there has been a huge increase in whitetail deer, thus a loss of forest undergrowth and also, a lot more sepcies of invasive plants. So perhaps the habitat. although still superficially"old field" and "meadow", is no longer useful for many native species.

Gail Mackiernan

-------------- Original message ----------------------
From: "Hoffman, Mark" <>
> Lance-in my capacity as a DNR employee (formerly of the wildlife unit for 20 
> years) I suggest you feel free to contact our upland game bird biologist (Bob 
> Long, ) so you may more fully address your concerns.
> 
> The issues associated with quail populations, habitat, hunting, etc.  are well 
> know to the Department. 
> 
> Thank you.
> Mark Hoffman
> Director, Finance and Administrative Services
> Department of Natural Resources 
> 
>