Lacey Quail

[RednekF350]

Interesting.
http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/n...2e123c10b.html

[Hewey]

It is nice they are going to try this but I do not think they will be able to have a sustainable population of quail, Some may survive but you will most likley never see large coveys of them.

Chris

[manumuskin]

I asked a hunter the other day what have happened to the quail lately?I heard one two years ago and hadn't heard one for fifteen years before that.He claims the cpyptes are killing them off because their ground nesters.what say you to this?
Al
He also claims the state brought in the coyotesr to cut down deer populaion,i alwas thought they drifted in naturall?what say you?

[46er]

I asked a hunter the other day what have happened to the quail lately?I heard one two years ago and hadn't heard one for fifteen years before that.He claims the cpyptes are killing them off because their ground nesters.what say you to this?
Al
He also claims the state brought in the coyotesr to cut down deer populaion,i alwas thought they drifted in naturall?what say you?

Bobwhites have been in decline through out their normal range, NJ is no different. Most that have researched the reason attribute it too habitat loss. Here we also have a very large number of feral cats in the woods that probably add to the problem. Yotes probably munch on them as well, but I don't believe they are the main cause.

A PP presentation on the problem;

http://seqsg.qu.org/seqsg/nbci/prese...iles/frame.htm

As far as the Lacey project, they stand a good chance of establishing a small population if they use wild birds. I have some birds that may have stuck around since the time I was releasing them for training my dogs, but they also may have come in on their own.

[PINEY MIKE]

I still hear bobwhites around springtime in Bamber about the same time the Whipporwills are calling, but Im sure there used to be more. I used to hear them even in Brick when I was younger, but that changed over time. The quail they stock in Greenwood WMA definately have a small reproducing population. I hunt there Oct-Jan and walk the pup there the rest of the year and have come across young offspring a couple times in the offseason. Coyotes and birds of prey definately dwindle the numbers in Greenwood. I came across a covey this year and watched a hawk pick one off right in front of me. I also hear the coyotes in the area at dusk when heading back to the truck. I think its great what they're doing over at the old game farm. Its directly off rt 9 and secluded from the rest of the pines, so coyotes will be a non-issue. Im interested in hearing how it pans out. When the old game farm was still in action, you could find pheasant in the pines even outside the WMAs. Guess those guys were stocking happy. It'd be really tough, but lets route for a comeback in the area.
Go Quail..

[46er]

The pheasant farm was a pretty corrupt place. A lot of birds meant for public stocking didn't wind up that way It was fun to drive thru, the kids got a big kick out of seeing so many in one place. If there's free food there, the yotes will find it.

The hatching buildings;

[PINEY MIKE]

If there's free food there, the yotes will find it.

They'll have to cross the parkway then rt. 9 first, as well as make it through some neighborhoods. I'd be more concerned about hawks, osprey, and maybe owls.

[Hewey]

I think raptors and feral cats will be the biggest issue in that area.

Chris

[46er]

I think raptors and feral cats will be the biggest issue in that area.

Chris

Especially if they manage much of the land for the raptors

"Atzert said much of the property will be dedicated to forest-interior nesting birds, such as red-shouldered hawks, barred owls...."

I used to hunt pheasant on NAES when their club had a public lottery. It was eye opening how many pheasant were taken by Owls overnight.

[46er]

I took the short ride down to the Forked River Game Farm in hopes of getting some pix before it was all gone. Well, the demolition crews are at work and it's almost all gone already. The place in the picture I posted is half gone and was in the process of becoming all gone. Tandem dump trucks leaving with all the remains. The workers didn't say anything, but I got the impression they didn't want me around, so I left. I'll try tomorrow, I doubt they'll be working on Sunday, but with a govt contract, who knows.

[Hewey]

In the 24 years I have lived in that general area of Ocean County I have never been on the game farm. Are are allowed to be back there?

Chris

[46er]

In the 24 years I have lived in that genaral area of Ocean County I have never been on the game farm. Are are allowed to be back there?

Chris

Yes you are, to a point where any NWR signs state that it is a closed area or the gate is locked. I was there about 11am, at the rate the demo guys were going, they just might get done today. The Pheasant pens toward the front are mostly standing. I found a copy of the Forsythe comprehensive management plan on their web site. Forsythe must have received some Fed money, there is a lot of work they have planned refuge wide.