BOBWHITES COULD RETURN TO THE MOUNTAIN STATE

(06/04/2023)
The state Division of Natural Resources is beginning a project to bring back bobwhite quail back into the Mountain State.

The DNR's project will last over a five-year period to enhance a habitat that will sustain the birds, according to a news release.

In Calhoun County, you could hear their impressive call wandering down a country road.

The project is being done at the Tomblin Wildlife Management Area in Logan County, and the DNR is working with the Texas Parks and Wildlife agency.

Up until about 50 years ago, there was more bobwhite than you can count, their call could be heard along every roadway.

When local farmers quit having corn patches, they disappeared.

Last week, 48 birds were captured in Texas and then released at the habitat in Logan County. Transmitters were placed on some of the quail to monitor what happens.

The winters of 1977, 1978 and 1979 devastated the bobwhite quail in West Virginia, the release said, although they left Calhoun years ago.

There's no question we've lost favorable habitat to quail over the last several decades, however, there is still a significant amount of habitat for quail to flourish by starting this reintroduction program, Justice said in the release. Over the next few years, we're going to work so that our folks can once again hear that familiar bobwhite whistle.