|  07/30/2018

Summer Quail Report: Florida


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By Chad Love - Editor, Quail Forever

Weather 
“As usual with Florida, the weather has been a mixed bag,” reports Greg Hagan, quail biologist with the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission. “South Florida and areas in the panhandle have received periods of significant moisture which may have impacted the early nesting season. The remaining parts of the state have received adequate moisture creating favorable conditions going into the breeding season.”

Habitat
“In general, nesting and brood habitat is in good condition across the majority of the state,” says Hagan. “These factors combined with quality habitat management like frequent prescribed fire, roller chopping, hardwood reduction, etc., should result in good chick survival barring any impacts from tropical systems.”  
 
Programs 
“The Florida/Georgia Quail Coalition, which is a cooperative partnership with Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Georgia Wildlife Resource Division, Quail Forever, and Tall Timbers Research Station, continues to support increased bobwhite management on public land focal areas,” says Hagan.  
 
Prospects 
“Overall, properties implementing sound habitat management should have good bird numbers and be well positioned going into the hunting season,” Hagan says. “However, areas in south Florida and the panhandle will benefit from a strong late hatch.”