Biologist Bobwhite Bootcamp Held in Georgia
Another Bobwhite Bootcamp and Working Lands for Wildlife Workshop is in the books. A total of 22 biologists from 10 states travelled to Albany, Georgia’s Merry Acres at the end of December to pack in as much firebird knowledge as possible.
The 12 instructors included seasoned veterans from Quail Forever, Tall Timbers, Georgia Department of Natural Resources (GADNR), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), and the University of Georgia. The Bobwhite Bootcamp structure consisted of morning lectures and afternoon field visits with landowners. Evenings were a time for homework and team building.
After the first morning of lectures the group visited their first landowner of the week, Bo Henry. This wasn’t just any field tour. The group set out on trailers to see the property and observe a horseback quail hunt. The hunt was a first for many participants and a real treat.
“A well-managed pine system for bobwhites can be few and far between and it was inspiring to see a landowner put so much effort into his land management,” said Olivia Lappin, Quail Forever’s IHM Rights of Way & Energy Wildlife Biologist.
Olivia Lappin, Quail Forever’s IHM Rights of Way & Energy Wildlife Biologist, said that “although I have been working with bobwhite for a few years, I had never experienced a place like Bo’s. A well-managed pine system for bobwhites can be few and far between and it was inspiring to see a landowner put so much effort into his land management. Seeing them ride their horses and flush coveys of wild birds makes me wish I had seen bobwhite hunting during its peak. It was a rare sight to see.” After the horses and dogs were retired, biologists set out to discuss management strategies and identify plants.
Wednesday morning was yielded to QF partners, who shared their management knowledge and professional expectations. Most of the biologists work hand-in-hand with NRCS field offices to help plan and implement USDA Farm Bill programs with landowners. The intent of the field trip was to meet with the landowner and start discussing potential scenarios and program possibilities.
A total of 22 biologists from 10 states traveled to Albany, Georgia’s Merry Acres at the end of December to pack in as much firebird knowledge as possible.
The group was challenged with preparing management plans with very little time. Students earned their dinner through management presentations to the group followed by camaraderie around a bonfire. Dr. James Martin from the University of Georgia GAME Lab was an integral part of the planning and instruction at the event. “Bootcamp allows relatively new biologists an opportunity to fuse together classroom training and hands-on field training with their colleagues,” he said.
The training closed out with a fantastic tour of Chickasawatchee Wildlife Management Area by GADNR staff. “Chick,” as it is informally known, is a managed pine savannah and Quail Focal Area. GADNR’s Bryan Crowe and Diana McGrath led the group, focusing on brood field creation and management, prescribed fire, and thinning, among other efforts on the WMA to create more hunting opportunity.
A tractor was on hand to teach the participants about the various implements and differences in tillage methods. Kris Oja, QF Forester from Tennessee, commented that, “As someone who is new to the southeast and managing for bobwhite quail, this training helped me gain a better understanding of the principles of managing on a range of landscapes. It was also extremely beneficial to take all the field tours to actually see examples of those techniques in person.”
Bobwhite Bootcamp consisted of classroom work combined with in the field learning. Biologists built practical skills that will forward bobwhite quail conservation throughout the country.
Overall, the Bobwhite Bootcamp was a huge success and served as a platform for new biologists to seamlessly integrate classroom learning with practical field skills, laying the groundwork for continued success in the realm of bobwhite quail conservation.
Dr. Jessica McGuire, Quail Science and WLFW Frameworks