Residents of Jacksonville recently formed the newest Quail Forever (QF) chapter in Florida, known as the Northeastern Florida Quail Forever chapter. The chapter volunteers plan to focus their attention on habitat throughout northeast Florida with a goal of providing future generations the opportunity to hunt quail throughout the state.
Caleb Risinger was elected as the chapter’s new president. Having grown up hearing stories about quail hunting in South Carolina and Georgia from his grandfather, Risinger became interested in quail hunting at an early age. As his passion grew, Caleb acquired two hunting companions; “Jet,” his three-year-old French Brittany, and “Sassy,” his one-year-old English pointer and English setter mix.
Risinger attended his first QF chapter meeting in central Florida when he was residing in Tampa. Upon relocating to Jacksonville, he was shocked by the absence of a QF chapter in the area. In an effort to further Florida's outdoor traditions, Risinger along with other local outdoor enthusiasts, formed the Northeastern Florida Quail Forever chapter. “We have a great mix of people who are involved with the chapter. There are older gentleman with plenty of knowledge and experience and younger guys who are motivated to tackle habitat projects,” said Risinger.
The chapter recently held their first meeting during which the chapter discussed its goals. “The meeting was important to organizing essential membership around a common vision, growing our chapter for this year, and applying our message to our overarching goal of improving habitat for quail at Jennings State Forest,” Risinger stated. “Additionally, with the presence of the local Forestry Management, I believe we are forging a special relationship from the outset that will help our Quail Forever chapter make a significant difference for local quail habitat going into the future.”
Talbot Parten, Quail Forever’s regional representative in Florida, said, “The Northeastern Florida Quail Forever Chapter has a unique opportunity to partner with Florida's Forestry Service and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to provide additional funding to improve and expand quail habitat on Jennings State Forest- a public hunting area. Quail in Florida need help, and people need a place to experience upland habitat and quail hunting. Raising money for Jennings State Forest is a perfect way to meet both needs.”
The Northeastern Florida has elected Robert Price as treasurer and Michael J. Keller as the youth and education chair. The chapter will host its next meeting April 24 at the Blackfinn Restaurant at 6:30pm. The chapter plans to host two fundraisers to gain funds for their habitat mission, the first which will be held in June. The chapter has tentatively decided to host its annual banquet on October 4.
If you are interested in getting involved with the Northeastern Florida Quail Forever chapter, please contact Caleb Risinger at (540) 809-4434 or by email. For all other inquiries, contact Talbot Parten by (229) 289-8199 or by email.
Pheasants Forever, including its quail conservation division, Quail Forever, is the nation's largest nonprofit organization dedicated to upland habitat conservation. Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever have more than 140,000 members and 745 local chapters across the United States and Canada. Chapters are empowered to determine how 100 percent of their locally raised conservation funds are spent, the only national conservation organization that operates through this truly grassroots structure.
Rehan Nana, Quail Forever's public relations specialist, at (651) 209-4973