Oklahoma: Quail Symposium, Fundraising Banquet Set for Aug. 23

Landowners, conservationists and sportsmen will get the chance to hear the latest information about bobwhite quail as the Central Oklahoma 89er Chapter of Quail Forever presents an Oklahoma Quail Symposium on Aug. 23.
 
The daylong symposium will begin with registration at 9:30 a.m. and close at 2:30 p.m. It will be followed at 5:30 p.m. by the organization's ninth annual fundraising banquet. All events will take place at the Crowne Plaza hotel, near Northwest Expressway at May Avenue in Oklahoma City.
 
Experts from the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation will join others from Oklahoma State University, the National Resource Conservation Service and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to speak on various topics during the symposium.
 
"It's important to preserve our quail hunting traditions for future generations," said Laura McIver, 89er chapter president. "Attending our fundraiser banquet helps all of us to achieve our quail habitat conservation goals and restore our grand heritage for our kids and grandkids."
 
Scheduled symposium topics include:
  • "Quail Mythology," Robert Perez, Texas Parks and Wildlife.
  • "Grants and Monies Available for Better Habitat," Mike Sams, NRCS.
  • "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly: Identifying Native Grasses and Forbs," Scott Cox, upland game senior biologist for the Wildlife Department.
  • "Feathers and Fire: Improving and Managing Quail Habitat with Prescribed Burning," John Weir, OSU.
  • "How the Wildlife Department is Managing WMA Lands to Benefit Quail," Scott Parry, biologist for the Wildlife Department.
  • "Coveys and Cattle: Using Land to Produce Both Beef and Bobwhites," Dwayne Elmore, Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service wildlife specialist.
  • "Update on Quail Research," Matt Carroll, OSU research assistant.
The dinner banquet will feature prizes, auctions and entertainment. Each symposium ticket is $20, which includes lunch. Tickets for the dinner banquet are $60, which includes membership in Quail Forever. Tickets for a spouse or non-member dinner are $30. There is a special price of $70 for those wishing to attend both the symposium and the banquet. Banquet sponsorship opportunities are also available.
 
To register for either event, call (405) 415-5724 or go online at centralokquailforever.org or send email to info@centralokquailforever.org.
 
Anthony Hauck (651) 209-4972 ahauck@quailforever.org