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I think predation was a big cause in the decrease in quail numbers much like turkey. As we continue to manage our place for turkey I have noticed an increase in quail numbers. We don't have huntable numbers on our place but it's not uncommon to see a few coveys. I'm not saying everything Chamberlain is saying is fact but I find it odd that so many people think a wildlife biologist who specializes in wild turkey management is wrong. [/quote]
To clarify my position, I certainly don't think Chamberlain is "wrong" about the facts he has presented. I just object to him and others presenting a theory as if it is a fact, when they don't have any real evidence. It may indeed be that there are places where gobbler hunting is affecting poult recruitment, but they have no evidence to prove it. When any of them actually present the theory, they use a lot of qualifiers like "could be," and "might be," but then they repeat it so often and change seasons because of it and that makes many just accept it as fact. Yet where is the evidence that places that aren't hunted produce more poults than places that are?
I don't think it's unreasonable for hunters and land managers to want to see real evidence before changing procedures that have worked well for over 50 years.
