Arkansas joins states to bring back quail

By Arkansas Game and Fish Commission

Arkansans may remember the familiar whoosh of northern bobwhite coveys flushed from fields. That experience is driving some, including Fred Brown, to restore quail across the state so younger generations can feel the thrill.

Brown's view from his Corning home in the northeast corner of the state illustrates the quail's demise.

"I can look out and I can't see the fence on the far end, it seems like it goes on forever," said Brown, who is chairman of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission panel of commissioners. Where once were small farms separated by weedy fence rows -- and maybe an untended plot with overgrowth -- is a precision-leveled field.

Not exactly perfect quail habitat, which greatly diminished during the latter half of the 20th Century. Ninety percent of Arkansas is privately owned and certainly won't be returning to the small farms and land use that dominated before the 1970s, Jim Harris points out in "The Quest for Quail" in the March-April issue of Arkansas Wildlife magazine.

Several neighboring states have shown that quail habitat can be restored.

In 2002, the National Bobwhite Conservation Initiative began, unifying 25 state fish and wildlife agencies to restore quail habitat and wild populations of the bird.

"Our division made it a priority to ramp up our quail restoration effort in line with the initiative," said Brad Carner, chief of the Game and Fish wildlife management division. "What I'd say is different now from then: It was simply a wildlife division priority, and it became difficult as the years passed for us to maintain the emphasis that it needed, both from a manpower and a funding standpoint."

Hemingway-Pfeiffer Museum to host quail hunt, dinner

The author Ernest Hemingway was a regular visitor of his in-laws, the Pfeiffers of Piggott, while he was married to their daughter Pauline.

One of his favorite pastimes during those trips to Northeast Arkansas was hunting quail on Crowley’s Ridge.

On Saturday, March 4, the Hemingway-Pfeiffer Museum will celebrate the author’s legacy with a bird hunt and dinner.

The hunt will begin at 8:30 a.m. at Liberty Hill Outfitters in Rector. Hunters will enjoy a half-day of continental-style bird hunting, followed by a quail dinner. The museum will offer free tours following the dinner.

The cost of the package is $500. Reservations can be made by contacting the museum at 870-598-3487 or HPMEC Director Dr. Adam Long at adamlong@AState.edu.

First National Bank-Piggott, Glaub Farm Management, Olympus Construction, and Piggott State Bank are sponsoring the event.

HIRING BIOLOGIST PROGRAM SPECIALIST (Quail Program Coordinator): Arkansas

Agency
Arkansas Game & Fish Commission
Location
Negotiable
Job Category
Full time Positions
Website
http://www.arstatejobs.com/
Salary
$43,217 annually
Last Date to Apply
October 3, 2016
Description
AGFC BIOLOGIST PROGRAM SPECIALIST (Quail Program Coordinator)
POSITION NO. 22164583
WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT DIVISION

CLASS SUMMARY:
The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC) Biologist Program Specialist is responsible for the management and life processes of fish, wildlife, and their habitats; collecting and analyzing biological data; and, specializing in fish and wildlife research, management, husbandry, and/or habitat management. This position is governed by state and federal laws and agency policy.

SPECIAL JOB DIMENSIONS:
Frequent in-state travel required.

TYPICAL FUNCTIONS:
Provides program and project supervision by developing program curriculums, monitoring facilities and personnel, and coordinating program maintenance and protocols. Makes recommendations on management, regulation, and planning of fish and wildlife populations and habitats, consulting with stakeholders and the public at large to explore options. Studies characteristics of fish and wildlife, such as population dynamics, life histories, diseases, genetics, and distribution. Prepares collections of preserved specimens or microscopic slides for species identification and study of development or disease. Implements state and federal preventative programs to monitor and control fish and wildlife diseases and invasive, exotic species. Disseminates information by writing reports and making presentations to schools, clubs, interest groups, and agency administration. Promotes hunting and fishing through a variety of outreach programs. Directs the operation and maintenance of various public lands, waters, and/or fish propagation facilities, based on program management plans. May testify as an expert witness in legal proceedings. Performs other duties as assigned.

JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Provides statewide intra-and interagency leadership and coordination regarding AGFC’s management/research activities for quail. Primarily coordinates division and agency quail management and research/survey programs including but not limited to the following: gathers and analyzes baseline data on the distribution, trends, and abundance of quail. Develops and implements monitoring programs to track and evaluate population changes and impacts of management programs. Leads an interdivisional team in implementing and updating long range strategic and operational plans for quail. Develops research projects and oversees contracts for cooperative research projects. Coordinates with private companies, other state agencies, landowners, federal agencies and other AGFC agency staff in the statewide management of quail and their habitat. Develops annual statewide quail harvest/hunting regulation recommendations. Coordinates statewide data collection. Emphasis will be placed on a habitat-based approach to statewide quail restoration including a focus on the beneficial impacts to all early-successional species including grassland songbirds. Conducts technical in-service training for agency field personnel on research/survey procedures and management techniques. Presents educational programs to schools, civic groups, sportsmen’s groups, the Commission and agency staff. Prepares technical presentations and scientific papers on quail management for professional meetings. Serves as Arkansas’s representative on state, regional and national committees involving quail management. Writes news releases and magazine articles and participates in television and radio shows. Performs administrative duties including but not limited to the following: develops and manages program budgets. Administers federal, state and private research, and conservation grants. Supervision of employee (s). Develops and maintains databases. Writes project reports and in-service documents. Other duties will be carried out as assigned. This position has statewide duties and will involve some overnight travel both in and out-of-state. Frequent field work with exposure to inclement weather is required. Occasional exposure to hunters and dangerous animals may be required.

All applicants subject to a criminal background check.
Qualifications
MINIMUM EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE:
The formal education equivalent of a bachelor's degree in biology, zoology, botany, or a related field; plus three years of experience in biology, wildlife management, or a related field. Additional requirements determined by the agency for recruiting purposes require review and approval by the Office of Personnel Management. Other job related education and/or experience may be substituted for all or part of these basic requirements, except for certification or licensure requirements, upon approval of the qualifications review committee.

PREFERRED MINIMUM EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE:
A master’s degree in wildlife management, biology, zoology, or a related field, ideally with a thesis on Northern Bobwhite. Experience in wildlife management/research dealing with Northern Bobwhite. Experience in a leadership capacity is preferred.

KNOWLEDGE, ABILITIES, AND SKILLS:
Knowledge of the principles of biology, ecology, and related environmental sciences. Knowledge of methods and techniques of scientific testing, data collection, and analysis. Knowledge of the effects of pollution on plants, fish, animals, and human life. Knowledge of fish/wildlife management programs, including propagation, cultivation, and harvesting techniques. Knowledge of wildlife/fish management laboratory techniques, equipment, and procedures. Ability to communicate in oral and written forms. Ability to make public presentations. Ability to conduct scientific wildlife and/or fish surveys/studies, analyze and evaluate collected data, and prepare written narrative reports of findings. Ability to direct, coordinate, and maintain wildlife and/or fish management programs. Ability to operate and maintain fishery and wildlife equipment.

PREFERRED KNOWLEDGE, ABILITIES, AND SKILLS:
Strong interest in and knowledge of the biology, ecology, and management of Northern Bobwhite. Knowledge of Northern Bobwhite habitat requirements and habitat management techniques is essential. Knowledge of Northern Bobwhite trapping, banding, survey, and research techniques. Must be proficient with a variety of computer software applications including ArcView/ArcGIS/ArcMap, Microsoft. The ability to work efficiently and effectively with others within and outside the agency (e.g., USFWS, USFS, NRCS, FSA, etc.) as well as independently, and be able to prioritize a heavy and varied workload. Possess effective organizational, written, and verbal communication skills. Ability to facilitate large and diverse groups to accomplish large goals.

Applicants may apply online at www.arstatejobs.com.
Applications must include complete work history and references. Applications will be accepted via online, US mail or fax (501-223-6444) and must be received by 4:30 p.m. on October 3, 2016.
Arkansas Game and Fish Commission
Attn: Human Resources Division
2 Natural Resources Drive
Little Rock, AR 72205

“AS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER, THE COMMISSION WILL MAKE ANY REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS NECESSARY TO ENSURE EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES”

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Read the full Original Post

Arkansas 2013 Quail Season Information

Check the AR Game and Fish website for current information

Quail Forever Names Wallace New Regional Representative for MO, AR and LA

Quail Forever (QF) and Pheasants Forever (PF) recently named John Wallace of Eaton, Ohio, as the organization’s new regional representative for Missouri, Arkansas and Louisiana. Wallace will work out of his home in the Columbia area and focus his efforts on supporting Quail Forever and Pheasants Forever chapters and members—as well as their activities— in Missouri, Arkansas and Louisiana.

Wallace, a former Pheasants Forever farm bill wildlife biologist, looks to grow Quail Forever’s presence in the three states, which are currently home to 25 Quail Forever chapters, six Pheasants Forever chapters and more than 3,000 PF/QF members. He will work at raising and expending funds on wildlife habitat and conservation education, and also work with local, state, and federal natural resource agencies on behalf of QF/PF chapters.

Wallace grew up in west central Ohio, where he spent most of his childhood fishing, hunting, and camping with family. He and his family have been members of a local rod and gun club for his entire life. “Belonging to a local sportsman’s club really helped me understand and appreciate the importance of conservation and being a part of a group of folks that share a passion,” says Wallace. “Quail Forever and Pheasants Forever chapter volunteers share that same passion and dedication, and it’s exciting to be a part of it!”

Though Missouri is one of the leading states for quail restoration, Wallace says it’s important to continue connecting local quail hunters to Quail Forever’s habitat mission. “Over my three and a half years with Pheasants Forever, I dealt directly with the Conservation Reserve Program and local Pheasants Forever chapters, helping to realize wildlife goals and maximize chapters' efficiencies at banquets and other events. I look forward to using these experiences in Missouri, as well as in Arkansas and Louisiana,” notes Wallace.

Wallace and his wife, Jamie, have two sons, Adam (4) and Wade (2). They also have two dogs—both boxers—named Mya and Rush, and one cat. In their daily lives, the family tries to incorporate as many outdoor activities as possible. At their young age, their boys already enjoy camping, fishing, and T-ball. “We are looking forward to life in Missouri, as it will bring many more opportunities to enjoy the outdoors as a family,” says Wallace.

Quail Forever empowers county and local chapters with the responsibility to determine how 100 percent of their locally raised conservation funds will be spent - the only national conservation organization that operates through this truly grassroots structure. As a result, chapter volunteers are able to see the fruits of their efforts locally, while belonging to a larger national organization with a voice on federal and state conservation policy.

Wallace can be contacted at Jwallace@quailforever.org or (937) 459-8085. For all other inquiries, please contact Rehan Nana, Quail Forever public relations specialist, at (651) 209-4973 or Rnana@quailforever.org

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 135,000 members and 720 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 (651) 209-4973 or email Rehan