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Can bob white quail be kept free range, or released?

post #1 of 6
1/17/09 at 11:42am
Thread Starter 

Hello,
I live in an odd urban area near several large fields, some small woodlots, railroad tracks with overgrown right of ways, and other non cultivated patches. I would love to be able to "seed" the area with bob white. I grew here and would often hear their call, but that's been 30+ years. Is this at all feasible?
I realize that is a short question that will take a long answer. I want to assure you that I will follow the advice I get here. There are probably more reasons that this shouldn't be done than I can think of, and I can reel off several.  I am active on several reptile forums and am familiar with questions being asked by inexperienced people (like me - first post here) who then don't pay attention to the responses. Several people will explain how the question is a bad idea (releasing a domestic into a wild area, disease vectors, ethical concerns, etc.) and the original poster ends up saying they're going to try it anyway. I am sort of the opposite -- I doubt I can do this, but hope to be convinced it will work.
If this is a repeat of an old thread I apologize. I didn't see anything that seemed to cover it when I searched.
Andy

give up television - 100% cold turkey. Leave what isn't real and go to what is real.
Spend time with nature, see the ground and the sky, feel your place on this earth,
see the trees, the plants, birds, animals, feel their life. And feel your own life.
                                                                   Dr. William Pierce (paraphrased)
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give up television - 100% cold turkey. Leave what isn't real and go to what is real.
Spend time with nature, see the ground and the sky, feel your place on this earth,
see the trees, the plants, birds, animals, feel their life. And feel your own life.
                                                                   Dr. William Pierce (paraphrased)
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post #2 of 6
1/17/09 at 11:47am

Most states, if not all. You have to have a permit to release them. I dont think they could free range. They most likely would never come back. Go wild, ect. Some states you even have to have a permit to keep them..

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post #3 of 6
1/17/09 at 11:48am

Most states require you to have a permit to keep, raise, sell, trade, and release them. To be sure youd have to check you local laws. But as far a free ranging, they wont free range like chickens do. They will more than likely be gone. And cage raised birds, even though they are considered wild animals, they dont fair very well in the wild. They lack the survial instinct that wild animals have that are raised in the wild. Hope this helps you. smile

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post #4 of 6
1/17/09 at 12:10pm

First you would have to get the proper permits from your state. Then after you release them, they will more than likely be devoured by every predator out there.  Do yourself a big favor and enjoy raising them then enjoy  haveing a few quail for a special feast with family and friends..

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post #5 of 6
1/17/09 at 2:52pm

I have raised many bobwhite quail, and have found that the best thing is to let an experienced hen (bantam is best) that is used to free ranging hatch out the eggs.  Then, I keep this family confined for up to 2 weeks.  At this point, I turn them all loose.  The hen will keep the quail in the yard somewhat, and as the quail grow up and become more independent, they will gradually wean themselves from the hen.  Eventually, they will become quite wild, and mine have survived for a long time.  I had a small flock started on an abandoned farm for awhile, but along came a bad winter and killed them all.  I plan to try it again this spring.  PM me if you have questions.

Old, fat, gray-haired EMT guy.  Raised birds for 55 years.  I don't name 'em, and don't dwell over any that die.  I treat every bird with respect, and feed and care for 'em as best I can.  Dad to 2 M.D.'s, a teacher and a student.  Grandpa to 6 beautiful girls, and as of March, 09, a handsome grandson.
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Old, fat, gray-haired EMT guy.  Raised birds for 55 years.  I don't name 'em, and don't dwell over any that die.  I treat every bird with respect, and feed and care for 'em as best I can.  Dad to 2 M.D.'s, a teacher and a student.  Grandpa to 6 beautiful girls, and as of March, 09, a handsome grandson.
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post #6 of 6
1/18/09 at 7:20pm

living in South Central Virginia I can tell you that we have tons of wild Bob whites.  I love to sit and listen to them in the evening during the summer and fall.  When I lived in Suffolk about 5 years ago I also had tons of Bob whites around.  I am thinking that where ever you are in Virginia you may have an imported predator such as cats that are hurting your Bob White populations.

We own a small farm in S.Central Virginia.  With goats, pigs, cows, rabbits, Guineas, Quail, Jacob sheep and plenty of chickens.  We make and sell goat milk soap, body lotions and lip balms.  At the farm we sell eggs for eating and hatching, goats and sheep.   See our Website www.griffinsark.com or visit us on FaceBook Griffin's Ark Animal Page.
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We own a small farm in S.Central Virginia.  With goats, pigs, cows, rabbits, Guineas, Quail, Jacob sheep and plenty of chickens.  We make and sell goat milk soap, body lotions and lip balms.  At the farm we sell eggs for eating and hatching, goats and sheep.   See our Website www.griffinsark.com or visit us on FaceBook Griffin's Ark Animal Page.
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