My surrogator arrived today. Almost as big as a vw beetle. The price was steep! But I have to say, it is a very well constructed and put together.

Just hatched out 150 (+ / -) bobwhite chciks yesterday and today. Planning on placing them in the surrogator Sunday. Now that everthing is coming together, the logistics are a little overwhelming.

Setting up the surrugator in the timber plains of n texas. 1500 ac with some really good habit.

Going to provide feed, water, and cover for each cycle released. PLanning on 4 cycles with the last one being relesed around the end of august. Ill post regulary with progress reports.

All suggestions welcomed.

I have seen many folks release quail with poor results, this system is touted as having better results. Why? Are the hatchlyings from wild stock? Why is this system a better bet? Thanks

Hatchings can't be from wild stock, at least not here in Texas. And if even so, providing feed & water for them once released will compound depredation from predators (both aerial & ground) on the released birds. This is documented from vast individuals that have tried.

"seen many folks release quail with poor results"...

Yes, between 98-99% mortality rate within the first 2 weeks after release.

CoolHandGSP - if you have good quail habitat, then you should already have a quail population. If quail aren't there, then the habitat is lacking one or more of the important factors.

Good luck

but the factor that could be lacking is nesting cover which he doesn't need with this setup.

take pictures and keep us updated.

Im aware of all the reason that say you cant reintroduce birds. I just want to see for myself. When I fail, you can say I told you so. If it works Ill invite you to come hunting. Deal?

That'll work and I do hope we have some that will take with effort they put in on them. I'll bring the steaks & potatoes and drinks.

CoolHand -
I began releasing birds on my property in Ellis County during the winter of 07-08. Last summer I encountered birds numerous times. I saw a hen and rooster with young chicks. In the evening birds could be heard calling in several different areas. Yes, the mortality rate is very high, but it is for wild birds as well. I applaud your effort. Some of your birds will survive. Bottom line: you will have more birds than you did. If you love the sport like some of us do then it's worth it. And like the old saying goes - you can't hit a homer if you ain't at the plate. Good Luck and keep us posted.

Nothing wrong with trying-it's just that study after study after study--says it can't be done. It's alot about natural habitat and mostly about a delicate little bird who has a hard time living day to day. By the way-none of those studies state that feeding does anything either(except concentrate birds and make it appear to the hunter that it works) But, just like me--try it.

Ugh... Your right the mortality rate for even wild quail is extremely high..So what do you do? You can do what Coolhand is doing and try. If he puts out 4 batches and has a 95% mortality rate he still has 5% more than he did. Personaly I salute him for putting the time and $$$ into this project.

CoolHandGSP, Hope this works for you!! Keep us updated with pictures and posting of how it is going.
Let me know if you need help with getting it setup or anything else.

GSP are you trying to stock the place with birds for this hunting season or trying to establish a wild population on your property?

Both. Im pretty confident that I will have some birds to shoot at this season. Now will they survive a whole year, pair up, and then have a clutch. Thats the millon dollar question. I have good habit, a little knowledge, and Im not just plannning on doing this for one year and expecting there to be a covey every 20 acres. I have a five year plan wherein Im going to release over 2500 birds. Maybe more. Im hoping, that over a five year period with that many birds being released, improvements to habitat, predator control, and a little luck I will have self sustaining coveys.

I know eveyone says this wont work. But I think the key is presistance.

I dropped the surrogator off this weekend and set up a fence around it. Due to the chilly weather Im not taking the chicks out until wednesday. Ill take some pics and post them.

I appluad you for your project. Me and the brits flushed us up a nice covey on our lease In Brownwood the other day while scouting an area for possible deer hunting
I have been looking at the possibility of using a covey camp to keep them up. Was our first outing on this field since we just this year acquired the lease so I am hoping to find more birds in the area. We have agriculture in the area but Im not sure what theyre planting
Keep us posted
http://www.qualitywildlife.com/index.asp

Good luck

GSP - I hope you have good results, I am sure you will enjoy the process. Keep us posted.

Updates w/ pics

That Surrogator looks pretty good. I might try one in Menard.

If you put 150 in the S-gator you will have at least 50 to die
the first two day. Kept it at 125. Second, get you a game camera and put it where you can watch what kind of varmits come around your unit. Try to trap or someway get rid of
them before you release your birds. If you don't those birds will not have a chance. I know been there!

Placed 130 one week old chicks in the surrogator this afternoon. After an hour, went back to check in on them. Seemed to be adjusting well and exploring their new digs. No visable stacking, which is a major concern when moving chicks into a new enviroment. Took some pic and will be posting them soon.

Whoa - I would imagine with the kind of losses you expierenced, that stacking was a major problem. Too cold maybe? Luckily enough we were blessed with the perfect day and nite to relocate this delicate species. What kind of predators were you dealing with? And when did this effect your efforts? Right after the release? Predator control is something I am very concerned with and your knowledge in this area would be helpful. Thanks for your time and thoughts.

CoolHand,

I had three batches last year released birds early June,late July and early Sept. Released 79,109, and 81. I did not think about putting out the camera until after I released the third group. I had racoons, possums,fox, coytees, house cats, coming to the feeders I had out. I plan on waiting until July before trying again. I have thin the racoons out. I am in East Texas but I do know some guys who have made it work not 30 miles from my location.
This year i will try checking on them at night instead of the day. Good Luck.

Went and checked on the birds today, and I have to pat myself on the back. I only had four deads. That leaves 126 birds in the surrogator. It is really satisfying when hard work and preparation pays off. I relize this is a very small step down a long road, but it is an important one. You cant release dead birds. I do have pics, but they are not on my camera. Coming soon. Thanks for the encouragement and advice.

Here's something you might think about: instead of using feeders for the birds pull a broadcast spreader behind the four wheeler. When you use a feeder EVERYTHING comes to that feeder once they know quail are on the menu. If you scatter the feed the birds will find it and it will be safer for them. Just a little "food for thought"..no pun...

I look forward to hearing about your efforts at this. Our project was unsuccessful but I want to try again.




Tbar

Reeltexan - great idea. i will definetly try that.