Texas Quails: Ecology and Management

23. Effects of Quail Management on Other Wildlife

381 Effects of Quail Management on Other Wildlife William P. Kuvlesky Jr. The apparent link between red-cockaded woodpecker and bobwhite habitat management in mature pine forests can, and should, be used to demonstrate the value of adaptive, integrated habitat management for terrestrial vertebrates. Brennan (1991a) A lucrative recreational hunting economy has emerged in South Texas and is emerging elsewhere, such as in the Rolling Plains. Typically, ranchers in South Texas can expect, on average, to net $5.00–7.50/hectare /year (about $2.00–3.00/acre/year) from cattle operations. Currently, hunting leases range $20–$62/hectare/year (about $8–$25/acre/year) (Rhyne 1998). Hunters who lease both hunting and grazing rights often end up, on average, paying ranchers more than $37/hectare/year ($15/ acre/year). Hunters sometimes lease an entire ranch, or at least a large pasture consisting of several thousand acres. Clearly, the gross profits generated from wildlife production frequently exceed those of livestock production on many South Texas ranches. This new economic force continues to grow and has the potential to dramatically impact how rangelands are used and managed throughout Texas. Quail Hunting Texas ranchers clearly have a financial incentive to actively manage vegetation in a manner that provides habitat conditions conducive to quail production. However, although quails may be the driving force behind habitat management programs on millions of acres of private land in Texas, quail habitat management has a profound impact on many nontarget wildlife species that represent an additional potential source of revenue. For example, wildlife watchers spent more than $1 billion in Texas during 2001 compared to the approximately $2 billion spent by hunters (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 2002). Also, like Texas quail hunters, the majority of nonconsumptive wildlife enthusiasts are from demographic categories that generally have substantial discretionary funds, which they are willing to devote to their favorite outdoor activities. It is therefore important to understand how quail habitat management impacts other valuable species of wildlife. Wildlife watchers have become a significant economic force in Texas. The money they spend in pursuit of their activities has a tremendous real and potential impact on rural economies. Ranchers should understand that because of the growing popularity of nature tourism, they have an opportunity to market the nongame wildlife resources on their lands to individuals who have no interest in hunting. Today more than ever, nongame wildlife can be a valuable commodity to ranchers who want to diversify their wildlife programs beyond hunting. Consequently, the purpose of this chapter is to review how quail management in Texas impacts other native wildlife species. Because 23 382 Culture, Heritage, and Future of Texas Quails most active quail management programs currently occur on private ranches, much of this chapter will focus on management practices applied to rangelands. However, active quail management also occurs in East Texas, where timber management is an important land use. The final section of the chapter will be devoted to how quail management in forest ecosystems impacts other wildlife. Quail Management on Texas Rangelands Most quail populations in Texas inhabit rangeland vegetation communities . Consequently, quail management in most parts of Texas involves aspects of grazing (figures 23.1 and 23.2) and/or brush management. Numerous factors influence and determine how rangelands are managed for quails. Land-use history and the financial resources available to a landowner have a substantial impact on management decisions. Nevertheless, maintaining an appropriate configuration of woody and herbaceous cover on a sufficiently large area is generally the basic requirement needed to maintain a self-sustaining quail population. Numerous management practices can be implemented to meet the habitat Figure 23.1. On rangeland habitats, the cattlegrazing regimes have a huge impact on populations of quails and other grassland birds. Photo by William P. Kuvlesky Figure 23.2. Two views of quail and grassland bird habitat. The right side of the fence represents good grazing stewardship and good habitat for quails and grassland birds. The left side of the fence represents overgrazing and lack of grass cover essential for quails and grassland birds. Photo by Dale Rollins 383 Effects of Quail Management on Other Wildlife requirements of quail populations on rangelands. The following section will summarize the potential impacts of some of the most common quail habitat management practices on other species of wildlife. Prescribed Burning Although prescribed burning has been used for decades to improve bobwhite habitat in the southeastern United...