Illinois Silver Creek Overflowing with Quail Enthusiasm
New Quail Forever Chapter Led by Longtime Conservationist, David Mueller.
Collinsville, Ill. –-(AmmoLand.com)- Residents from southeastern Illinois have formed the newest chapter of Quail Forever (QF), the Silver Creek QF Chapter. The group plans to focus their efforts on improving habitat for quail in Clinton, St. Clair, Monroe, and Madison counties, while also introducing area youngsters to hunting and conservation.
“It’s no secret the state’s quail numbers have been on the rapid decline for a while. This group of passionate quail hunters have the dedication to help reverse that trend locally by using the unique Quail Forever model to have a positive influence on the area’s quail habitat,” explained David Mueller, the chapter’s chairman, a Collinsville resident, and longtime local conservation volunteer.
Mueller also just finished up a two year term on the state’s Habitat Stamp Committee.
Bobwhite population losses over the past 30 years range from 60 to 90 percent across the country. The reason for the quail population plunge is simple – massive losses of habitat suitable for quail. There are five major factors leading to the losses of quail habitat; intensified farming and forestry practices, succession of grassland ecosystems to forests, overwhelming presence of exotic grasses like fescue that choke out wildlife, and urban sprawl.
The new chapter plans to roll out a variety of habitat and conservation education initiatives in the coming year; including, tree and seed programs for area landowners, a grassland management project, a food plot program, and a clay shooting event for area youth.
Quail Forever was founded by Pheasants Forever in 2005 to address the nation’s quail population decline. QF applies the successful Pheasants Forever model of empowering local chapters with the responsibility to determine how 100% of their locally raised conservation funds will be spent. Quail Forever and Pheasants Forever are the only national non-profit conservation organizations that operate through this truly grassroots structure. As a result, members see the fruits of their conservation efforts in their own communities, while belonging to a national organization with a broader voice in Washington D.C. on federal conservation policy.
In addition to Mueller being elected as the chapter’s chairman, Don Langenhorst of Germantown will be vice chairman and Gary Sauerhage of Mascoutah will serve as the chapter’s treasurer.
The Silver Creek QF Chapter’s next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, October 6th at 7PM. The meeting will be held at Fuhne’s Bar & Grill in Damiansville, Illinois. The public and media are encouraged to attend. For more information about the meeting and the new chapter, please contact David Mueller at (618) 667-2288 or via email at muelledw@hotmail.com. To learn more about starting a Quail Forever chapter in Illinois, contact Tim Caughran at (618) 467-2586 or via email at tcaughran@quailforever.org.
For additional information about Quail Forever, please visit www.QuailForever.org