The K-16 Chapter of Quail Forever’s next meeting is Tuesday, Nov. 4
Holton, KS -(Ammoland.com)- Quail hunters from Jackson and Jefferson Counties in northeast Kansas have formed the newest chapter of Quail Forever in the country.
Officially known as the K-16 Chapter of Quail Forever – named after the highway connecting the two counties – the new affiliate plans to focus on quail habitat and youth conservation education on both sides of the county lines.
“There are plenty of farmers and landowners in this area who want to make a difference for quail, and we feel our new group could be a great resource for these individuals,” said Greg Tanking, elected president for K-16 Chapter of Quail Forever. “In addition to helping restore quail populations in Jefferson and Jackson Counties, this chapter is going to make a determined effort to provide area youth with conservation education in various ways. We are excited to get started with these endeavors and would like to invite the community to join our cause.”
The K-16 Chapter of Quail Forever has formed at a time when Kansas is recovering from historic low populations of bobwhite quail due to drought conditions which have plagued the state since 2012. With an increase of 50 percent for quail popualtions as reported in the 2014 Quail Hunting Forecast, the chapter remains optimistic about the future of bobwhite quail hunting in the state.
“This group formed to help restore the tradition of quail hunting in Kansas. I believe conservation-minded farmers and landowners exist across northeast Kansas and I’m confident they’ll embrace the efforts of our new chapter,” added Tanking.
“This new chapter has a definite passion for wildlife habitat conservation and connecting youth to the great outdoors. Locally led habitat efforts can make a difference for wildlife populations in Kansas, and I am excited to see the direction taken by our newest chapter in the state,” said Marc Glades, Quail Forever’s south regional field manager in Kansas. “In addition to this new group, Holly Shutt, Quail Forever’s Farm Bill wildlife biologist for the region, will provide helpful guidance to the chapter and area landowners for wildlife habitat projects.”
K-16 Chapter of Quail Forever
The K-16 Chapter of Quail Forever has elected Greg Tanking of Holton as president, Tyler Warner of Holton as habitat chair, Lu Griffiths of Holton as banquet chair, Carl Bendure of Valley Falls as co-banquet chair, Brandon Shaw of Holton as treasurer and Eric Deneault of Circleville as youth/education chair. The chapter is planning to host their annual membership fundraising banquet in February 2015 with a location to be determined. The chapter will hold its next meeting on Tuesday, November 4, at 7:00 p.m. at the Valley Falls Wildlife and Parks office located at 7760 174th Street, Valley Falls, KS 66088. People interested in joining the chapter and volunteering are encouraged to attend.
About Quail Forever in Kansas
Quail Forever is the quail division of Pheasants Forever. Kansas is home to 9 Quail Forever chapters, 39 Pheasants Forever chapters and 6,500 members of “The Habitat Organization.”
About Pheasants/Quail Forever
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 140,000 members and 745 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. Since creation in 1982, Pheasants Forever has spent $508 million on 475,000 habitat projects benefiting 10 million acres nationwide.