Virginia's Quail Action Plan 2008
The Department of Game and Inland Fisheries Board of Director's, at the request of the Director's Quail Focus Group, passed the following resolution in January 2008:
"Resolution to highly recommend that the Board and DGIF place the highest priority on the restoration of wild quail populations and promote the sport of Bobwhite Quail hunting both wild and preserve birds including the development of a Bobwhite Quail Action Plan encompassing management, research, education, outreach, coordination (Utility & Power Company, DOF, Timber, VDOT, etc.) and specifically addressing environmental and other factors limiting quail numbers; and establishing official habitats to demonstrate the effectiveness of habitat management."
Since the January board meeting staff has been developing the draft Quail Action Plan (QAP) for Virginia. This is Virginia's second chance to develop a plan for quail conservation. Virginia's 1996 Quail Plan was the first in the nation, and we are the first to have developed a second plan. The draft QAP has been completed and was presented to the DGIF Board of Directors on July 15th, 2008. Many comments were incorporated in the draft plan — from other agencies, non-governmental conservation organizations, VDGIF staff and private citizens, but there is still time to comment.
The VDGIF Board will review the QAP and provide revisions by September 12th 2008. Staff will incorporate their comments and other comments received into the final QAP that will be presented to the Board at their October 23rd meeting. Though much work has already been done, the QAP will begin officially with DGIF's 2010 fiscal year budget. If you would like to comment on the plan please send your comments to dgifweb@dgif.virginia.gov.