Releasing Birds - Need some advice

[Mumpy]

Hey guys, I have some land that is void of quail that has become available to me for training. I would like to release quail on this property like on a Sunday and then bring dogs out on the next Saturday to train on those released birds. What advice would you give in this situation? How many birds should I release to ensure there will be a few remaining on the Saturday? Should I incorporate some feed and water or release them near a water source? First time attempting something like this so I apologize if my questions are stupid.

TIA

[gonehuntin']

The number of birds depends on the number of fox, hawks, and owls on the property. A week is a looooooong time for quail to survive with a lot of predators. Personally, I release them one day and hunt them a day or two later.

[rinker]

search the forum for 'johnny house'.

[deseeker]

The number of birds depends on the number of fox, hawks, and owls on the property. A week is a looooooong time for quail to survive with a lot of predators. Personally, I release them one day and hunt them a day or two later.

X2
Pen raised quail are stupid--they don't survive very well around preditors. Turn them out the night before and hunt them the next day. Have fun

[polmaise]

[quote="Mumpy"]
Good stuff , have fun now that your question s are answered.

[Mumpy]

The number of birds depends on the number of fox, hawks, and owls on the property. A week is a looooooong time for quail to survive with a lot of predators. Personally, I release them one day and hunt them a day or two later.

X2
Pen raised quail are stupid--they don't survive very well around preditors. Turn them out the night before and hunt them the next day. Have fun

Yea, you're right there. I'll probably do this, it's a lot easier on me by doing it this way.

Thanks for the input guys

[RayGubernat]

I'd get a bag of pelleted feed, spread a good handlful in a likely piece of cover. Then, near dark, I would put a half dozen birds in a box with a slide or pull away gate nearby and walk away. I would have a string on the slide gate. I would do the same thing at two or more additional locations and then go back to the first one, lift the gate and walk away.

I have a few that I made up out of 1/4" plywood but you can make a good enough stocking box out of a shoebox or similarly sized box a couple pieces of tape and a length of string. The birds will walk out into the cover and the feed will keep them there or nearby, during the overnight.

Next morning you will have 3 coveys to work your dog on...if the foxes haven't gotten to them.

I would use a minimum of four birds to a location and if you don't have a lot of predators, the birds will last a few days.

RayG

[CDN_Cocker]

I think your better bet is to release them in the morning and hunt them later on in the day. You'd be lucky to find any a week later...

[SwitchGrassWPG]

Released adult birds have a very high mortality rate and don't survive very long. If there were wild birds in the area, they may have a better chance. If you'd like to try to establish quail on the property, start with birds between 3-6 weeks old. Even at this age, you'll be luck to have 50% survive. I do some part-time work for a guy who raises them from day old chicks and the best survival he's ever had were on some 2 week old escapees.

Jay

[Mumpy]

I'd get a bag of pelleted feed, spread a good handlful in a likely piece of cover. Then, near dark, I would put a half dozen birds in a box with a slide or pull away gate nearby and walk away. I would have a string on the slide gate. I would do the same thing at two or more additional locations and then go back to the first one, lift the gate and walk away.

I have a few that I made up out of 1/4" plywood but you can make a good enough stocking box out of a shoebox or similarly sized box a couple pieces of tape and a length of string. The birds will walk out into the cover and the feed will keep them there or nearby, during the overnight.

Next morning you will have 3 coveys to work your dog on...if the foxes haven't gotten to them.

I would use a minimum of four birds to a location and if you don't have a lot of predators, the birds will last a few days.

RayG

Another great piece of advice and I'll definitely do it this way. Thank you Ray