Easy upgrade, long-lasting impact
As quail season opens later this month, hunters are preparing their guns, dogs and purchasing new gear for the upcoming season. Even as the excitement grows, it’s no secret that quail populations here in Texas and across the U.S. have been in a steady decline over time which has spurred the need for conservation efforts focused on quail.
Over the last five decades, there has been a 2% annual decline in quail populations in Texas. The Cross Timbers region alone has seen a staggering 89% decline in average bobwhite abundance since 1978.
TPWD biologists are partnering with experts across the state to hone in on the best strategies to bring back this beloved gamebird. This conservation work is funded through hunting license fees, a portion of the proceeds of the Upland Game Bird Stamp, Farm Bill conservation programs as well as contributions from a number of nonprofit organizations dedicated to quail research and conservation.
For many years, Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation (TPWF) has supported grassland and quail conservation through the Grassland Restoration Incentive Program, and most recently, through support of the new West Texas Quail Program Leader position at TPWD.
In 2018, TPWF launched a bobwhite quail conservation license plate featuring a bobwhite in flight and the words “Conserve Texas Quail” along the bottom. The plates will not only show off your love for bird hunting, it will also help fund the future of your passion.
The custom plate costs an additional $30 to the normal yearly license plate fee. For every license plate purchased, $22 goes to TPWF for quail conservation efforts, including habitat conservation, education, and capacity building. Since the launch of the license plates, 1,300 quail conservation plates have been purchased and TPWF has received $27,967.
Setting your truck or car up with new conservation plates might be a small ding to your wallet each year, but the contribution adds up for this ongoing project.
Protecting quail can’t be done alone. As the funds grow, a committee of representatives from quail conservation groups throughout the state will select projects to receive funding from the revenue of the license plates.
Drive home your support for this beloved gamebird and help increase the impact on quail conservation across Texas. Plates can be ordered at conservationplate.org.
