It has been four years since the last Statewide Quail Symposium was held in Abilene. The biennial event was put on hiatus two years ago, so quail enthusiasts are looking forward to updates on all things related to quail. The conference will bring quail experts together to discuss quail management, research updates and quail conservation.
“The symposium is open to anyone with an interest in quail, including landowners, land managers, hunters, students and naturalists” said Dr. Ryan O’Shaughnessy, Rolling Plains Quail Research Foundation’s executive director.
The event, hosted by RPQRF, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, and the Texas Wildlife Association, kicks off Aug. 16 with a tour of the Rolling Plains Quail Research Ranch, located between Roby and Snyder.
“We’ll showcase our habitat management practices and update participants on our research and outreach efforts,” O’Shaughnessy said. “We’ll see and discuss management techniques used on the property to optimize habitat for quail and work on plant identification skills with experts while out in the field.”
Participants will convene at the Abilene Convention Center Aug. 16-18 for presentations from leading experts on quail management and research. Sessions will cover everything from hunting gear and technology to resources for landowners to improve and maintain habitat for quail. Speakers will include Dr. Bill Palmer, Research Director and President of Tall Timbers, Rolling Plains Quail Research Foundation outreach director Dr. Dale Rollins and TPWD Upland Game Bird program leader John McLaughlin.
Participants may take advantage of discounted early registration by signing up before July 3 for $75 ($100 after). Student rates are $50 for early registration ($75 after). For more information, contact Dana Wright with RPQRF at dwright@quailresearch.org.
