bobwhite

BOBWHITE
now i have known several bob whites in my lifetime
all were pretty nice guys
some arent with us anymore

just like bobwhites are getting to be here in texas
and elsewhere

whats a bobwhite
well if you live in the rural south or especially in texas
you probably know what a bobwhite is
although
thanks to our removal of their habitat they have continued
to decrease in population

in fact here at the country n
we have lived here now for going on our 15th year
we have never heard a bobwhite or quail since
we moved in

it seems the bobwhite has decreased in numbers around texas
as they were over hunted while their habitat was being destroyed
by development and drought
fire ants may have contributed some as the quail live on the ground
to raise their young there
which gives the fire ants access to the young ones
add all that up
and
you get a significant drop in the bobwhite or quail population

here at the country n i have made a conscious attempt to increase
the habitat for birds bees snakes yes snakes deer turkey dove
and quail
i even planted a mix called quail mix from the native american seed
company that has species of grasses and wildflowers that the quail
love to eat
and
i let nature totally take over all my pasture land
letting the grasses grow the trees to just naturally pop up
even planted a few myself

the result is more wildlife
deer bed down in our front pasture
turkey occasionally come up from the river to roam our pasture
doves by the droves love our front pasture
its a sanctuary during dove season since we dont hunt any

now this year
while working in my front yard
i heard this distinctive sound
embedded in my brain from when i was a youth in southern arkansas

thats where i learned you could call them to where you are
by whistling like this

yes thats my bobwhite call

so i did
i could hear him i presume its a him work closer and closer to where
i was standing
but he is skittish
never allowing me to really see him

this spring i can hear more of them in the distance
a good sign that they may be returning to this area of
the hill country

now if the hunters will just stay away from here
as
im sure there is not many of them around right now

now one thing i have noticed is that the hunting groups do
do a good job of protecting wildlife
and managing their numbers

now here at the country n
we dont want any of ours removed for any reason

so
today as i work outside in my yard
i plan to start my conversation back up with my
bobwhite buddy
hoping todays the day when i can see him

the organicgreen doctor