The Bobwhite Calls and Oklahoma Answers with Quail Forever Chapter in Ponca City
Quail Forever 09.05.14
More than twenty outdoor and habitat enthusiasts gathered for the initial start meeting of the newest Quail Forever chapter. Located in north central Oklahoma, the thriving new chapter covers Kay, Grant, Noble, and Osage counties. The group, known as the Cherokee Strip Quail Forever chapter, has been initiated to conduct habitat projects benefiting bobwhite quail, pheasants, and other wildlife, as well as to provide local youth the opportunity to learn about hunting, conservation, and the outdoors.
Quail Forever’s regional representative in Oklahoma, Laura McIver, has been active in transforming the state’s strong hunting heritage into dedicated Quail Forever chapters working to improve upland habitat and introduce youth to the outdoors. “The response to the announcement of this chapter’s start meeting was incredible,” says McIver, referring to the standing room only attendance at the chapter’s first meeting. “It goes to show that great passion and care for our upland birds is very much alive for this area of Oklahoma.”
The Cherokee Strip Quail Forever chapter will take advantage of Quail Forever’s unique model of empowering chapters with 100 percent control of their locally-raised funds to complete habitat and youth education projects in the their own communities. The new chapter’s goal to restore and preserve wildlife habitat in the areas surrounding Ponca City will ensure the next generation’s ability to enjoy the bobwhite’s call for years to come.
Cherokee Strip Quail Forever Chapter
- The Cherokee Strip Quail Forever chapter has elected Jason Grace of Ponca City as president, Don Fore of Ponca City as vice president, Michael Stolhand of Ponca City as treasurer, Joey McAllister of Ponca City as secretary, Carl Morrill of Pawnee as youth/education chair, Brian Lane of Tonkawa as co-habitat chair, James McMillen of Tonkawa as co-habitat chair, and Theresa McAninch of Tonkawa as banquet chair.
- The chapter will hold its next meeting on Tuesday, September 9, at 6:30 p.m. at the Evans & Associates meeting room located at 3320 N 14th, Ponca City, OK 74601. People interested in joining the chapter as a volunteer are encouraged to attend.
- For more information about the chapter, contact chapter president, Jason Grace, at (550) 716-2150 / jasonr.grace@yahoo.com.
Quail Forever in Oklahoma
There are seven Quail Forever chapters in Oklahoma. For more information about Quail Forever in Oklahoma, to join a chapter or inquire about starting a chapter, contact Laura McIver at (907) 750-2600 / lmciver@pheasantsforever.org.
Contact:
Bob St. Pierre (651) 209-4931
Pheasants Forever launched Quail Forever in August of 2005 to address the continuing loss of habitat suitable for quail and the subsequent quail population decline. Bobwhite population losses over the last 25 years range from 60 to 90 percent across the country. The reason for the quail population plunge is simple - massive losses of habitat suitable for quail. There are five major factors leading to the losses of quail habitat; intensified farming and forestry practices, succession of grassland ecosystems to forests, overwhelming presence of exotic grasses like fescue that choke out wildlife, and urban sprawl.
