Pine/bluestem In Ouchita

[The Troutdoorsman]

I would like to quail hunt some good examples of the pine/blue stem restoration that is taking place in the Ouchita. For proximity the eastern portions of Arkansas would be less travel for me. I would travel further west though to find a quintessential example. Does anyone know of some areas that exhibit this type of habitat and maybe hold a few birds?

Rusty

[Quillback]

I don't know of any public land in Arkansas that has a lot of quail habitat, but there could be some out there. Western MO has quite a few prairie conservation areas that have good quail habitat, and may be worth checking out. I plan to do a little poking around in MO myself, if anything me and the dog will get some exercise.

[The Troutdoorsman]

Thanks QB. One reason I'm looking in Arkansas or Oklahoma is the season is longer. Once January 15th rolls around Missouri isn't an option. Also they are doing a pine restoration in the national forest near where I live in southern Missouri. From the sounds of things it's going to resemble the pine/blue stem restoration that is taking place in the Ouchita.

[Quillback]

I'll have to poke around I see if I can find out where that restoration stuff is going on, I know nothing about it - are they taking out wooded type cover and replacing it with bluestem creating a prairie like environment?

[Quillback]

Here's a link to some info. You might want to contact the USFS office responsible for the Ouchita NF and see if they can give you any info regarding this project. It does appear it can benefit quail.

http://www.fs.usda.gov/detailfull/ouachita/home/?cid=FSM9_039689&width=full