Quail Forever Breaks New Ground with First Chapter Start in Eastern New Mexico

By Justin Stakes

Volunteers focus on habitat conservation efforts in Roosevelt, Curry, and Quay Counties

Portales, NM -(Ammoland.com)- Quail hunters and natural resource professionals in eastern New Mexico have established the first-ever chapter of Quail Forever in the state – the Blackwater Draw Chapter of Quail Forever – bringing the organization’s unique model of wildlife habitat conservation to the Land of Enchantment.

Working side-by-side with resident landowners, chapter volunteers are eager to promote and enhance wildlife habitat for desert quail and other species while providing educational opportunities for area youth.

“I’m excited to be a part of the first Quail Forever chapter in New Mexico,” stated Jake Swafford, secretary for the Blackwater Draw Chapter of Quail Forever and the organization’s Farm Bill wildlife biologist based in Portales. “This chapter can act as another tool for conservation in eastern New Mexico focusing on unique, locally-driven, conservation issues. I hope to find our own niche and work on something that nobody else is doing in our area.”

New Mexico is one of only four states that has the distinction of offering four species of quail to hunters and birdwatchers. These species – including northern bobwhite, Gambel’s, Montezuma, and …read more

Source:: AmmoLand