For Immediate Release

Quail Forever's 2008 Quail Hunting Guide

Ten Tips to Make This Your Best Autumn Yet!

- October 02 -

We mean it as no slight to the other seasons, but there is just something about autumn. The changing of the seasons brings with it a beauty that keeps minds poetic and a crispness that keeps bodies comfortable. It can be argued that hunters spend two-thirds of the year preparing for this final third, the advent of "hunting season," the opportunity to harvest fruits from the land. And because you've waited all year for this, Quail Forever has 10 final tips to ensure this upland hunting season is your best yet!

1. Get Buddy, Bella and Your Butt Moving. You shouldn't take an out-of-shape dog into the field, and you shouldn't take an out-of-shape "you" there either. Fit dogs equate to fuller game bags, not to mention healthier hunting companions. Find pre-season conditioning tips at Quail Forever's Bird Dog Bonanza presented by Native performance dog food. Don't take your own physical condition for granted, either. Even with most hunting seasons just weeks away, there's still time to get a pre-hunt medical check-up and to start a daily walking or exercise regimen. If you've never learned CPR or taken a first aid course, now is a good time, and even if you have, a refresher in those areas is always beneficial.

2. Pre-Hunt GamePlan. It can be said for many things in life that if you fail to plan, you plan to fail, and quail hunting is no exception. So let's hurry you up to speed. First, get some expectations for this season by checking out Quail Forever's 2008 Quail Hunting Forecast. No matter what state you're hunting in, be sure you're familiar with that state's hunting regulations at Quail Forever's State Agency page. Finally, take an equipment inventory. Whether you're missing anything, or just plain want something new, your upland gear connection is Quail Forever's MarketPlace Quail Forever's MarketPlace.

3. Post-Hunt Exam. The hunt is done, and hopefully you've managed to slide a bird or three into your vest. But there is one more step before you've wrapped up your day's work. Spending just a few minutes directly following the hunt to run your dog through a post-hunt exam can eliminate or alleviate problems later on. Look over the dog for obvious abrasions or bleeding. Then check the dog from head to toe. Start at the head and then check the mouth, tongue, nose, lips, eyes and ears. Next, look over the neck, chest and abdomen. Finally, check the feet and legs – typically the biggest problem area – for any abnormalities. Your bird dog can't tell you what's ailing, so you have to pay attention to their behavior and take the time to give them a good exam after every trip afield.

4. Quail Forever Loads. Fill your game vest and make a contribution to quail conservation with the purchase of Federal Premium® Ammunition's Wing-Shok® Quail Forever loads. Federal makes a donation to Quail Forever's habitat work for every box of QF-labeled shells sold. These QF loads were designed specifically with quail hunters in mind and are some of the best loads on the market for the avid quail hunter. Northerners will also find the Quail Forever offerings to be an excellent choice for ruffed grouse and woodcock. Wing-Shok® QF loads are available in 12 and 20 gauges, #7.5 and #8 options. For more information on QF loads, as well as the rest of the Federal Premium line-up, visit www.federalpremium.com.

5. Cast and Blast. Habitat across the quail range helps improve water quality and protects fish populations in many places as well. The crossover between hunting and fishing in the United States is quite high, as nearly 70 percent of hunters are also anglers. And fall is no time to put away the rod and reel and become a one-trick pony. For many anglers, the fall bite is can't-miss, so bookend a day of fishing with morning and evening hunts, then enjoy your reward that evening: A combo platter.

6. Add Some Seasoning. All hunters have their favorite spots, honey holes they religiously return to year in and year out. With good reason, as these spots have proven to be productive – or else why come back? But do yourself a favor this year and try becoming less a creature of habit and more a creature of habitat...new habitat that is! Make it a point to trek some new ground this year. Do some sleuthing – or "sloughthing" if you're waterfowling – and find a new tract of public land or knock on the doors of a few area landowners to open up some new opportunities for yourself. Variety is the spice of life, and makes a great seasoning for any hunter! If you do happen to gain permission, thank a landowner with a Gift Membership to Quail Forever.

7. Vote on November 4th. Okay, a trip to the ballot booth isn't as exciting as one to the backwoods, but taking a few minutes to fulfill your civic duty goes a long way to ensuring continued support for the outdoors. Typically, there is strong voter turnout among sportsmen and women. But if you're one who loves the outdoors and hasn't drawn the direct correlation between casting a ballot and casting a line, time to wise up. Year in and year out, elected officials from all levels of government have hands in decisions affecting regulations and outdoor funding. Get to know the candidates and where they stand on issues related to conservation and the outdoors. And, if you are going to be "a traveling hunter" on November 4th, be sure to pick up an absentee ballot in advance.

8. Your Heir Apparent. By now its common knowledge that hunter and angler replacement numbers are not keeping up with the hunter and angler attrition rates. If you were gone, you'd like to know your family was taken care of. Wouldn't you also like to ensure your outdoor legacy will continue long after you've hung up the hunting boots? Quail Forever's No Child Left Indoors™ initiative is meeting this challenge head on, as is our Grassroots Conservation Campaign.

9. Join Quail Forever. The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service reported in 2006 that hunters and anglers spend $76 billion each year (about $2,200 per person) on gear, travel, etc., yet only contribute $22 million in support for conservation group projects. The fact is the average sportsperson is spending $2,200 every year to enjoy hunting and fishing, and (excluding state and federal license fees and special tax fees) is giving back less than $2 every year to ensure hunting and fishing opportunities in the future. You can talk about the need for conservation, or you can do something about it. Log onto www.QuailForever.org today and join, donate, attend a local QF banquet, volunteer as a chapter officer, or pick up some QF merchandise! We need YOU and so do the coveys!

10. Third Annual QF / NSTRA National Championships. Mark your calendars for the Third Annual QF / NSTRA National Championships, coming January 14-17, 2009, at the 4-Star Plantation in Carlton, Georgia. The event is brought to you by QF and the National Shoot to Retrieve Association (NSTRA) and is open to any pointing breed registered with Field Dog Stud Book (FDSB), American Kennel Club (AKC), Continental Kennel Club (CKC) or NSTRA. This is as close to hunting as you can get and still compete with your dog! For more information on this event, click here.