In the Weeds: April 2008

"In the Weeds" takes a closer look at the projects, events and happenings of the over 700 PF/QF chapters and 120,000 PF/QF members across the country.

Quail Forever Firmly Planted in Washington

On the Wing: In the Weeds On Saturday, March 22nd, the Columbia Basin Chapter of Quail Forever completed QF's first habitat project in Washington State history. The project - located on the Sunnyside Game Management Unit just outside Sunnyside, Washington - was a joint volunteer planting effort with the Yakima Valley Chapter of Pheasants Forever and the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife.

The 700 shrubs were a mix of wild rose, elderberry, sumac and juniper. All project planting material and supplies were purchased with funds raised from the Columbia Basin chapter's first banquet last October. "Our chapter wants to enhance hunting opportunities here in Washington State for the California Valley Quail and ensure the land we currently have in the Feel Free To Hunt Program is habitat managed correctly," said Jon Murphy, president of the Columbia Basin chapter, "Being the first QF chapter in Washington State is a huge responsibility, but also a great opportunity for us to promote what we can do as a chapter, how we can make a difference in our region and what QF is all about."

While wanting to take full advantage of the great spring weather in the region, and not satisfied with only one planting project completed, the Columbia Basin chapter tackled a second habitat project on Saturday, April 5th. A brigade of QF & PF volunteers armed with tree shovels and buckets planted 500 more shrubs on the Yakima Indian Reservation just outside Toppenish, Washington. The shrubs, which included mock orange and sage brush, found new homes in an area where the Yakima Valley Chapter of PF had planted winter wheat a year earlier. "The Yakima area is the state's crown jewel when it comes to the California Valley Quail, and the region consistently posts the state's highest number of harvested quail," Murphy said. To see additional photos from the planting projects and more information about the Columbia Basin Chapter of QF, log onto at www.quailforeverwa.com.

If you have story ideas, dog photos, pre-1980 hunting photos and requests for future On The Wing consideration, please send correspondence to ahauck@pheasantsforever.org.

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