Six Myth's and Misperceptions About Ohio Bobwhite Quail

If you remember Bobwhite Quail in any sort of abundance in Ohio you are telling you age. They are primarily restricted to the SW part of the state at this time, but there are efforts underway to help restore this native species. And deservedly so. Like most upland birds, their primary need – and what has been eliminated – is habitat.

This document from the Ohio State Extension office, "Managing for Bobwhite Quail in Ohio's Agricultural Landscape" offers great advice.

"It is important to think of bobwhite habitat from a bobwhite’s eye view. Bobwhites live on the ground, so relatively open ground cover with dense overhead protective cover is ideal for these birds."

What can you do? First is delay mowing and haying until later in June if possible. 

Second, consult back to this document which offers a great list of Bobwhite-friendly plants and suggestions for habitat mix. 

Third, learn the truth about common misperceptions about Bobwhite Quail in Ohio and ensure that they are not perpetuated.

Two of the most common are:

1. Misconception: Turkeys prevent bobwhite populations from recovering. False.

2. Misconception: Predation by coyotes prevents bobwhite populations from recovering. False.

What can you do? Join Quail Forever or Pheasants Forever and help protect and restore habitat for our upland birds.

Can a Fish Save an Ecosystem?

All ecosystems have a linchpin or series of linchpins around which various life forms depend. In the far north that linchpin is the salmon. “Wild Salmon Center President Guido Rahr states it better and more eloquently than I ever could in the TEDx Talk below (thanks to Field & Stream for the find). I won't tread that ground again.
  But what about other ecosystems? What are their linchpins that hold the environment together and that others depend? Can we identify them and what are we doing to preserve them?

The American Bison used serve a similar purpose as the salmon through the interior of North America. Their regular migrations across plains had a dramatic affect on the ecosystems and balance.

North American Bison range map by year. Source:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_bison

Now, perhaps in place of the bison, whitetail deer that used to be found more often in woodland landscapes have moved west. They might occupy an open niche, but they don't have the same impact as the massive herds of buffalo that once roamed the plains. Animals and organisms that relied on the impact of the bison – prairie chickens, prairie dogs just to name a few – are lost.

Similarly, the Passenger Pigeon used to migrate throughout the east and midwest in numbers that by an estimate where huge. Undoubtedly they played a similar role in that ecosystem at that time. What we lost at that time is difficult to say.

Passenger Pigeon former distribution in orange,
breeding grounds in red. Source:
 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Passenger_pigeon

Years ago, Jimmy Buffet wrote an article (that I can't find a link to) but it was a long the lines of "everything wants to eat a quail - including me." We know quail are natural prey for many predators and in trouble across most of their native range. As are ruffed grouse in many areas. Monarch butterflies the same. These are just the obvious examples.

We need to look and understand the critical issues and populations, and identify strongholds now so that we can move forward intelligently.

CJ Brown - My Semi-comfortable Home Lake

Paddling the north end of CJ Brown can avoid some of the weather some of the time. 

Paddling up Buck Creek from
CJ Brown can be an adventure. 

CJ Brown Reservoir and Buck Creek State Park have to be considered my home lake due to proximity, although I also have to admit that I don't fish it well. And I don't like admitting that. It is considered one of Ohio's best inland walleye lakes.

I have never never caught a walleye there or anywhere. My defense would be that I haven't put it the time to learn that species and have stuck to rivers and smaller ponds for most of my fishing. The deeper, south end isn't really small boat friendly. I think that's where the fish are.

Still, flatwater in the early morning is a common
at CJ, aka "The reservoir" if you're from Springfield. 

The north end however is ideal for small boats. It is very shallow and not conducive to big boats, so there's no excessive wake or waves. Groups of islands surround the mouth where Buck Creek enters the lake and help break up the wind that plagues the bigger sections of the water. However, there isn't much cover for game fish on what are essentially a freshwater flats.

The north end of CJ Brown is very shallow,
demonstrated here by Jurgen von Stillwater. 

On recents days however I have see whitetail deer, a bald eagle, carp, red fox and hosts of shore birds. Our first bird dog pointed her first wild pheasant there years ago, a feat I was unprepared for and didn't believe. I shot a rooster later from the opposite shore when I was prepared. Our new pup is getting a feel for it all there. It all makes for pleasant memories and a pleasant paddle.

Even if I never pull a walleye from her waters, I'm more than comfortable with that.

Leopold Benches @dogfishbeer Inn

Just a quick observation. You might know that I really like Leopold benches for their simplicity of design. And here they are stacked around a hotel. But not just any hotel, a hotel based around beer. But not justany beer,  really good beer. What a glorious combination.

2014 Trout Stocking

98,000 catchable trout will be stocked all over Ohio. In Clark County in Clark Lake (creative naming, around here
huh?) stocking will be March 27. It might not feel like spring all over, but it's time. No ice. Get out.

You can see the complete listing here. http://wildlife.ohiodnr.gov/fishing/trout-stocking-dates

The most recent radio show/podcast of Buckeye Sportsman had an interview on techniques to catch them. It might be slightly different than you'd expect since these fish are new to the outdoors. They're not Fish Ohio fish, but they're perfect for the table.

Snow Rollers in Ohio

A weather phenomenon that rarely happens, but apparently happend all over Ohio this winter of 2014. I actually watched this take place walking Jurgen that day. It was just bizarre. It starts like a flap of snow then rolls into what you see here. 

Meet Jürgen von Stillwater

Following in the footsteps of Sundance West Eva Diva (you never replace your first birddog) is another Sundance-line dog, Jurgen von Stillwater.

If you're familiar with the teutonic method of naming dogs, you'll recognize and appreciate this as the "J-litter" from Stillwater Kennels.

He came to our house on December 26th. He's growing fast and full of personality, but this has been a miserable winter in Ohio to introduce a pup. That said, he's what I would call nearly house-broken at this point. He whines to go out and has nearly from day one.

Come, sit (stay) and shake were all accomplished in short order. Uses his nose, has pointing tendencies. The only challenge really is the weather, puppy coat, and getting him enough exercise. Oh, and his beginnings as a lap dog, which he hasn't shed yet. He's a people dog, but doesn't think he's a person. I like that about shorthairs.

Stay tuned for rock picture updates, with a little luck.