Habitat use and survival of northern bobwhite (<i>Colinus virginianus</i>) in cropland and rangeland ecosystems during the hunting season

Abstract

Many researchers and managers believe that land-use practices are most responsible for declines in northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) populations. Additionally, researchers have suggested that the amount of available escape cover in a landscape could alter winter survival of bobwhites. A comparative study of winter bobwhite ecology was conducted on rangeland and cropland ecosystems in east-central Kansas (11 November - 31 January 1993-1996). We considered woody cover type on our study areas to be an escape cover for quail. We used radiotelemetry to investigate survival, movement, and cover-type selection. Over the 3-year period, we monitored 91 individuals on a cropland study area (CSA) and 66 birds on a rangeland study area (RSA). Survival was higher on the CSA (0.46) than on the RSA (0.27) (P = 0.03); the difference was due to increased harvest mortality on the RSA (P = 0.04). Mean daily covey movement was higher on the RSA than on the CSA (P < 0.01). Comparing cover-type selection between study ar...