Cowley County Quail Forever plans spring habitat projects, fall banquet
ARKANSAS CITY — Hunters and conservationists from Cowley County have formed the state's newest Quail Forever chapter, Cowley County Quail Forever. The group has plans to protect, restore, and enhance bobwhite quail habitat in southcentral Kansas.

The Cowley County group will use Quail Forever's approach to wildlife habitat conservation, which allows local chapters to decide how 100 percent of their fundraising dollars are spent. This local control gives chapters and members the ability to make things happen for habitat in their communities, while belonging to a national organization that gives wildlife and conservation a voice in Washington, D.C.

"In our first year as a Quail Forever chapter, our focus is to establish ties with surrounding communities and get people to help improve quail habitat," said Justin Nulik, an Arkansas City resident and president of Cowley County Quail Forever. "In particular, we look forward to having conversations with area farmers and private landowners because they are the real keys to creating upland bird habitat."

Other chapter leaders include Dan Durbin, treasurer, Winfield; Bret Pudden, habitat chair, Arkansas City; and Jeff Swanson, youth/education chair, Arkansas City.

Several specific events are planned for the year ahead. Spring 2010 projects will include establishing food and cover plots and prescribed burns and conducting a trap shoot at Dexter City Club (dates yet to be finalized). The first fundraising banquet will be held in Winfield on Saturday, Oct. 23.

To join Cowley County Quail Forever or for more information about the chapter, phone Nulik at 620-441-7745 or email Justin.Nulik@BNSF.com, or phone Pudden at 620-660-2918 or email bpudden@rangerecorces.com. For additional information, go online to www.PheasantsForever.org or www.QuailForever.org.
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