Bobwhite 85 



tion is in working order. And this machinery must be something better than the 

 buying of Mexican stock for replanting. 



The figures inserted in the open season spaces on Chart 4 show the pro- 

 gressive changes in bag limits. The present limits in the open States run from 10 

 to 15 quail per day. 



Quail Refuges. Quail refuges are the only device, other than restriction 

 of seasons and bag limits, so far tried out in this region as a means of preventing 

 over-killing of quail. 



Each of the States in the north central region has tried out leased refuges, 

 more or less with the idea of protecting quail. For reasons to be later discussed 

 in the chapter on game administration, these leased refuges are not considered a 

 fair trial of the refuge idea. 



Missouri is in process of actually acquiring ownership of a system of refuges, 

 partly with the idea of managing quail. Map 8 shows the location of this sys- 

 tem. A circle of 10-mile radius is shown around each refuge. 



The previous discussion of quail movements indicates the improbability 

 that quail breeding stock would flow out from a refuge with sufficient freedom 

 to restock a zone 10 miles wide each year. A 10-mile zone has been allowed, 

 however, to give the refuge system every benefit of the doubt. A glance at the 

 map is sufficient to show that even if the present refuge system were considerably 

 enlarged and extended, it could hardly feed breeding stock into more than a small 

 portion of the State. This is merely another way of saying that it is doubtful 

 whether refuges alone are an effective device for maintaining a breeding stock of 

 non-mobile species like quail, unless the natural flow be augmented by artificial 

 means. 



Fortunately it is entirely practicable to do this. The practice of intensive 

 management upon each refuge would certainly produce enough stock to allow 

 the annual trapping of as many or even somewhat more birds than could be safely 

 shot on the same area. These trapped birds could then be shipped to restock 

 hunting grounds wherever needed. The cost per pair of wild quail thus produced 

 by natural methods would certainly be less than the cost per pair of quail raised 

 in pens by artificial methods, which cost is seldom less than $5 to $6. At the 

 same time the wild trapped stock would be much superior for restocking purposes. 



Charges for Quail Shooting. Paid shooting exists in the region in two 

 forms, each to a very limited extent: (1) leased preserves and (2) "toll" 

 charges per man per day. 



Very little information was obtained on the lease rates paid for quail pre- 

 serves. Some of them are owned outright and hence of course pay no lease. 

 The small amount of information at hand indicates that the lease rates are 

 similar to those prevailing in the southeastern States, namely 10 to 15 cents per 

 acre per year. 



All that was learned about toll charging is summarized in the following table. 



