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

Many researchers and managers believe that land-use practices are most resp onsible for declines in northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) populations . Additionally, researchers have suggested that the amount of available esc ape cover in a landscape could alter winter survival of bobwhites. A compar ative study of winter bobwhite ecology was conducted on rangeland and cropl and 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 fo r quail. We used radiotelemetry to investigate survival, movement, and cove r-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). Sur vival was higher on the CSA (0.46) than on the RSA (0.27) (P = 0.03); the d ifference was due to increased harvest mortality on the RSA (P = 0.04). Mea n daily covey movement was higher on the RSA than on the CSA (P < 0.01). Co mparing cover-type selection between study areas, it was found that bobwhit es selected cropland more on the RSA than on the CSA (P < 0.01). On the RSA , increased daily movement correlated with decreased selection for woody co ver and increased selection for cropland (P < 0.02). On the CSA, increased woody-cover selection decreased natural predation (P = 0.03). On the RSA, d ecreased movement, increased woody cover, and decreased pasture selection r educed natural predation (P < 0.05). However, increased woody-cover selecti on increased harvest mortality (P < 0.01). Consequently, we consider the se lection for woody cover to be an important variable in bobwhite survival on the RSA. It is suggested that landowners on rangelands could reduce natura l mortality by taking advantage of programs available from federal and stat e governments and nongovernmental organizations, to increase woody cover fo r bobwhites.