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Bobwhite quail populations have declined in East Tennessee by more than 70 percent since 1980. A key part of the recovery of quail — and grouse — is habitat restoration. Local landowners can play a vital roll in that recovery by providing habitat on their property, and they can get paid to do it in this federal program.
A special enrollment period for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and Wildlife Incentives Program is now underway, sponsored by the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation. The USDA will cost-share with landowners that develop or improve quality bobwhite habitat. The pay rate varies from 75-90 percent of expenditures.

The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency managed to get 28 counties qualified for EQIP funds this year. Counties in Region IV include Loudon, Monroe, Greene, and Hawkins; counties in Region III include Cumberland, Meigs, McMinn, and Rhea. Funds are granted on a first-come basis. The signup period began June 15 and will continue through July 15.

In addition to the USDA cost-share, the TWRA has an incentive payment for the new habitat to the tune of $100 per acre. Application can be made at the USDA Service Centers in the listed counties.

n Whitetails Unlimited is a national conservation organization that began in 1982 and is working to preserve the American hunting tradition. Besides the good work it does, there is another reason to consider joining now.

WTU is continuing its Member Appreciation Program through the entire year of 2010. Five members will be chosen at random every week to receive a merchandise prize worth on average about $200. The estimated cumulative retail value of all prizes to be awarded will exceed $100,000. Winners are posted daily on the WTU Web site www.whitetails

unlimited.com. The Website also has the official rules for the giveaway.
WTU members need do nothing to be eligible for the Membership Appreciation Program. Others can join now by visiting the above Website or by calling 800-274-5471.

n The fifth annual Hunting Heritage Banquet will be held on July 18 at Green Meadows Country Club. The sponsor is the Little T Longbeards Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation. Festivities will begin at 6 p.m. with a social hour, then dinner and live and silent auctions.

Available auction items include: Art prints and sculptures by Thomas Kinkade, Terry Redlin and Jack Paluh; firearms such as the Winchester Super X-3 and the Ruger LCP; and a variety of other sporting goods.

The Grand Prize is an all-expense paid Osceola turkey hunt that includes guides, taxidermy for your trophy, a Mossberg tactical shotgun, a hunting vest loaded with calls, and $250 cash for your trip’s gasoline and license.

For tickets contact Chris Russell at 548-7000 or Lee Crisp at 742-2469.

Tom Wiest welcomes news, questions and comments from readers. Contact him at wiest.tom@gmail.com.