For the last 30 years, the northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) has experienced population declines over most of their range. Bobwhite decline can be attributed to site level habitat changes as well as landscape level changes. The effects of habitat management on quail populations must be measured at differing scales to determine the level of management needed to produce a noticeable increase in abundance. I will examine habitat suitability characteristics in Wayne County, Illinois to determine if alternate management of currently enrolled CRP lands will lead to increased bobwhite abundance. I will also determine the expected increase in bobwhite abundance if additional land is obtained and placed in wildlife habitat improvement incentive programs. I also will determine the cost of removing critical parcels of land needed for bobwhite habitat improvement from production to examine the economic feasibility of large scale management plans.
