Assessing the efficacy of electronic quail callers in attracting stubble quail and non-target predators

Abstract

Hunting is a prominent feature of many human societies. Advancements in hunting technologies can challenge the ethics and sustainability of hunting globally. We investigated the efficacy of an electronic acoustic lure (‘quail caller’), in attracting the otherwise difficult-to hunt stubble quail Coturnix pectoralis in Victoria, Australia. Using distance sampling, the density and abundance of stubble quail was estimated at 79 sites across a range of habitat types in an agricultural setting, each with an active ‘quail caller’ station continuously broadcasting for 48 hours, and a control station (no broadcast). Quail detectability at the active stations (62.9%) far exceeded that at control stations (6.3%). Most (57%) detections occurred within 30 m of active ‘quail callers’. Stubble quail relative abundance was substantially greater when ‘quail callers’ were broadcasting. Cameras mounted near ‘quail callers’ identified the predatory red fox as a non-target predator, although rates of attraction appear similar between active and control sites. ‘Quail callers’ are highly effective at attracting stubble quail and concentrating them to a known area, raising questions in relation to sustainable hunting practices, indirect effects, and ethical implications. ‘Quail callers’ do, however, also offer a tool for estimating quail abundance and developing more accurate population size estimates.

Lead contamination in Australian game meat

“…Stubble quail ( Coturnix pectoralis ) are small (~100 g) ground-dwelling galliforms (Hampton et al, 2022c ) and are one of very few native non-waterfowl bird species that can be legally hunted in Australia, and the only such species that can be hunted in the state of Victoria. They are commonly harvested using shotguns and gundogs on privately owned agricultural land and public lands (game reserves) (Ray et al, 2022 ). Currently, approximately 200,000 stubble quail are harvested annually in Victoria by approximately 28,000 licenced hunters (Moloney et al, 2022 ); all are destined for human consumption, and most are hunted with lead shot (Hampton et al, 2022c ).…”