The efficacy of translocation as a tool to augment populations of Gambel’s quail

Translocation is a valuable management strategy that can be used to augment and reestablish populations or increase the range of a species by establishing new populations. Gambel’s quail (Callipepla gambelii) are a popular game species and are the only native upland game bird in many desert areas of the American Southwest, making them an important species for management by state wildlife agencies. Drought may be a driver in the population decline of Gambel’s quail; however, quail in urban environments, such as golf courses, are abundant due to more reliable sources of food, water, and cover. We aim to assess whether translocation of urban quail following a wet winter, when resources are plentiful in their native habitat, might allow us to increase the rate at which extant populations are able to recover following drought periods by capitalizing on the high reproductive capacity of quail.