Rolling Plains Quail Research Foundation

10/08/2026

We recently had the pleasure of welcoming a class of Master Naturalists to the Rolling Plains Quail Research Ranch as part of their course—and we loved having them at the ranch!

During their visit, the group learned about the history of the ranch, the research we are working on, and the importance of habitat management, including ground cover and available food sources for quail

We took a tour of the ranch, where the group participated in a hands-on activity evaluating fields and putting their newfound knowledge to the test.

We love sharing what we do and helping others learn more about quail research, wildlife and habitat management. Thank you to the Master Naturalists for joining us—we had a great time hosting you! 🐦🌱

10/06/2026

Meet the newest member of the RPQRF team! 👋

Michael Conatser joins us as our new Ranch Manager. Originally from Stephenville, Texas, Michael brings a lifelong passion for the outdoors, wildlife, and conservation. He recently moved to Rotan with his wife and three children and is excited to call the Rolling Plains home.🪶

Learn more about Michael and his background in our full bio on the RPQRF website using the link in the comments!📰

10/02/2026

📅📰NEW MONTH, NEW NEWSLETTER📰📅

Our October E-Quail Newsletter is here! Click the link below to read up on all of the latest updates from the Rolling Plains Quail Research Foundation, including:

💸 Hunting Effects on Local Economies
🔢 Roadside Counts
👥 New RPQRF Team Member
🎙️ New Dr. Dale on Quail Podcast Episode

If you’re not signed up to receive our E-Quail Newsletter, WHY NOT? Get these updates on the first of every month right to your email by signing up using the link in the comments!

Read it here: https://mailchi.mp/quailresearch.org/rpqrf-e-quail-newsletter-october-17014673

As I write this, I am traveling north to Wyoming for a nine-day bird hunting trip. My quarry will include Hungarian partridge, chukar, sage grouse, and ruffed grouse. Like most traveling hunters, however, the birds are only part of the trip.

09/30/2026

📢🚨ICYMI! In our September e-Quail Newsletter, we announced Joshua Ray as the first recipient to the Brad and Melissa Ribelin Outstanding Volunteer Award.🏆

📰The October e-Quail Newsletter comes out TOMORROW!!📰

Until then, read about the award below and other articles in the newsletter using the link in the comments!! And don't forget to sign up so that you don't miss other news and stories that come from The Foundation.🗞️

🎖️🎖️Outstanding Volunteer: First of its Kind🎖️🎖️

During our time in East Texas, between hearing quail calling and learning about habitat management in the Pineywoods, the Rolling Plains Quail Research Foundation wanted to highlight the hard work of people who are dedicated to our mission to preserve Texas’ heritage of wild quail hunting.

RPQRF Executive Director Dr. Ryan O’Shaughnessy announced the Brad and Melissa Ribelin Outstanding Volunteer Award during the third session of QuailMasters. He presented the award to QuailMaster student Joshua Ray.

“In the past, we have never had a way to honor and acknowledge supporters who help us out in ways that are not financially related. Lots of recognition goes to those who write us big checks, but there are people like Josh who have helped us in other ways, such as providing labor and volunteering time at the ranch to help build and fix things,” Dr. O’Shaughnessy said.

Ray was surprised, to say the least, to be chosen as the first recipient.

“I’m humbled and honored to receive this award. I’m honored that it was named after Brad and Melissa Ribelin as I think very highly of them,” Ray said. “I always enjoy going out to the research ranch because of the great people, and I learn something new about quail every time.”

The Ribelins, longtime friends and supporters of the Rolling Plains Quail Research Foundation, are landowners near Aspermont who have generously opened their ranch to the Foundation whenever asked. Whether cooking meals to welcome new research technicians, providing opportunities for hands-on quail management, or opening their gates for field days to share their conservation efforts with other landowners and land managers, their hospitality and commitment to quail conservation have made a lasting impact.

“We wanted to honor them with more than just an award, so we thought naming the award after them would be more appropriate,” Dr. O’Shaughnessy said.

This award is presented to highlight outstanding volunteer work when the foundation deems it appropriate. It is not a yearly award, but it will be given when they see someone who deserves recognition for their selflessness.

Ray was presented with an award he can personally keep, and there is now an award hung at the research ranch with his and future recipients’ names.

09/24/2026

We interrupt your regularly scheduled programming for a very important game… CAPTION THIS BADGER! 🦡

One of our quail interns, Bailey, spotted this little guy roaming around the research ranch, and now we need YOUR creativity!

👇 What would you caption this badger? 👇

Drop your best caption in the comments below! We’ll pick a winner next week, and the winning caption will:

✨ Be turned into a graphic and shared right here on Facebook
📰 Be featured in next month’s e-Quail Newsletter

Badgers are powerful diggers that primarily hunt burrowing rodents! They’re also distantly related to the African Honey Badger and the Rolling Plains provide the perfect environment for them to thrive!🕳️💪

So… what do you think this badger is thinking? Let the caption contest begin! 🦡💬

Do you have badgers where you live? Let us know in the comments!

09/21/2026

We are deeply saddened by the passing of Delmar Smith. He was true legend in the bird dog world and leaves behind an incredible legacy.

We are grateful to have known and admired such a remarkable man, and we join Park Cities Quail in remembering his life and accomplishments.
Our heartfelt condolences and prayers are with the entire Smith family during this difficult time. May Delmar rest in peace.❤️🪽

We were saddened to learn of the passing of Delmar Smith yesterday. Delmar reached the age of 100 earlier this year, and was still as sharp as ever. He was widely regarded as the greatest bird dog trainer of all time, and has a permanent place in the Bird Dog Hall of Fame at the National Bird Dog Museum.

We hope you will enjoy watching this video linked below of Delmar receiving our T. Boone Pickens Lifetime Sportsman Award in 2016. Boone and Delmar were lifelong friends and “pure bred and registered Okies”, as Delmar was always eager to say. Rest in peace, Delmar. Our prayers are with the Smith family.

https://youtu.be/HzMdz8I5eMw

Photo credit: Covey Rise Magazine

09/18/2026

🛻🐦ROADSIDE SURVEYS ARE UNDERWAY🪶🐦

The Rolling Plains Quail Research Foundation is currently conducting its annual roadside quail surveys across the Research Ranch. 🌵

These surveys are an important part of monitoring quail populations and tracking how numbers fluctuate from year to year. 📈

Our research team drives designated routes and records the quail they observe along the way, providing valuable data on quail abundance across the ranch.🗒️

The surveys will continue through late October,
and is one of the many ways we count birds throughout the year. We also conduct spring call counts, fall covey counts, and helicopter surveys.🍂🚁

These efforts provide another important piece of the puzzle as we work to better understand and conserve our Texas quail populations.🐦

If you’re also doing roadside surveys, we’d love to see! Drop your own quail sightings in the comments below! ⬇️🪶

09/15/2026

💙💛 GOOD LUCK BEN & KIRBY! 💛💙

The RPQRF team is wishing Ben Baldridge and Kirby Miller the very best of luck as they compete today for a National FFA title in Agriscience! 🏆

For the past several months, Ben and Kirby have poured countless hours into their Agriscience project, studying the effects of supplemental feeding on insect abundance for northern bobwhite quail.

They have worked closely with the team here at RPQRF, and we couldn’t be more proud of their hard work, dedication, and determination!

Back in August, they received the incredible news that they were TOP TEN IN THE NATION! 🇺🇸 They have continued practicing, studying, and preparing for their national interview, and today is the big day!

We’ll be cheering them on as they head to Indianapolis, Indiana, to take the stage at Lucas Oil Stadium during the 99th National FFA Convention on October 24, where they will receive their final results.

Good luck, Ben and Kirby! We are so proud of you both and can’t wait to see what you accomplish! 🎉👏🐦

09/12/2026

🐮🎙️NEW PODCAST ALERT🎙️🐮

Happy Saturday!

Need something to do this weekend? It's the perfect time to listen to a new Dr. Dale on Quail podcast episode!

Join Dr. Dale and his special guests Weston Siler and Brent Robertson as they explore "virtual fencing" as a new GPS-approach to managing livestock.

Listen to the podcast below and check out our website in the comments to the links to previous episodes.

Cattle grazing is a 2-edged sword for quail managers. It’s a matter of tailoring grazing pressure according to a quail’s need for cover. Join Dr. Dale and his special guests Weston Siler and Brent Robertson as they explore “vitual fencing” as a new GPS-approach to where cows graze. Think of ...

09/11/2026

Today marks 25 years since September 11, 2001.

We remember and honor the thousands of innocent lives lost that day, as well as the brave men and women who lost their lives in the years that followed due to illnesses and complications from their service at Ground Zero.

We will never forget the courage, sacrifice and strength shown in the face of unimaginable tragedy.

Today, we are especially thankful for all those who serve and protect our country — our first responders, military members, law enforcement officers, firefighters, medical professionals and all who put the safety of others before their own.

25 years later, we remember. We honor. We give thanks. And we will never forget. 🇺🇸