By Amy O. Maxwell, USDA-NRCS
Communications and Marketing Specialist

With quail hunting season approaching, Davant Plantation in Ridgeland, South Carolina, will soon host corporate groups eager to enjoy a day of hunting. The gorgeous 2,500-acre plantation is home to Rutledge Moore and family who purchased the land in 1991. Five years ago, Moore hired Stan Wells as the plantation’s general manager. Wells, who has over 20 years experience in farming and wildlife habitat management, was given the responsibility of turning the plantation into a top-notch quail hunting preserve. Wells’ experience, passion for wildlife, and determination inspired him to restore some of the original habitat that was carelessly destroyed on the plantation years ago. Working with NRCS Soil Conservationist Elizabeth Jackson, Wells has utilized the Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP) to help accomplish his goals in restoring the plantation.

In the 1980’s, a portion of the forested plantation was clear-cut for monetary profit, destroying the delicate biological diversity and lush wildlife habitat that existed. Wells confirmed that, "Rutledge wanted me to try and correct some of the damage that was done to this habitat, which I have been striving to do here for the past five years." Reforestation began immediately, and loblolly and longleaf pines were established. Wells learned about the technical and financial assistance available from NRCS’ WHIP and wanted to get involved.

"WHIP has worked well for the Davant Plantation because they have the acreage to create diversity for wildlife and they can experiment with different plants and techniques," Jackson said. "At Davant Plantation there is a great opportunity for intensive management that small operations cannot achieve because of limited acreage or labor." Specifically focusing on forest management for bobwhite quail, Jackson and Wells devised a plan to enhance the area for quail which in turn also attracted more deer and wild turkey. The WHIP plan included conservation practices such as timber thinning, plantings for wildlife, and prescribed burning.

Prescribed burning is practiced at the plantation to improve under story forage production for wildlife. This practice proves to be one of the most successful for managing bobwhite quail and is beneficial by: removing litter, making food easier to locate, germinating important food-producing seeds that need burned areas to thrive, and producing newly sprouted vegetation that attracts and produces abundant insect populations.

A drive through the plantation early one morning is enough to prove the undeniable success of wildlife habitat improvement resulting from WHIP. Rounding the corner as the car approaches an open field, a flock of wild turkeys scatters into the woods. Along another tree-lined road, numerous groups of deer quickly disappear into the trees. There is no wonder wildlife abounds at the plantation after viewing the healthy and abundant wildlife food plots. Tall and hearty stands of partridge pea, millet, and sorghum provide food and shelter for quail and other wildlife while Chuffa fields provide food for wild turkey.

Davant Plantation has benefited from WHIP and the results are obvious. South Carolina’s quail population has plummeted by 50 percent since the 1980’s and here on the plantation, wildlife habitat improvement has succeeded in stopping that decline. With Wells’ expertise and dedication, and NRCS financial and technical assistance, coveys of quail will continue to be a common sight on the plantation rather than a rarity. "I love my 2,500-acre office here at the plantation," commented Wells. And with a smile he enthusiastically returns to work in the breathtakingly beautiful surroundings.