Efficacy of quail callers in attracting Stubble Quail (Coturnix pectoralis) in Western Victoria

Hunting has long been, and continues to be, a fundamental component of human societies. In modern times the technological advances available for hunters (such as electronic acoustic lures) means that an understanding of the efficacy of these new technologies is critical for ethical and sustainable game management. This research investigated the efficacy of quail callers, a type of electronic acoustic lure, in attracting Stubble Quail (Coturnix pectoralis) across western Victoria, Australia. Using distance sampling, the density and abundance of Stubble Quail were determined in response to active callers (QG-25 Multisound quail caller) broadcasting Stubble Quail calls continuously for 48 hours and control callers (same quail caller producing no sound for 48 hours). There was a significant difference in the densities of quail in response to active and control treatments (P <0.01) where active treatments received significantly higher detections of Stubble Quail than control treatments. Truncation of the distance transect survey data allowed for density estimation, which was estimated at 0.57 quail per hectare in control treatments and 16.56 quail per hectare in active treatments. A mean of 14 quail were detected at active post-treatment transects (after 48 hours of callers playing calls) and a mean of less than one quail was detected at all other transects (pre-treatment surveys of control and active treatments and post-treatment surveys of control treatments). Most quail detections occurred within 30 m of the quail callers and there was no strong difference in response of predators attracted to active and control callers. The findings of this research call attention to the obvious efficacy of quail callers and highlight the need for review of management options regarding the use of quail callers in Stubble Quail hunting in Victoria.