When we received Sam Reed's entry in the Budweiser/Quail Unlimited Adopt-A-Covey competition for private landowners for the western region, the percentage of the ranch dedicated to quail habitat was impressive. After visiting the Reed Ranch near New Cuyuma, California, we were even more impressed. Other than a few acres set aside for human habitat the entire ranch is dedicated to upland habitat.
The 160-acre ranch is all about the birds. As in most of southern California, water is critical. Reed has developed guzzlers in every corner of the ranch, as well as one in the middle. He is continuing to develop native plants preferred by California quail for food, cover, and roosting. Mid-August was an ideal time to visit the Reed Ranch as many of thenatural water sources had gone dry, mostly from changes in land use and the extended drought.
Reed says that from his newly completed patio deck he can watch a covey of quail working the "kitchen window guzzler." He likes to get up early, fix a cup of coffee, and watch the birds and other wildlife as they use one of the many water sites he has established. We (QU and his friends in the Ventura Chapter) build these guzzlers for quail and chukar, but other wildlife uses them, too.
Reed bought the ranch four years ago with upland habitat as the primary purpose;
however, he also had a little shotgun recreation in mind. He has a five-stand
clays setup to enjoy with friends. He uses it to help out with the annual
Ventura Chapter fund-raiser as well. His future plans include a day hunt club
with pens for raising chukar for club members.
In addition, Reed uses the ranch as a staging area for the Ventura Chapter's
habitat projects. He services about a dozen guzzlers from his ranch.
"I'm really proud to be the winner of the Regional Adopt-A-Covey award from
Budweiser," said Reed. He's a little worried about his bragging rights gate
sign. "I just hang it out when I'm on the ranch. No sense in tempting folks."
-- Submitted by Dick Haldeman, QU Western
Regional Director
Chapters Only • Habitat Successes • Contact Us • Home 
