From the early days of modem wildlife management through the present, brushpiles have been promoted as a management tool for small upland game. Brushpile design and use has changed little since pioneering field trials in Texas in the 1930's and 40's. In California, publications by the Department of Fish & Game and Cooperative Extension have ensconced brushpiles for managing California quail (Callipeplo californica). Current recommendations call for simple brushpiles with elevated foundations. Brushpiles should be 4.6-6.1 m in diameter and 1.8-2.4 m high. They should be placed no farther than 30 m from escape cover, or at a density of less than 4-5 brushpiles/ha. Despite current guidelines, there are no research-based data regarding optimum construction specifications, placement, replacement, or economics of brushpiles for California quail. Guidelines in textbooks and the popular literature are based on qualitative factors. Firewood cutting on California hardwood rangelands has created not only the raw material for brushpiles on thousands of hectares, but research and management opportunities for quail and nongame birds.
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