Seeking 2 Graduate Research Assistants at the Ph.D. level (but truly outstanding M.S. applicants may be considered) to conduct a 5-year study to assess reasons for northern bobwhite declines in Illinois. Primary objectives are to: (1) Estimate vital demographic rates (e.g., density, survival, productivity) of selected bobwhite populations; (2) Assess the influence of habitat on bobwhite demographic characteristics; and (3) Model the impacts of various factors influencing survival (e.g., predation, poor habitat quality, bag limits, season length, late-season harvest, and harvest zones) and habitat management on bobwhite populations at local and large scales. This project will entail a variety of field techniques including bobwhite capture, radiotelemetry, habitat measurements, nest searc