Ames has long been famous for Quail Research.
However, wildlife research at Ames has included work on Coopers Hawks, the ecology of small mammals, mesopredators, quail, beaver, songbirds, deer, coyotes, and various relationships between them. The breadth of study has been amazing and many wildlife graduate students have accomplished their projects on Ames. These projects often embrace the entire property because animals have wide ranges or the study needs a wide representation of habitats.
For the past 15 years Ames has had a Nationally known Quality Deer Management Program. 
The results of the QDM program is a healthy herd with more bucks in older age classes and an occasional very pleased hunter. 
The data gained from the program have been seen across the nation and are highly instructive to deer management. 
A recent development in western Tennessee is the discovery of Chronic Wasting Disease. The Ames herd was not spared. Ames is developing an increasing focus on research related to herd-health issues, and the distribution and fate of the causative prion. 
The Membership meets every year to discuss new research. During the 2020-21 season, hunters will collect hair for genetic studies and fecal pellets for research to see if dogs can detect CWD by smell. Ames will move toward effectively bringing new information to light that will help understand the ecology of host, habitat and this dreadful disease agent. 
A Coopers Hawk ready to be released with a tracking collar. 
This red-shouldered hawk was caught and leg tagged during a study on the overwintering habitat of Coopers Hawks.