TX Quail Better But Not Great

Biologists at the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department say they are “cautiously optimistic” about quail prospects this season, which opened Oct. 30 statewide. But if you read below, looks like quail numbers are going to be down, though up from last year.

As we’ve said before, it DOESN’T MATTER. You’re Serious, so get out and hunt!

Highlights of the TX info:

> This past winter a two-year drought in the major quail hunting areas of the state was finally broken. Range conditions and, more importantly, nesting and brood rearing habitat greatly improved, setting the stage for a marked increase in production.

> BUT (there’s always a “but” in bird hunting!) “after two years of unfavorable weather, the number of quail available to breed had become quite low.” Robert Perez, TPWD upland game bird program leader, said: “Low carryover is the biggest obstacle to recovering quail populations.”

> But because “quail species are hardwired to take advantage of good reproductive environmental conditions…we expect a greatly improved season over last year – but a hen can only do so much in one year. Given another wet winter and spring we could expect a much stronger rebound next season.”

Rolling Plains

> This region received timely winter, spring and summer rainfall resulting in excellent breeding conditions for bobwhite quail. The summer rains extended the window of opportunity for nesting. If a hen failed in her first attempt, there was ample time for a second attempt. The limiting factor was the number of birds available to breed. Field reports indicate that quail have made a strong comeback in areas that held birds last year. Other areas have improved as well but to a lesser extent. Scout ahead to be sure the areas you plan to hunt are holding birds.

> The average number of bobwhites observed per route was 8.0 compared to 6.6 last year. This is well below the long-term mean of 21.5. Despite low counts, enough young birds and coveys have been anecdotally reported that we suspect hunters will be able to find birds.

> Public hunting opportunities can be found at the Matador and the Gene Howe Wildlife Management Areas.

South Texas Plains

> Although considered one of the last strongholds for quail, south Texas is not immune to drought impacts on quail populations. The 2009 season was no exception and quail numbers were down. Consequently, it will effect the 2010 season.

> Same as everywhere, there should be greater nesting success and production of bobwhite quail this year on those properties that have carryover birds from last year.

> This region also experienced a wet winter, spring and summer, and few overly hot days. Cool-wet summers are ideal for quail reproduction but similar to the Rolling Plains, carryover was a limiting factor. The best opportunities will be on well managed sites that held over birds from last year.

> The average number of bobwhites observed per route was 8.61 compared to 5.2 last year. This is well below the long-term mean of 18.6 and is predictive of a below average hunting season.

> The Chaparral and the Daughtrey Wildlife Management Areas provide public quail hunting opportunities.

Trans-Pecos

> Portions of the Trans-Pecos ecological region received timely rainfall while other areas either missed the rains completely or received it at times less beneficial to scaled quail. As a result, reproduction varied across the region.

> Reports from the western edge of the Edwards Plateau (the Stockton Plateau) indicate an improvement over last year but still below average.

> The average number of scaled quail observed per route was 7.2 compared to 16.9 last year. This is below the long-term mean of 17.5.

> Public hunter opportunities can be found at Elephant Mountain and Black Gap Wildlife Management Areas.

Other Areas

> TPWD surveys indicate that bobwhite numbers in Gulf Prairies are similar to last season. Hunters should focus on the central and lower coast in native prairie habitats.

> The Cross Timbers and Edwards Plateau continue to report numbers well below their respective long-term means.

More

> The daily bag limit for quail is 15, with 45 in possession. Legal shooting hours for all non-migratory game birds are 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset. The bag limit is the maximum number that may be killed during the legal shooting hours in one day.

> More info here on the TPWD website.

Category: 2010, Forecasts/counts, Northern Bobwhite, Quail, Scaled quail, TX