SOME AREAS OF TEXAS WILL BENEFIT from a large carryover of last year’s quail; Other areas, not so much. (Photo by John Jefferson)
By John Jefferson
Just a couple of years ago, Texas was in a drought some thought would never end. Lakes were low; people asked if they’d ever come back. I hesitantly said they would. Always had.
Quail were scarce. Bird dog breeders had few customers, if any. Hunting was on hold. But then it started raining. An article about quail in the TPWD regulations pamphlet was entitled “Just Add Water”.
For the next two years, quail flourished from rainfall and much improved habitat. Hunters began purchasing pointers, again.
But two years is a lifetime in quail-years. The good times won’t last forever. Indications are that Texas won’t have the profuse quail it’s had the last year two years, but this should still be a good year in the Rolling Plains, South Texas, and in the Trans-Pecos for scaled (blue) quail.
The hurricane took a toll. In the flat areas near the coast, bobwhites may not have been able to get to high ground in time. They were also exposed to more predators, winged and otherwise. But where rain fell in moderation, it was beneficial.
Parts of South Texas were hot and dry during the summer – no surprise, there. That hurt nesting, but late summer rains associated with the hurricane may have saved the day, according to Robert Perez, TPWD’s veteran quail program leader.
Consequently, hunters could well see some young birds early in the season this fall. Despite reduced nesting during the summer, hunters should expect good hunting in areas of suitable habitat with good carryover of birds from last season.
Public hunting is available on the Chaparral and Daughtrey Wildlife Management Areas in South Texas.
The Rolling Plains (San Angelo, north) had slightly lower production this year than last, but a high carryover from last year’s bumper crop will mean a slightly above-average hunting season, there, with mostly adult birds.
The Gene Howe and Matador Wildlife Management Areas offer public hunting in that region.
In far West Texas, TPWD field reports tell of large coveys of blue (scaled) quail with multiple age classes. Late summer rains really helped.
Billy Tarrant, regional wildlife director, quoted his staff as saying that this season should be as good as last year, and the last two seasons have been excellent.
Good carryover from 2016 should make this season a success. High populations exist on both the Black Gap and Elephant Mountain Wildlife Management Areas, which allow public hunting.
Other areas of Texas continue to have sparse wild quail populations and meager hunting, except on unusually well-managed places.
Texas quail fortunes vary like the wind and rise and fall depending upon the weather. We’ve had two good years, and history tells us we may be on the back nine.
If hunters can find a place to hunt, they should jump on it. It might be a long wait before the opportunity comes again.
Quail season is the only game season in Texas that is standardized throughout every county: October 28-February 25, 2018.
