South Texas, Trans-Pecos bright spots for quail hunting

Quail hunting will likely be more challenging across much of Texas this year due to the drought.

“Heading into last winter, I think we were all excited from the growing season rainfall we had. Unfortunately, once we hit December, we sort-of started the long march into drought, and that extended all the way into the spring,” John McLaughlin, upland gamebird program leader for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD), said. “Right now, the prospects for Northern Bobwhite are probably below-average for much of the state, but we do have some bright spots.”

While a milder winter might normally bode well for quail, the warmer, drier weather persisted for too long and ended up impacting quail habitat conditions.

The hot, dry weather also led to little early season breeding activity. The unrelenting heat this summer then limited any meaningful gains quail populations might have made.

When TPWD conducted its annual Quail Roadside Survey in August, they noted one area of the state was somewhat cushioned from these factors that led to quail declines in other areas of the state–South Texas.

South Texas

“In South Texas last year, despite our low counts on our roadside surveys, folks saw very good hunting opportunities. They were pushing 10-20 coveys even late into the season last year,” McLaughlin said in an interview with the Texas Farm Bureau Radio Network. “We know that South Texas had pretty good carryover from 2021, and our roadside counts were up in that part of the state.”

The South Texas Plains were the only bobwhite region of the state to see an increase in recorded abundance.

“If folks were looking for opportunities in South Texas, the area around Bee, McMullen, Duval, and Live Oak counties is probably going to provide the best opportunity,” McLaughlin said.

In South Texas, TPWD observed 5.26 bobwhite per route this year, up from 3.1 last year.

McLaughlin forecasts average conditions across the region this hunting season.

Rolling Plains

Hunters will likely also have better success in the northeast panhandle along the Canadian River watershed and in places like the Gene Howe Wildlife Management Area.

“We know that despite most of North and West Texas not getting good rainfall, or timely rainfall this year, that region was the outlier,” McLaughlin said. “We had good range conditions, good habitat conditions, and we believe there was some good production up there.”

Exceptional heat likely dampened quail reproductive activity elsewhere in the Rolling Plains. Few chick sightings were reported in late season reports.

“Unfortunately, we set a new record low on our roadside counts this year. While there is, of course, going to be spots of good hunting, depending on the habitat, depending on rainfall conditions across the region, I would say, generally, that’s probably not going to be the best bang for your buck,” McLaughlin said.

TPWD forecasts below-average hunting conditions across the region.

Hunters are encouraged to scout ahead.

The average number of bobwhites per route was .86 compared to 1.5 in 2021.

In the High Plains, .78 bobwhites were recorded per route, down from 2.33 last year due to the drought.

Cross Timbers

This year, biologists noted bobwhite quail in areas they’re typically not seen in the Cross Timbers region. However, McLaughlin notes that will be a footnote in a year when belowaverage abundance and hunting opportunities are expected in the region.

“They had great growing season grass growth last year, which meant there was a lot of habitat. Unfortunately, there just weren’t a lot of birds in that region to take advantage of that good rainfall,” McLaughlin said. “Then, as we entered 2022, we entered into a drought and really didn’t get any measurable rain until the midsummer.”

Quail hunting in the Cross Timbers is expected to be below-average this year.

The average number of bobwhites per route this year was .23, down from .51 last year.

Gulf Coast

A lack of good, quality habitat and insects in the Gulf Coasts led to a declining number of quail in that area as well this year.

“In that coastal region, we actually prefer it to be a little bit drier. We get a little bit more rainfall on the coast, it can tend to flood some areas and create a little bit too much moisture, especially for Bobwhites, who are a ground-nesting bird,” McLaughlin said. “We started off a little bit drier in that part of the state, but unfortunately, I think drought was an issue there. Then, late season rainfall probably didn’t help them out as much.”

The area is expected to have below-average quail hunting conditions.

TPWD’s roadside surveys revealed an average of 2.50 per route, down from 4.40 in 2021.

East Texas

There isn’t an observable quail population in East Texas and the Piney Woods.

Trans-Pecos

As for the Trans-Pecos, McLaughlin said there’s room for optimism for blue, or scaled, quail thanks to widely-dispersed habitat and timely rainfall.

“Another positive we have this year, outside the bobwhites in South Texas are the blue quail out in West Texas,” McLaughlin said. “We actually saw a threefold increase in the birds observed on our roadside counts, which I don’t think is going to mean a threefold increase in population. I think it’s an indicator that there’s going to be good opportunity for blue quail if you’re willing to head out to the most remote region of our state.”

The Trans-Pecos continues to be Texas’ top producing ecoregion for blue quail.

TPWD recorded 13.06 blue quail per route this year, up from 4.33 last year.

Blue quail hunting in other regions of the state is expected to be below-average this year due to lower population numbers, poor habitat and below-average rainfall.

Gambel’s Quail

In Texas, hunters can bag bobwhite quail, blue (scaled) quail and Gambel’s quail.

Texas sits on the very eastern fringe of the national Gambel’s quail population.

“Most of their populations are in Arizona and New Mexico, so we just have the small eastern portion of their range along the Rio Grande out there in West Texas,” McLaughlin said.

TPWD does not conduct roadside surveys for Gambel’s quail in West Texas. Those who wish to hunt Gambel’s are encouraged to contact a TPWD biologist in the area they hope to hunt in for more information on hunting prospects.

Regulations

Quail hunters are more likely to have success in areas with good ground cover resources this year. “In areas that have been devoid of cover for some time, if you’ve been watching a particular property, you are probably less likely to see birds,” McLaughlin said. “This recent rainfall is probably going to complicate things a little bit because it will look like there’s more cover, but generally, areas that have good grass cover, good shrub cover and just your normal standard quail habitat, that’s where you’re going to get the best bang for your buck.”

There are no changes to quail hunting regulations this year.

The bag limit remains at 15 birds per day with a 45-bird possession limit.

Quail hunting season statewide is Oct. 29 through Feb. 26 for bobwhite, scaled and Gambel’s quail.

Hunting Montezuma (Mearn’s) quail remains prohibited.

Quail hunters are required to have a valid Texas hunting license and an Upland Game Bird Endorsement. Those born on or after Sept. 2, 1971 are required to carry proof they’ve completed Hunter Education or have an approved deferral.