Quail Forecast 2011-2012

Perspective

Statewide surveys were initiated in 1978 to monitor quail populations. This index uses randomly selected, 20-mile roadside survey lines to determine annual quail population trends by ecological region. This trend information helps determine relative quail populations among the regions of Texas. Comparisons can be made between the mean (average) number of quail observed per route this year and the long term mean (LTM) for quail seen within an ecological region. The quail survey was not designed to predict relative abundance for any area smaller than the ecological region.

Bobwhite quail hunting can be hit or miss in Texas considering these birds exist here on the very western edge of their distribution in the U.S. There are still vast expanses of suitable bobwhite habitat in the rangelands of South Texas and in the Rolling Plains, where in some years over a hundred thousand hunters flock to pursue these wary game birds. Bobs are limited in these regions by rainfall, more specifically the lack thereof.

Carryover From Last Season

Quail were in recovery during the summer of 2010 after prolonged drought. Although numbers did improve, Texas is now in the midst of the worst one-year drought on record and has been in the “Extraordinary” drought category for most of the summer. There were no appreciable rains in the spring or summer of 2011 which has major implications for ground nesting birds like bobwhite and scaled quail. With few exceptions, range conditions are poor and nesting and brood rearing habitat is greatly limited. Carryover will play a major role in those areas with huntable numbers of birds.

Quail Survey Data in Major Ecological Regions

For quail survey data on a region, click its name in the list below.

Rolling Plains

Due to dry conditions, this region has had millions of acres burned in wildfires. Burned areas will likely provide good habitat after future rainfall events but for now they offer very little cover for quail and other wildlife. Field reports indicate that the northern Rolling Plains has received some late rains which may contribute to late summer production.

The average number of bobwhites observed per route was 5.3 compared to 8.0 last year. This is well below the LTM of 21.0 and is a new record low. Despite low counts, pockets of quail remain in areas with residual cover that received a little rainfall. Public hunting opportunities can be found at the Gene Howe Wildlife Management Areas and to a limited extent at the Matador WMA where wildfires have burned at least 40% of the area.

South Texas Plains

This region also experienced drought conditions through most of the summer although there were areas that received some precipitation. Those counties nearest to the coast have the benefit of early morning ground moisture and bobwhites may have fared better in these areas. Field reports suggest limited production for most of the region although quail can respond to late summer rains by initiating pair bonds and nesting activity. Overall, our surveys indicate a slight decrease in population compared to last year but still below average across the region. The best opportunities will be on well managed sites that de-stocked early or were ungrazed leaving native cover standing.

The average number of bobwhites observed per route was 8.0 compared to 8.6 last year. This is well below the LTM of 18.2 and is predictive of a below average hunting season. The Chaparral and the Daughtrey Wildlife Management Areas provide public quail hunting opportunities.

Trans-Pecos

Much of the Trans-Pecos ecological region has also experienced prolonged drought and unusually high temperatures. Overall, field reports indicate limited scaled quail production with the most likely reproductive efforts occurring late in the summer after scattered rainfall events.

The average number of scaled quail observed per route was 6.3 compared to 5.0 last year. This is below the LTM of 16.4. Public hunter opportunities can be found at Elephant Mountain and Black Gap Wildlife Management Areas.

Other Areas

Our surveys indicate that bobwhite numbers have significantly increased in the Gulf Prairies. The average number of bobwhite observed per route was 19.4 compared to 4.6 last year. This is well above the LTM of 10.2. Hunters should focus on the central and lower coast in native prairie habitats. Public hunting opportunities are limited and few landowners offer lease hunting. Contacting the chamber of commerce in your county of interest is a great place to look for outfitter and landowner contacts.

The Cross Timbers and Edwards Plateau continue to report numbers well below their respective LTM's. Although there are certainly areas within each region where some quail hunting opportunity remains, this survey is not designed to detect changes in localized populations, especially in fragmented landscapes.