Bobwhite and Scaled Quail in the South Texas Plains
Texas Quail Forecast 2023-24


Summary

Spring-summer nesting was limited to areas in the northeast portion of the region where there may be some good hunting opportunities this season. Overall, very dry conditions through July negatively impacted production across much of south Texas. The least amount of production reported includes most of the western half of south Texas where late summer rains were not enough to offset July high temperatures. Few broods have been reported although there are some exceptions. The Coastal Sand Plain is nestled within the region and has fared better than areas further from the coast. This Sand Plain is known for some of the good quail hunting and reports from land mangers suggest an average year. Widespread, significant September rains could result in a late second hatch with young birds on the ground at the beginning of the season.

The average number of bobwhites observed per route 5.06 compared to 10.16 last year. This is below the 15-year mean of 9.84 and suggests a below average hunting season for the region as a whole. The Chaparral and Daughtrey Wildlife Management Areas provide public quail hunting opportunities.

Search for quail hunting opportunities on public and leased land with an Annual Public Hunting Permit.

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Survey Data for South Texas Plains
Bobwhite Quail

The following table shows the annual mean number of Bobwhite Quail observed per route in the South Texas Plains region from 2004 to 2009 to 2023 using randomly selected, 20-mile roadside survey lines.

Year Mean # Quail
Observed Per Route
15-year Mean
20185.069.84
201710.169.84
201613.979.84
201524.559.84
201413.779.84
20136.139.84
20127.749.84
20118.039.84
20108.429.84
20094.879.84
20086.589.84
20077.039.84
20063.109.84
20058.879.84
200419.299.84

Survey Data for South Texas Plains
Scaled Quail

The following table shows observed numbers of Scaled Quail in the region from 2004 to 2009 to 2023 using randomly selected, 20-mile roadside survey lines.

Year Mean # Quail
Observed Per Route
15-year Mean
20180.101.23
20171.651.23
20162.551.23
20151.301.23
20141.151.23
20131.401.23
20121.451.23
20111.151.23
20100.901.23
20090.251.23
20081.101.23
20070.101.23
20060.801.23
20051.551.23
20043.051.23