I've been hunting in Stephens county for the last 5 years, on 2 different properties. In the last 2 years, i've heard the odd call here and there, but until last weekend, i had never seen a live quail here. Pulling into the property last weekend, i came across a covey of 8 in the middle of the track. Exciting stuff for me!

I have a GSP, and though she's never had the opportunity to hunt Quail, she was raised on them early on and clearly has some of the unrefined tools. I'd love to get out there with her.

The question is, should i really be out there trying to get quail when populations have been so low the last few years ?

How long do you think it would take for them to recover to a reasonable level ?

Thanks.

I hunted up there near Thurber for several years. My last trip was the last of the 1993 season. I'd try to keep those few quail around for training.

You can take the dog out and not get any quail.

I saw a small covey last night driving up 717 in Stephens.

I'm with Oxner, I'd keep the covey for training and kill one every now and then. I'd sure kill the first one he points and holds.

Appreciate the responses all. That was my thought also, it will just be exciting to get out on foot and see what she does when we come across a covey.

If her grass snake, pidgeon and squirrel pointing is anything to go by, she should do alright.

Here's to hoping all the cover thats grown up the last few years will have populations increase enough that we might get to shoot sometime.

NOt to be negative,,, but if your population has not exploded in the last 3 yrs, it is not likely to happen at all. Make sure your dog does the 'whoa' command,,,, you dont want him chasing the birds before you shoot.

Been here since 1998, this year is the most Quail I've seen in 15 years. Mowing around my Sunflower fields I see several coveys each time. Great to see, lots of Quail.