Trying something new.
Dedicated to conservation, Western Navar...il populations

Used to be significant numbers of quail in the county. Not any more, I haven't seen wild quail in 20+ years.

I've only seen a few wild birds in the last 20 so years. It's sad to see them disappear from Texas like they have. Don't think it will work until fire ants are gone.

Pops blames fire ants. I'm thinking habitat and a parasite.

If fire ants were an issue TPWD wouldn't expend the time and resources restocking on a losing proposition.

Habitat loss and fragmentation, my 2cents. It takes many acres for a population to survive. Had them up until 2006.

Used to be a lot of birds around Dawson and Purdon. Goods hunts and lots of good habitat. Shame they've disappeared.

Good to see. Spoke with Gary about this a couple of days ago. Hope they come back strong.

Most of the eastern part of the state quail are long gone. Why is season still 4 months long and 15 birds a day?

It also seems like morning dove are heading this way too, very sad.

My Brother lives in Navarro County (Corsicana) and owns land suitable for Quail, but we've seen a decline in them over the years.

I'd consider doing some predator 'control' on any property you try to restock if want to keep them.

I can't imagine 39 birds making much difference...but I've been wrong before.

Would love to see quail more places in Texas.

I don't know why ETx is short on bird but Al, Ms and Ga still have them. Rednecks maybe?

Not a 'redneck' problem.

Habitat.

Land Holdings in much of East Texas (particularly Deep East Texas) is used primarily for Agriculture. That dramatically changes the habitat. Not that the two can't exist together, but good 'quail' habitat isn't necessarily good Cattle/Crop/Timber land. So a purposeful effort to provide/preserve suitable habitat would have to be at play.

Also, East Texas is comprised of mostly small ranches and farms. Except for 'Paper Company Land' you don't often see 'large' holdings of land (thousands of acres).

And....there really isn't any interest by most land owners to improve the habitat for sake of having Quail (or Turkey for that matter).

Then...you have the issue of 'predators'. Yes, other States (with Quail) also have some small land holdings (and also have 'predators'), and while I can't PROVE it, I'd wager most places in East Texas have more predators than many other States.

So cumulatively, it all adds up to an inhospitable environment for Quail and Turkey.

We can perhaps blame 'rednecks' for a list of other issues....but not for the lack of Quail.