We started out great this year with another good hatch but we've lost a ton of birds, not sure what's going on. I'm hoping they're just feeding good in the pastures with all this rain but I'm sure not seeing them like I was 2 months ago.

Have similar situation at my place in dickens county. State survey appears accurate as I had lots of birds in spring but not seeing as many now. Still have birds but numbers appear to be way down from last year

Fingers crossed.

seen some reports that the excessive heat caused mortality rates to be higher

I thought this has been a cooler summer than years past?? Maybe just my area.

It was the dry May and June not so much the temp.

I'll let you know what I think after next weekend

I’ve been hearing spotty reports all over the state. Some pockets have birds but over all the population is way down from what I’ve been hearing from buddies of mine.

I know I was in southeastern New Mexico last week and the bird population is 1/10 what it has been the last two years. It was bad enough we packed up and came back two days early to hunt some small spots in Texas we knew had bird.

Had one of the main guys I day lease on SW of Abilene call and tell me its about half as good as last year, expect maybe a covey an hour or so and of whats left, a lot more blues than bobs this year. It was about 60/40 bobs last season. Had that lined up for right after New Years day and both my kids in college going with me, so bummed out. My season lease place that is north of Abilene about 100 miles and got timely rains in June and July appears to be close to last year, will know more first week in Dec on that place when I get some pads on the ground

I envy you dances. Your kids giving up college partying and chasing women to hunt.

I noticed the same thing Mike. Usually I see all kinds of quail and pheasant when I'm mule deer hunting in Hale and Lamb Counties. Nada on quail and one pheasant this past weekend. Hawks are extremely thick up there this year. Same thing on my place at Abilene. Had several covies in my grass prior to season but the hawks showed up. Quail are in my neighbors thickest stuff now.

Not what we had the last two years but there are birds out there. Moved 5 covey in 3 hours this morning but almost an hour was two runs with a year old pup. But the two older dogs got good bird work. Birds seemed jumpy and scenting didn't seem real good.

How quickly we forget...

I hunted in the Panhandle the past 4 days. I averaged a covey for every 1 - 1 1/2 in the field. While its not like last year, as long as I am pushing 3 - 4 coveys a day, its still a h377 of a lot better than 5 - 6 years ago

Well, they both have longer term girlfriends, so that doesnt get in the way. More of them coming back and wanting to hang out with their high school buddies that went to different colleges. I just plan stuff at the end of their breaks and that usually works out pretty good.

Dances you and I agree
4 ti 5 coveys beat working
And sure beats 4 to 5 years ago

Listen to Chet and dances and you will not go wrong

There are still plenty in Big Lake.

Went out for 20 minutes a couple of weeks ago and got these

Walked all over a thousand aces of public land land in west Tx this weekend. Bumped one Bob While Quail. I Went to a little private 160 acres place I can hunt and bumped 2 coveys in under an hour. Now this same 100 acres I bumped 4 or 5 coveys last February.