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Quail population took a hurting from last year #6991913 12/11/17 05:41 PM
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JCCinOhio Offline OP
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Last year took my 1yr old pup to my in-law's land near Vernon Tx and we must have jumped 300+ quail on his 80 acres in 1.5 days, didn't even cover the whole 80 acres.. Was really looking forward to the return trip to get my dog some steadiness on wild birds.. just got back from 3 FULL days hunting there, covered every inch we could numerous times. Jumped 1 covey of about 10... land surrounding his is all cow pasture, so they didn't leave.. the 80 acres is all sage (I think) and taller grass with lots of cover... great habitat.. I guess the spring rains really did a number on them.

There was loads of rabbits last year too... maybe saw 5 this year.

I'm gutted.. Couldn't bring myself to hunt that one covey so left after 3 days of my 5 day license..

Re: Quail population took a hurting from last year [Re: JCCinOhio] #6991957 12/11/17 06:11 PM
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Unfortunately, I saw the same sort of thing 2 weeks ago in my hunting land near Snyder, Tx. A ranch that was loaded with them last year had very few coveys. There are places with birds. We switched to another area and were able to find about 6 to 7 coveys per day.

I guess you just have to find the right place.

Good luck.

Re: Quail population took a hurting from last year [Re: JCCinOhio] #6991960 12/11/17 06:14 PM
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We see fluctuations in what we see all the time. Hadnt seen much in the way of quail all deer season and then all of a sudden they are coming out of the woodwork. Maybe they just move around a little.


It's hell eatin em live
Re: Quail population took a hurting from last year [Re: JCCinOhio] #6992102 12/11/17 07:51 PM
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Actually this weekend I find 7 coveys on our overgrazed quail lease. They were out there eating little tiny green shoots that were sprouting up. They were not far from cover but kind of in the open cause that's were the shoots were. It made for some bad hunting cause my 2yr old kept seeing them run and wanting to give chase. We got some great training in but less shooting:(

Re: Quail population took a hurting from last year [Re: JCCinOhio] #6992200 12/11/17 09:12 PM
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Went to West Texas pheasant hunting last week and didn't see many quail like the last few years.

Re: Quail population took a hurting from last year [Re: sallysue] #6992311 12/11/17 10:17 PM
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Very sad. Looks like we all be hunting released Birds in future.

Re: Quail population took a hurting from last year [Re: JCCinOhio] #6992338 12/11/17 10:35 PM
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This weekend I hunted hard. Coco clocked over 70 miles on the GPS. We found birds but it wasn't easy. Came home with 13 birds which is more then I usually ever shoot. I am so hooked but sometimes think how easy it could be to not drive 7hrs each way...not need half the equipment to get us to where the birds are. Not have to work near as hard. Not lease land and then I thought I about was ready to simplify. Then this morning after chewing on it a bit. I'm ready to make the drive and walk the walk all over. I'll do it till I can't. Then I'll hunt released birds like a champ.

Re: Quail population took a hurting from last year [Re: JCCinOhio] #6992419 12/11/17 11:31 PM
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My other place at big lake opens after Christmas. Hopefully there’ll be decent bird count, or I’ll be hitting the preserve. My 2 yo has already pointed a hog she’s so bored



Re: Quail population took a hurting from last year [Re: JCCinOhio] #6992708 12/12/17 03:19 AM
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Pointed a hog...that's amazing!! That could be a sport some where

Re: Quail population took a hurting from last year [Re: JCCinOhio] #6992991 12/12/17 02:20 PM
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Good thing that big black hog went out the opposite end of the shinnery mott, I was only holding a blank pistol!

Last edited by 68rustbucket; 12/12/17 02:20 PM.


Re: Quail population took a hurting from last year [Re: JCCinOhio] #6993876 12/12/17 11:40 PM
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We did piss off a hog while out there.. there was a SMALL patch of grass surrounded by thickets, so figured it was worth a go. We got in and as soon as my dog made it to the thicket a pig started squealing at us.. We turned and left... lesson was to make sure I bring a few buckshot with me..

Re: Quail population took a hurting from last year [Re: JCCinOhio] #6995197 12/13/17 11:16 PM
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I hunted 1/2 day 15 miles NW of Sweetwater on Friday afternoon, then hunted with Jon Moss(great guide) on Sat-Sun near Claremont and finally hunted NW of Aspermont on Mon-Tues, and in general, we were finding 12 to 15 coveys per day. We hunted hard except for a quick lunch break. Its dry out there and a rain is really needed.

Re: Quail population took a hurting from last year [Re: quailg] #6995293 12/14/17 12:21 AM
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Originally Posted By: quailg
I hunted 1/2 day 15 miles NW of Sweetwater on Friday afternoon, then hunted with Jon Moss(great guide) on Sat-Sun near Claremont and finally hunted NW of Aspermont on Mon-Tues, and in general, we were finding 12 to 15 coveys per day. We hunted hard except for a quick lunch break. Its dry out there and a rain is really needed.


How did y'all do in Clairemont?


Say When.....
Re: Quail population took a hurting from last year [Re: JCCinOhio] #6996015 12/14/17 04:02 PM
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IMO there was more birds 25 miles NW of Aspermont, but not by much. Very dry there.

Re: Quail population took a hurting from last year [Re: quailg] #6996335 12/14/17 07:54 PM
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Originally Posted By: quailg
IMO there was more birds 25 miles NW of Aspermont, but not by much. Very dry there.


I was curious how many coveys y'all did in clairemont if you remember?


Say When.....
Re: Quail population took a hurting from last year [Re: CinchMan] #6996340 12/14/17 07:56 PM
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10-14 coveys per day is rough estimate.

Re: Quail population took a hurting from last year [Re: quailg] #6996354 12/14/17 08:06 PM
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This is one of those years (dry, windy and warm) with less than stellar quail numbers, when a real good kind of bird dog comes in pretty handy.

Re: Quail population took a hurting from last year [Re: JCCinOhio] #6996460 12/14/17 09:17 PM
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In my last 26 years this one makes the bottom 5 list.

Sorry dogs, sorry shooting make for goow whisky. Authority on all.


Tigger
If it isn't white it is not a birddog.

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Lying is lying. Don't bitch about one doing it and condone another. That's called hypocrisy.
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Re: Quail population took a hurting from last year [Re: JCCinOhio] #6996670 12/14/17 11:29 PM
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Everyone talks about the heydays in the eighties. I hunted a lease north of mineral wells in the 70s. There were so many birds you couldn't get to the deer stand without flushing at least one covey. 30-50 covey days. Populations rise and fall. Just like ducks, I don't think we will see numbers like that again. But I do believe better years are yet to come. We get smarter at habitat management, predator management and release management every year.


No matter how high a duck flies a hammer still breaks a window.
Re: Quail population took a hurting from last year [Re: JCCinOhio] #6996720 12/15/17 12:12 AM
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The numbers are down in some areas where the habitat not changed in fifty years. The numbers are down in habitat management areas.


Quail hunting is like walking into, and out of a beautiful painting all day long. Gene Hill


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Re: Quail population took a hurting from last year [Re: JCCinOhio] #6996763 12/15/17 12:51 AM
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Bill is correct
40 years ago I had a lease at Greford and 3 walkers 1 dog do 15 to 30 birds a day
Same period would do 3 weekend hunts to burnet county and we we would get 30 to 50 birds on a weekend
Line keeps moving
Further and further west


Tigger
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Re: Quail population took a hurting from last year [Re: JCCinOhio] #6996764 12/15/17 12:51 AM
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I went back to work last August, so I haven't even gone yet and wouldn't hazard a pass on what our numbers are down here, but Im not expecting a stellar year from listening to you all!

Re: Quail population took a hurting from last year [Re: Pointer] #6996800 12/15/17 01:10 AM
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Originally Posted By: Pointer
I went back to work last August, so I haven't even gone yet and wouldn't hazard a pass on what our numbers are down here, but Im not expecting a stellar year from listening to you all!


I've only had one report from south Texas. It was on a ranch west of Falfurrias. They pointed three coveys in two morning outings.


Quail hunting is like walking into, and out of a beautiful painting all day long. Gene Hill


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Re: Quail population took a hurting from last year [Re: JCCinOhio] #6997210 12/15/17 12:14 PM
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Still seeing allot of coveys but the numbers are down, I'd say we've seen about a 30% drop in population from last year. Still a hunt-able crop of birds just a little more work involved.


Yes! A Weatherby does kill them deader.
Re: Quail population took a hurting from last year [Re: bill oxner] #6997747 12/15/17 07:06 PM
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Originally Posted By: bill oxner
The numbers are down in some areas where the habitat not changed in fifty years. The numbers are down in habitat management areas.


I guess I'm just optimistic that we will turn this around somehow. I'm looking to buy a dog in the next 2-3 years. This would be my last one. I've got to be positive or nuts. Jury is still out on that one. smile


No matter how high a duck flies a hammer still breaks a window.
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