How would you compare(good and bad) the following counties for Quail Hunting:
Kent, Runnels, Fisher, Mitchell, Coke, and Stonewall,
I know there has been discussion about the different areas, but I am looking for a long term lease and would very much like comments from those of you that are familiar with this area.

We are about 10 miles west of Ballinger, and north of highway 67. Our quail population is still trying to recover, it is a little better this year, but not really worth hunting them.

Kent county is down this year excellent the prior two years

Yes, Kent may be down some, but not bad. I averaged about 3 coveys an hour Monday and Tuesday. It is enough to keep me wanting to go back. I found 15 coveys on Monday in about 5 hours total hunting. 7 coveys Tuesday in 3 hours at about 68 degrees and no wind to speak of. We had knocked out our out of shape dogs by noon Tuesday and went home.

Headed to Kent Co. in the morning with my setter

If I had 6 ranchers call me and leave me a message begging me to come hunt on their 5,000 acre ranch in Feb from each of those counties, I would call the guy back from Mitchell county first this year. I'd call the Runnels co guy back last. I haven't called around as much as a usually do because I have a season lease this year and trying to get my moneys worth out of that, so just my two cents

Danceswithquail,
This is exactly the info I was looking for and a great way to make the comparisons.
Is your answer over the long term or just this year.

Those counties are up and down to some extent each year. For example, in the middle of Runnels county, had several 25+ covey days two years ago but not so good this year. I think as far as the troughs go, the quail hold up better on the counties that have sandier soil which means a high content of sage type cover; which seems short to us but is the equivalent of a 40 foot oak tree to a quail that stands nine inches. Tighter dark dirt can have good birds in certain years, but when its a bit leaner, the sandier soil holds up better -- which is totally founded on 25 years of observation vs any scientific study. When its lean in the sandier soil areas, you can find birds that arent buried in mesquite thickets because they are comfortable loafing in these lower brush habitat environments. Again, in a good year where everything is right, I have had great years in basic old mesquite country that has some scattered prickly pear but am talking about riding out the lower May/June rainfall years. Too much sand that's looser where you end up with dunes, say like around Canadian, seems to be more similar to tight dark country as far as dulling the down trough of a cycle, as plum thickets can grow in that stuff but not a lot of other low cover (and its hard for dogs to run and humans to walk and the goat heads drive you to boot your dogs which I have grown weary of, so factor all that in on your search). Quail like elevation change as well and places that have nice rolling elevation change hold up better in lean years and help concentrate birds at times of day to make them easier to pattern and hunt. Some of those counties tend to have a lot of cedars. Some like Coke tends to have cedars and for some reason, the mesquite pastures seem to be kind of thick there and ranchers are running a lot of goats; southern Runnels county you need to watch that as well as goats are not your friend. Lots to think about when lease hunting for sure.

This is great information and most appreciated.