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Rolling Plains comparison
#7033315
01/10/18 10:49 PM
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Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 81
quailg
OP
Outdoorsman
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OP
Outdoorsman
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 81 |
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.
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Re: Rolling Plains comparison
[Re: quailg]
#7033617
01/11/18 01:48 AM
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Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 110,796
dogcatcher
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 110,796 |
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.
Combat Infantryman, the ultimate hunter where the prey shoots back. _____________"Illegitimus non carborundum est"_______________
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Re: Rolling Plains comparison
[Re: quailg]
#7033759
01/11/18 03:24 AM
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,723
tigger
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,723 |
Kent county is down this year excellent the prior two years
Tigger If it isn't white it is not a birddog.
KC Lying is lying. Don't bitch about one doing it and condone another. That's called hypocrisy. _________________
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Re: Rolling Plains comparison
[Re: tigger]
#7034668
01/11/18 08:57 PM
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Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,068
NorthTXbirdhunter
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,068 |
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.
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Re: Rolling Plains comparison
[Re: quailg]
#7034760
01/11/18 10:02 PM
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Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 5,427
RayB
red bone Bob
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red bone Bob
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 5,427 |
Headed to Kent Co. in the morning with my setter
There is time, and you must take it, to lay your hand on your dog's head as you walk past him lying on the floor or on his settle, time to talk with him, to remember with him, time to please him, time you can't buy back once he's gone" GBE
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Re: Rolling Plains comparison
[Re: quailg]
#7035291
01/12/18 10:54 AM
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 818
danceswithquail
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 818 |
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
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Re: Rolling Plains comparison
[Re: quailg]
#7035484
01/12/18 02:39 PM
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Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 81
quailg
OP
Outdoorsman
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OP
Outdoorsman
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 81 |
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.
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Re: Rolling Plains comparison
[Re: quailg]
#7036524
01/13/18 11:51 AM
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 818
danceswithquail
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 818 |
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.
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Re: Rolling Plains comparison
[Re: danceswithquail]
#7040282
01/16/18 05:18 PM
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Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 81
quailg
OP
Outdoorsman
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OP
Outdoorsman
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 81 |
This is great information and most appreciated.
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