There was this guy named Nathan at our Floresville trial. He's from the West Texas region, and I didn't get his contact information. He had a pretty good report on a scouting trip up around the Winters area. I had a decent lease at Paint Rock. Anyone have anymore information on that area this year? I saw this on the Leasehunters.com website, and it perked my interest;

Runnels Co. Quail Lease

Location: This 2,200 acre Quail lease is situated in Runnels County, Texas.
Closest City: Ballinger (7 miles away)
Zip Code: 76866
Lease Cost: $6,600.00 per season
Guests: Guests are allowed.
A total of 1 guest are permitted per gun.
Hunters: 6 hunters are permitted for this lease.
Children: Children are allowed.
Features: » Camping Onsite» Lodging Onsite» Game Managed» Electricity» Crops» Tanks» Rivers / Streams
Weapons: » Shotguns
Game: Primary Game: Quail
Other Game:
» Quail
Owner Description: We have a quail lease available on our ranch north of Ballinger. This ranch has been managed by the family for years. The quail population is decent this year. We are looking for a group that want a good quail lease, that are conservative minded. Although are quail are improving and we are making improvements to the ranch we don't want to over hunt the ranch.
The brush control and water management projects have made the ranch a good ranch to hunt with dogs.
There is a cabin available with the lease.
The lease is available as a full quail season lease.
We are asking $3 per acre for the season.

I deer hunt in the area and we see VERY little quail. 10 years ago there was quail EVERY Where.

This is not worth a whole new thread, but Wes Barr was there, with his setter named JR. Here's JR;

TOP PERFORMANCE

11/13/2010
This competition is based on all points earned (excluding invitational points) from June 1st, 2010 through May 31st, 2011. Regional elimination trial and championship trial points are not included in this calculation.



Rank
Registered #
Registered Name
Points
Region
Owner ID
Owner Name

1
N0000418
TOMOKA'S SMOKIN J.R.
30
WTX
8953
WESLEY BARR

2
1576944
SECOND CHANCE SCOOBY
26
MI
17699
ERIC GRIFFITHS

3
SR51235702
LAST DANCE LILY
23
NI
13095
TOM ROTUNDO

4
1581240
BLAZE'S BLACK MAGIC
21
MSM
14341
CHAD CALICOTT

Wes is a dog trainer and an outfitter out of the Clyde/Rotan area. He said that he has no birds this year. He's booking a few hunts for blues out west somewhere.

We have a family ranch in Nolan County just bit west of Winters. Used to have unbelievable quail hunting until the last 8-10 years. Last year didnt bust a single covey with 3 dogs. We had all but given up on the quail...

Opening weekend of deer seasons, we saw multipe coveys with some as large as 20-30 birds. Hope that is a sign that the area is making a comeback.

I hunt in the area each year with my brother-in-law. I can report that the quail numbers are still down. I will give you more info on Sunday. We are going back tomorrow to hunt and see what happens.
Elhew