Never hunted quail before but our deer lease is covered up in quail....what's the best way to hunt them without dogs?

Grain the roads or better yet, call a friend with a dog.

We've had excellent shooting wild quail without dogs, but you'll need at least three people. Just form a line keeping about 20 yards apart as the cover allows and start walking. I've never hunted quail over dogs, but the only one I could see being useful is a lab retriever because sometimes we lose a downed bird in the brush.

I don't know why people spend all that time and money training bird dogs. When all you really need is 2 buddies and maybe a retriever to stumble around and kill quail.

Walk about a hundred yard circle around each feeder.

Corn the roads and bunch shoot them when they're on the ground.That's the quickest way to get a mess.

I thought the same thing, but remember that he stated that he has had excellent shooting wild quail without dogs. I think if he ever had the opportunity to hunt over some great pointers, he would soon realize just how valuable they can be and how much fun they are to watch.

It's because the world stands still while bird dogs are pointing.

Appreciate the info and ALL the PMs about hiring your dog(s) but I think for now, we aren't going to try and hunt behind dogs. It does concern us about losing birds in the grass/brush which is knee/thigh high

BUT I can see the draw for sure, just watching videos makes me tense. Curious, what does it cost typically for someone to use their dogs? Lease is 30 mins west of Abilene.

I'd do it free if I were closer.

Most guys I know with dogs will do it for free if you let them shoot too. But be careful, because most guys I know with dogs can shoot!!!!

It sure does.

They sure can.

Noodle? Anson? How many acres and how much cactus?

Merkel, 160, quite a bit

I don't understand why one would want to hunt quail without dogs. Watching the dogs is 90% of the fun in quail hunting.

[/quote] I don't know why people spend all that time and money training bird dogs. When all you really need is 2 buddies and maybe a retriever to stumble around and kill quail.[/quote]

The same reason people spend time and money playing golf....It's a freakin' blast.

I don't know why people spend all that time and money training bird dogs. When all you really need is 2 buddies and maybe a retriever to stumble around and kill quail.[/quote]

The same reason people spend time and money playing golf....It's a freakin' blast. [/quote]



I can't agree more and at the current time it is my drug of choice!

cattle69, do you play at SACC?

I don't know why people spend all that time and money training bird dogs. When all you really need is 2 buddies and maybe a retriever to stumble around and kill quail. [/quote]

Yep, and you can shoot more if you shoot them on the ground. And, a good way to catch fish is to pour a bottle of clorox on the pond. Spotlights work well when hunting deer. Seriously, most quail hunters are into the bond and cooperation between you and the dog. There is something mysterious going on there that non dog hunters just don't understand. I wouldn't be interested in hunting quail if a dog wasn't involved.

I used to play out there around 10-15 years ago when I was a member. Not enough time to do it all and would rather hunt and fish.

Quote:

It does concern us about losing birds in the grass/brush which is knee/thigh high.

Focus on and shoot just one bird each per flush. Watch that bird down, not taking eyes off the landing spot. Walk immediately to the bird's location.

The goal is 100% recovery in exchange for giving up the possibility of shooting two or three quail on a covey rise.

Man there is no comparison. I don't know why or how people could shoot quail on the ground. Watching my dog pin running quail is the coolest thing ever...
Working together with a dog is reallyneat. Especially when birds will run cause the dog goes on point but has to wait for you to get there. Then it trails the birds...the whole time it's sneaking in and testing the scent. It knows it can't get in to fast or the birds with bust so it's sneaking in and you can see the intensity build in the dog as she knows she's close. Finally she locks up into a point. She won't move a muscle but her eyes are looking for you. That's the best part.. she's waiting for you. Her eyes are saying I did this part now don't miss:)
I don't think any true quail hunters hunt for meat. By the time you get a dog trained and have a place to go and learn all about quail and their patterns you respect the birds so much you hardly want to kill them.

When numbers are good like they are now yeah, but what about when things are not so well?

I ran into two guys hunting without a dog last year at the Chap. They told me how far they had walked and didn't find anything. I was like wow! About fifteen minutes later, my dog went on point around where they were and I bagged two birds. Hunting without dogs well that's for the birds haha