Research Summary: Evaluation of Northern Bobwhite and Scaled Quail in Western Oklahoma



- Quail numbers fluctuate wildly in Oklahoma as weather conditions change between years.
- Even in good habitat, quail survival is low each year and many different factors contribute to the low survival.
- Nest initiations fluctuated dramatically depending on the weather, but nest success was high where habitat was adequate.
- Quail have the capacity to produce large numbers of young and have multiple strategies to accomplish this.
- Brood counts are misleading indicators of quail reproductive success as chicks move between broods.
- Temperature is an important component of habitat, and quail are responsive to it.
- Having variable plant structure and composition is important to provide cover, including thermal cover, for quail. - Quail used different species of shrubs at different times of the year.
- Quail were associated with shrubs throughout the year. While shrubs are essential for quail habitat, shrub patches larger than about 5 acres tended to be avoided.
- Prescribed fire is important to maintain habitat for quail long-term, but it was found there was minimal short-term effects on quail in a shinnery oak plant community.
- Surface water can concentrate quail, but no evidence was found that water led to an increase in the number of quail.
- Disking may not be worth the effort for quail management in far western Oklahoma.
- Using bird dogs to estimate quail density (through mathematical models) can be an alternative to fall covey listening surveys.
- Little evidence was found of an impact to quail from low to moderate levels of energy development.

Thanks a bunch for posting. I found THF while looking for the Texas quail county.

Glad you found it interesting.

These two were the most interesting to me because several WMAs do both of them but their quail numbers don't seem very good.

- Surface water can concentrate quail, but no evidence was found that water led to an increase in the number of quail.
- Disking may not be worth the effort for quail management in far western Oklahoma.

Very interesting and somewhat surprising.
thanks

very good read!!