I am hearing and seeing lots of Bobs around Abilene. It may be a great year. Haven't seen this many or heard them like this in many years.

Great news. I heard some yesterday on my place south of Menard and got all excited.

I am seeing a lot more at my place near Roby , young ones too . . They have been weak for a few years so I did not hunt any .

With all the fuss I've been hearing in the field and on the road, I pray for a good season this season

Had a good season last year and didn't hunt that much.

At my place in Dickens for a visit 2 weeks ago and the calling was incredible.

Looking forward to a GREAT season!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

'Just saw my first quail since buying this place 5 years ago; down on the south part of the ranch. 'Been hearing 'em all over.

My place is in Montague County, about 3 miles south of the red river. I hear and see them all the time during the spring and summer. When it starts cooling off and hunting season starts, they disappear and I don't see or hear them all winter and fall.

Why is that? I know they are there because once it warms up they are all over the place. Some pretty good size coveys too.

Over 18 inches of rain since April at our place in Dickens. Young birds being reported all over the ranch. Whistling everywhere. Pray for a good rain or two in July & August and our place will be awesome!

Man I would love that Jayton / Spur / Dickens area to come back...been hunting near Oklahoma panhandle and south Texas the past four years, and miss rolling mesquite or shinnery country, much better for top tier dog work. I was fishing Amon Carter lake near Bowie last week, and heard several mails calling, would have figured them extinct in that area so that made my morning.

Wheeler County checking in.

They are everywhere.

Been a long time since I can remember seeing them sitting fences alongside the highway.

seen some in Baylor County a couple weeks ago

Can someone help me out on this question? I hear and see them all the time during the spring and summer. When it starts cooling off and hunting season starts, they disappear and I don't see or hear them all winter and fall.

I'll try...but note that my response will be my guestimation based on my personal experiences and not those of scientific study...you hear the calls of the Bob White in the Spring and Summer because that is the mating season and the primary time the legendary "bob-white" whistle is most prevalent...during this time they pair up, breed, and nest/nurture broods of newly hatched chicks... In the fall and winter months the pairs & chicks reunite with others to form coveys. Coveys are designed to work together to find food sources, watch for predators and for thermal heat when it gets cold. During this time quail are much more reclusive and much less vocal, and you will not hear the famed "bob-white" whistle. However, if you observe your birds closely during these months you will find they make other more simple whistle calls which are typically designed to communicate location to their covey mates, time to covey up, danger, etc...

A quail spends every waking second of every minute of every day under the threat of predation from above and around every corner/bush...so basically they are very quiet and shy until they're ready to make babies.

Additionally, it is estimated that 80% of the birds on the ground die each year...a quail's life span is typically very short, so again, you will hear them in spring and summer but the end of mating season and natural attrition will reduce sightings and hearing the birds.

Thanks!

In South West Austin - I heard quail calling in the late afternoon at the Lady Bird Wildflower Center. I took my family for a kids activity but quickly left them in the dust running into the field - I couldn't believe I was hearing quail IN Austin.

Took my wife to MIdland to the dentist and waited in the vehicle for her to return. My truck faced a vacant lot with the dentist office behind me and some apartments on the other side of the vacant lot, which was a few mesquites and some tumbleweeds. Dentist office was watering some trees behind their office and 4-6 blue quail ran up to get a drink from the hose that was watering the trees. They sat there in the shade and cooled themselves off for a while, packed up, and went on their way. Give them half a chance and they will be back in numbers.

My son went to school out there for the past 2 years and we saw quail all the time. Unfortunately we didn't know anyone that would let us hunt.

Took a quick trip to Amarillo area Sunday, return on Monday. Saw some really great looking pastures. Passed by the Pitchfork headquarters in Dickens county, really nice around there. Should be a great quail season.

Glad to hear that, we are right next door to Pitchfork (headed west, It's the 6666 ranch, Pitchfork, Then our place). Getting some great reports for the area this year.

Fingers are crossed BirdDogMan...

I have 4 adults and about 12-14 yearlings I see twice a day in town here in Midland. They are regulars and a joy to watch. Looking like a better than typical year hopefully.