Quail are unique birds when it comes to hunting.
According to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, in lean years, the birds hunker down. Then when conditions are right, their numbers explode.
It’s truly boom or bust for quail, and this year should be “booming.”
Hunting season began on Saturday and continues through Feb. 26, 2017, with prospects in most of Texas quail country the brightest in many years.
“Consecutive years of above average rainfall and lower than average summer temperature can produce quail ‘boom’ years,” said TPWD upland game bird leader Robert Perez.
That’s exactly what’s happened in the Rolling Plains, South Texas and the Trans Pecos – where bobwhite and blue quail have staged a remarkable comeback.
The rebound can be attributed to the habitat where livestock production is generally comparable with quail.
Good land stewardship and proper grazing are important to the prevalence of these game birds. Read more in the Nov. 2 Bowie News.

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department reports bobwhite quail should be plentiful for hunters this year thanks to above average rainfall in the state. (Courtesy photo by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department)