Some Good News (Finally) for Bobwhite Quail

by
posted on June 23, 2014
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
dogs_ah2015_fs.jpg (40)

It's been grim times for the bobwhite quail, as wild populations have fallen due to habitat loss and other reasons. However, through careful efforts and occasional luck from Mother Nature, they have stabilized and even resurged in certain southern and Midwest states. Oklahoma is key among them and—good news—state biologists say timely rains and mild spring weather may fuel the largest quail rebound in many years.

"We're seeing better conditions now than we've seen in the past two and a half years," said Scott Cox, upland game biologist with the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. "There are a lot of birds being heard ... We're optimistic that we're looking at a good nesting season."

Rain and mild temperatures ensure good ground-cover plants for nesting quail--without them, hens may delay nesting altogether. During last year's drought, state biologists in northwestern Oklahoma hadn't found any hens nesting by mid-June. This year chicks were reported on the ground as early as mid-May. It's important for hens to start early, as this allows time for second and third nesting attempts in the event of nest depredation.

"We're about as good as it gets as far as nesting and forbs production in most parts of the state," Cox added. "We're definitely going to see more birds, if we don't have any catastrophes between July and October."

Just how many more birds? According to Cox, many ranchers are reporting better spring quail numbers than they've seen in a decade. Still, Oklahoma's quail have a long way to go. Cox estimates that the current quail population is 750,000 to 1 million birds. It hasn't been at peak numbers since the 1990's, when the state had 7 million quail.

Latest

LEDE Count Some Quail
LEDE Count Some Quail

Count Some Quail, Tally Some Turkeys

The Arkansas turkey season ended in May, but there’s still good reason for hunters and outdoor enthusiasts to keep the birds in mind when they head out to their favorite hiking trail or drive the backroads of The Natural State. Outdoorsmen who scare up coveys of quail are welcome in the survey as well.

2025 Online Firearm Sales Continue to Grow

While nationwide firearm sales have held steady this spring, guns.com is reporting significant growth, surpassing 10-percent year-over-year gun sales growth in the first half of 2025, according to the company's internal data.

#SundayGunday: Henry Special Products Division HUSH

This week on #SundayGunday, we’re checking out the HUSH Series, from Henry’s new Special Products Division, SPD for short.

New for 2025: Federal’s Personal Defense HST .44 Rem. Mag.

Federal Ammunition has recently added a new HST .44 Remington Magnum “Light Magnum” load featuring a specially designed hollow-point bullet, ideal for those seeking HST performance for self-defense with magnum revolvers.

Utah Wildlife Board Updates

The Utah Wildlife Board approved a few new and updated rules, some of which are necessary after recent legislative changes—including the wildlife management area license requirement for certain counties and the new process for regulating hunting guides and outfitters—along with a few other proposals during a public meeting Thursday.

Member's Hunt: A Tale of Two Moose

This month's Member's Hunt comes from John R. Bean of Tucson, Ariz.

Interests



Get the best of American Hunter delivered to your inbox.