When you have a pack in the area that isn't causing you trouble you leave them the heck alone. Rabiit, Quail, Pheasent and deer populations are all way the heck up so it wasn't like the yotes needed to eat sheep this year.
IL Rancher
You are only a few counties west of me (Will co.) I'd like to know where you have seen quail. I have seen a great decline of quail to the point that I have to go as far south as Effingham to find good coveys. Sure there are some spots up here but not like it used to be. You will be hard pressed to find quail in the northern section of Illinois. The pheasant populations have also suffered greatly. While they are still widespread in the state, their numbers are not like they once were either.
There is many factors for this ie: decline of natural habitat, cultivated fields closer and closer to the fence lines, tree lines, creeks etc... this all takes away from the roosting areas these birds need as well as cover. But one factor that I can help control is the coyote population and yes the feral cat populations. Bowfanatic, you would be supprised as to the amount of damage feral cats do to the game bird populations.
So yep I shoot them....all year round as a matter of fact.