Bob White Quail Forecast 2009
09-04-2009, 07:46 AM
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Bob White Quail Forecast 2009
Bobwhite Quail Forecast, 2009
By Larry Brown
With semi-arid Texas and Oklahoma as our major states, quail are much more of a boom or bust species than they were when numbers were high from the Carolinas on south. And this will not be a boom year, by any means. However, readers should remember that quail, nesting later than other birds, were still being surveyed as this was being written.
Last year in Texas, the birds were down almost everywhere from 2007 and/or from their long-term averages. About the only exception was the Rolling Plains, which is basically the eastern half of the Panhandle plus an area slightly south and east of there. This year again, it looks as if that will probably be the top area, although far from good by Texas quail standards. South Texas, because of a lack of rain, will be mediocre at best. West Texas was described as "dreadful."
The Oklahoma harvest estimate for last year was 475,000 birds, up somewhat from the two previous years, but still not very good by their standards. This year, early survey reports were characterized as just fair. While there was a decent carryover of adult birds from last season and early brood reports were good, not as many young birds were showing up later in the summer. Western Oklahoma is prime quail country, with the northwest being the top area in recent years.
The one bright spot this year -- at least in comparison to last season -- is Kansas. The harvest there was estimated at 410,000 last season, which is not particularly good for a state that regularly recorded a million prior to 2000. However, initial survey reports this year were looking very good, at least in the northern half of the state. Counts out of southern Kansas were not as good.
Northeast Kansas and the Flint Hills both look to have strong increases. The north-central region is also showing good numbers, and with a solid pheasant population, it should be a top destination for those looking to shoot both ringnecks and bobs. Good mixed-bag opportunities will also extend into the northwest region counties of Phillips, Rooks, Norton, and Graham.
In Nebraska, this year's quail numbers are up in most regions, with highest counts in the southeast and north-central. Harvest data from 2008 is not yet available, but totals were 125,000 quail in 2007.
JW
Traveling Wingshooter newsletter
By Larry Brown
With semi-arid Texas and Oklahoma as our major states, quail are much more of a boom or bust species than they were when numbers were high from the Carolinas on south. And this will not be a boom year, by any means. However, readers should remember that quail, nesting later than other birds, were still being surveyed as this was being written.
Last year in Texas, the birds were down almost everywhere from 2007 and/or from their long-term averages. About the only exception was the Rolling Plains, which is basically the eastern half of the Panhandle plus an area slightly south and east of there. This year again, it looks as if that will probably be the top area, although far from good by Texas quail standards. South Texas, because of a lack of rain, will be mediocre at best. West Texas was described as "dreadful."
The Oklahoma harvest estimate for last year was 475,000 birds, up somewhat from the two previous years, but still not very good by their standards. This year, early survey reports were characterized as just fair. While there was a decent carryover of adult birds from last season and early brood reports were good, not as many young birds were showing up later in the summer. Western Oklahoma is prime quail country, with the northwest being the top area in recent years.
The one bright spot this year -- at least in comparison to last season -- is Kansas. The harvest there was estimated at 410,000 last season, which is not particularly good for a state that regularly recorded a million prior to 2000. However, initial survey reports this year were looking very good, at least in the northern half of the state. Counts out of southern Kansas were not as good.
Northeast Kansas and the Flint Hills both look to have strong increases. The north-central region is also showing good numbers, and with a solid pheasant population, it should be a top destination for those looking to shoot both ringnecks and bobs. Good mixed-bag opportunities will also extend into the northwest region counties of Phillips, Rooks, Norton, and Graham.
In Nebraska, this year's quail numbers are up in most regions, with highest counts in the southeast and north-central. Harvest data from 2008 is not yet available, but totals were 125,000 quail in 2007.
JW
Traveling Wingshooter newsletter
