Quail Hunting Season

2012-2013 Quail Hunting Season:

November 22, 2012 to March 2, 2013.

2012-2013 Season Outlook

Statewide, quail populations remain low relative to significant hunting opportunity, although localized areas do exhibit abundant populations. Peak hatching conditions were generally good to excellent this year in many areas of the state where habitat was suitable. Quail call counts were mostly stable or increased this year relative to recent years. Surveys and field observations suggested the peak of breeding season calling activity started earlier than usual. This would suggest an earlier start to the nesting season. This may have increased the amount of time for renesting attempts through the summer. Quail brood-sighting observations over the summer have been encouraging. As always, the good news must be taken in the context of quail populations are related to the amount of suitable habitat within a given area. Areas that are regularly managed with prescribed fire and have an abundance of native grasses, wildflowers, and low shrub cover have potential to support and produce quail. Birds will move to thicker cover during the winter, and hunters may not find birds in more open cover. Significant habitat management opportunity exists throughout much of the state, but more large-scale habitat improvement is required to provide sustainable hunting opportunities.