Uvalco Blog

We’re now well into Fall; the dogs are frisky and itching for the hunt and the opening day of the 2009-2010 quail season is a little over three weeks away here in Texas (opening day is Oct. 31 – as if you didn’t know!).

The question on every quail hunter’s mind is, will this year be better than last or recent years past? Here’s what the Texas Parks and Wildlife website has to say:

Bobwhite quail hunting can be hit or miss in Texas considering these birds exist here on the very western edge of their distribution in the U. S.  There are still vast expanses of suitable bobwhite habitat in the rangelands of South Texas and in the Rolling Plains, where in some years over a hundred thousand hunters flock to pursue these wary game birds. Bobs are limited in these regions by rainfall, more specifically the lack thereof.

Carryover From Last Season

This past winter was the second dry winter in a row. Dry conditions limit the availability of late winter and early spring greens, an important part of the quail diet. Of course some areas fared better than others and proper range management is also a part of the equation. Field reports indicate good carryover in parts of the Rolling Plains and to a lesser degree in northern South Texas.

For quail survey data by region, visit the Texas Parks and Wildlife Quail Forecast page here.

It’s no secret that feeding game birds will increase your bird population. Uvalco has 150- and 400-lb. quail feeders to give you a helping hand in attracting quail.

Bringing back Texas quail populations is the focus of the Rolling Plains Quail Research Ranch and your support is always appreciated. Visit www.quailresearch.org for more information.