Successfully Hunting the Bobwhite Quail

I remember as a kid, my dad taking me out to hunt bobwhite quail. Watching the dogs come to a point. My dad would ever so slowly move in to kick the covey up. Hopefully with some well placed shots we would have a bird or two on the ground. Times have changed though. Hunters are abandoning upland and small game hunting. Instead they are concentrating their efforts more on deer and turkeys. Unfortunately, these hunters are missing out a good time as well as good table fare.
Quail ere hunted in the fall using bird dogs that are trained to point and back other dogs as they approach a covey of quail then, hopefully, upon command the dog(s) move in causing the birds to take flight. Now all that has to be done is for the hunter to make the shot count.
Simple enough. A hunter just has to remember a few simple tips.
Quail hunting is usually done in pairs of hunters with the aid of dogs. Quail hunting is one of the only hunting sports that camouflage is not needed. Actually, I recommend that you wear blaze orange , either a vest or hat, or both. This will cut down on the chances of an accidental shooting.
Over the past few years we have seen a decline in the habitat and in the quail population. With the population drop has a come a drop in quail hunters too. Because of the loss of habitat you may find yourself asking permission to hunt on someone’s property or having to hunt on state land. There are also ranches that cater to quail hunters and preserves are available as well. Before booking either of the aforementioned options, do your homework and check references.
Quail are found on land that has a combination of open land and woody cover. Fields that have diverse vegetation such as annual weeds with native grasses that provide quail with the seeds they feed upon. Quail like to hide in briars, especially if they feel threatened, so be prepared with adequate clothing to walk through briar patches.
You will usually not find quail in pastures of thick or overgrazed grass. Quail cannot walk through thick grasses and they feel exposed in a field with little grass. Quail like their cover and they are camouflaged so true to nature that you probably could walk right past a quail or covey if it were being still and not notice it.
Fields near woody draws, small wood lots and fence rows are all good places to hunt because quail like cover near their feeding spots.
A quail does not have a busy life. It goes something like this. First in the morning the they feed on seeds. Next, they rest in cover until mid-day then return to eat on seeds. When night falls the quail will search out weedy, grassy areas to sleep.
You can hunt quail with a shotgun ranging from a 410 to a 12 gauge. What is important is the proper barrel length and choke on your shotgun. It has been recommended that a 26 inch barrel with a skeet or improved cylinder choke be used.
The 20 gauge shotgun, what I use, is the most common gauge of shotgun used to hunt quail with 28 gauge gaining popularity with some hunters. A 7 ½ to No. 8 load shell is suggested when hunting quail.
As I mentioned earlier, most quail hunts involve two people and two dogs. Each dog is competing to see if he can find the covey of quail first. When the first quail covey is located and pointed by the dog that found it then the other dog is trained to point or back the first dog. Excitement is building as we await the flush of the quail covey, but remember now is the time to think safe.
Some things to do to ensure a safe hunt: Always approach your dogs from behind, keep weapons pointed in the air and on safe until ready to shoot, always walk in a straight line with the other hunter, know your range of swing, one hunter will have from 12 to 3 o’clock and the other 12 to 9 o’clock, and last, do not shoot at low flying quail, you could hit a dog or your partner.
Quail is a fun sport that takes time if you want to use your dogs. They will need to be trained and tended to year round. If you are already a quail hunter, it might be best to hunt with a buddy or to hire a guide who has dogs to see if this type of hunt is for you before jumping in feet first. However, probably after an outing you will be ready to jump in.