2006 Quail Forecast
Overview: While the summer's drought certainly hurt bobwhite production, it's the loss of suitable habitat that has put bobwhite quail in their current state. In fact, 60 to 90 percent of the U.S. bobwhite populations from just 25 years ago have disappeared. Quail Forever was formed last year to help address those habitat losses with our unique model of locally-driven conservation. That model has been embraced beyond our wildest expectations with 65 chapters forming in 23 different states. Those Quail Forever chapters are made up of dedicated hunters, natural resource professionals, dog lovers, and quail enthusiasts that are committed to putting suitable quail habitat back on the ground. As we see it, there are five major factors leading to the losses of quail habitat; intensified farming and forestry practices, succession of grassland ecosystems to forests, overwhelming presence of exotic grasses like fescue that choke out wildlife, and urban sprawl. Quail Forever is addressing these habitat battlegrounds locally with chapter projects and nationally with our efforts in Washington D.C. One key to that habitat puzzle is the 2007 Federal Farm Bill which will be debated in the coming year. Within the Farm Bill is the 39.2 million-acre Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), the CP 33 bobwhite buffers initiative, and a variety of other conservation initiatives targeted at improving land as wildlife habitat. So, this November when your mind is on hunting, don't forget to vote. And as a voting hunter, learn how your candidates stand on conservation issues then make an informed choice. It will matter to you and your children's success during future quail hunts. NOTE: ALWAYS CONSULT STATE HUNTING REGULATIONS AND SEASON DATES BEFORE EVER TAKING TO THE FIELD
Alabama: The early arrival of spring jump-started Alabama's quail production season. That early start should help mitigate the drought conditions experienced much of the summer. Rains finally came as broods were coming off the nests, which should ultimately result in a hunting season slightly better than last year. Nevertheless, Alabama quail hunters are four decades removed from their glory years of harvesting 2.7 million wild bobs a season. These days, Alabama's quail harvests are in the 100,000 to 300,000 bird range with an unknown number of those being released birds. Forestation, intensified farming, and exotic grass pastures are all contributing to quail habitat losses in Alabama. The USDA's Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP) and Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) are two tools of significant potential for turning Alabama's quail population slide around. And, according to Stan Stewart, quail biologist with the Alabama Department of Wildlife & Freshwater Fisheries, CRP's ability to enroll long leaf pine acres holds the single most potential for creating quail habitat in Alabama. Season Opener: November 15
Arizona: The top Gambel's quail state boasted a whopping 1.4 million Gambel's harvest in 2005; more than double the average total. Unfortunately, those numbers will drop considerably as the state's arid climate kicked into gear with one of the driest winters and springs on record. State biologist Mark Zornes reports that surveys indicate poor Gambel's quail reproduction in many areas, especially in central and southeastern Arizona. The state's best area for Gambel's quail should be in northwestern Arizona and in agricultural areas in the southwestern portion of the state due to a few well-timed rains and winter carryover. There were also around 55,000 scaled quail taken last year but conditions this year will likely reduce harvest. However, there is optimism for Mearns quail hunters with a Mearns quail population that should produce a decent harvest. Last year's 34,000 Mearns harvest was also above average and is expected to increase in 2006 due to a good summer monsoon season. Excellent hunting opportunity exists across Arizona with over 60 percent of the state being public land. Season Opener: Oct 13 - Gambel's and Scaled Quail; Nov 24 - Mearns Quail
Arkansas: Whistle counts were slightly down from 2005, but rains did green things up for a good nesting season. Unfortunately, dry conditions later in the summer did hurt insect production for chicks. Overall, Arkansas hunters should expect a hunting season similar to 2005. The state's best quail numbers exist in the Arkansas River Valley with the best public ground found on the Fort Chaffee WMA and in the pine blue stem restoration area of the Ouachita National Forest. Arkansas quail biologist Steve Fowler reports that only 3,000 of the state's 12,000 available CP 33 acres have been enrolled, but that WHIP and EQIP are helping create good quail habitat in the state. Season Opener: November 1
California: It's only fitting that Californians harvest more California quail than any other state. In fact, that number averages a half million bagged California quail annually. Add Mountain and Gambel's quail to the mix and California quail hunters see a 700,000 total quail harvest each year. Above-average precipitation fell throughout the state, except for the South Coast and desert areas which received below-average rainfall. As a result, California hunters shouldn't have any problem bagging half a million California quail this season. They should be particularly successful in the Panoche Hills which are on the west side of the San Joaquin Valley in Fresno County. The same can't be said for the state's Gambel's quail population as rains came too late and caused for poor reproduction conditions. Mountain quail populations in the central Sierra Nevada Mountains will likely be stable, while the mountain quail numbers in the eastern Sierra Nevada range near the western edge of the Mojave Desert will be down. Season Opener: October 21
Colorado: Although the spring drought did hurt nesting conditions across the state's southern quail range, Colorado quail hunters will be happy to hear another good quail season is in store. Hunters harvested 13,000 bobs and 14,000 scaled quail in 2005 and should see a similar, or slightly lower, harvest in '06. Those harvest totals are up significantly from the 5,000 per-species harvests earlier this decade. The best spots will be along the South Platte River in the northeast for bobs and in the state's southeast corner for scaled quail. Season Opener: November 11
Florida: Floridians are blessed with more public land than any state east of the Mississippi River. And, some of those public acres do provide fair-to-good quail hunting opportunities; including the Apalachicola National Forest and Blackwater WMA of the state's Panhandle, the Three Lakes WMA and Triple N Ranch WMA in central Florida, and the Cecil Webb WMA in the south. Unfortunately, Florida hunters haven't seen quail hunting glory days in nearly 40 years because of a lack of adequate quail habitat. Tommy Hines, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission small game biologist, points to a lack of prescribed fire, 3 million acres of exotic Bahai grasses on ranchlands, and the decline of row crop agriculture as the primary culprits of the state's quail decline. Tools for recovery include the 17,000 acres enrolled in the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) on ranchlands in south central Florida, a new state private lands biologist, and 2,300 acres available for CP 33 enrollment - especially in the Panhandle's agricultural area. Unfortunately, hunters should expect to see a season similar to last year with a quail harvest of around 200,000 birds, which is a small fraction compared to the 1.9 million bird seasons of the 1970s. Season Opener: November 11
Georgia: A lack of early successional habitat continues to be at the heart of Georgia's quail decline. That lack of habitat has been responsible for dropping the state's annual quail harvest from 4 million birds in 1962 to 622,123 bobs last year. More disconcerting about that number is that only 21 percent of those birds were wild quail. This hunting season may not see any marked improvement in bird numbers due to drought conditions this spring and early summer. However, Reggie Thackston, coordinator of the Georgia Wildlife Resources Division (WRD) Bobwhite Quail Initiative, is hopeful that late July rains will help to produce the cover and insects necessary for improved success of late nesters. He points to the DiLane WMA in Burke County as the state's best public quail ground. DiLane is intensively managed for bobwhites and quail hunting is by quota drawing. There is optimism for a quail turnaround in Georgia with 5,600 CP 33 acres allotted and a state-funded initiative to improve habitat across 15 counties in the state's Upper Coastal Plain. Georgia's bobwhite recovery also received an important boost this past year with the signing of a MOA between WRD and 11 other conservation organizations, including Quail Forever, agreeing to assist with the promotion and implementation of the Northern Bobwhite Conservation Initiative in Georgia. Season Opener: November 18
Idaho: Landowners are reporting a bumper crop of California quail across Idaho's quail range. That's exciting considering last year's 179,000 bird harvest was Idaho's second highest in 20 years. Don Kemner, state biologist, credits improved riparian habitat, quail condos, and favorable weather for the population swell. He's also excited about the potential for quail habitat improvements on 100,000 new CREP acres on the Eastern Snake River Plain. Idaho's best quail hunting opportunities exist from Lewiston south to Boise and over to Twin Falls. Season Opener: September 16
Illinois: Quail conservationists are excited to have enrolled the state's allotted 27,500 CP 33 acres. Those new acres of quail buffers will provide much needed habitat for a state that once harvested over 2 million bobs a season. That harvest was estimated to be just over 250,000 quail in 2005. The state's primary bobwhite range consists of 56 counties in west-central and southern Illinois. The state's whistle call count did show a statewide increase of 12.5 percent over last year with a 13 percent increase in the west-central and a 16.7 percent increase in the south-central. No state has embraced Quail Forever quicker than quail conservationists in Illinois. There are currently 10 Quail Forever chapters in the state and those groups are working hard to convert fescue grasses to native species. Undisturbed nesting cover is the biggest habitat issue for quail in Illinois. Season Opener: November 4
Indiana: A mild winter and favorable spring have created expectations for a good quail season in Indiana. Although the analysis of summer whistle counts is not completed, Indiana biologist Steve Backs is confident based on preliminary reports that hunters will find as many quail as last year. A typical Indiana season harvests 50,000 bobs. Indiana landowners are adding 20,000 acres of habitat with CP 33 enrollment, which should help put more bobwhites in the mix. The state's best quail range exists in the state's south western and west central counties along the Illinois border. Sugar Ridge WMA, Fairbanks WMA, and Blue Grass WMA provide some of the best public ground for quail hunters in the state. Season Opener: November 10
Iowa: The state's roadside survey indicated that bobwhite numbers are generally higher than last year. Quail hunters should find the best quail hunting in parts of southeastern Iowa along the Missouri border where the survey indicated an 88 percent jump in birds. State biologist Todd Bogenschutz noted that quail numbers still remain well below their long-term average. The reason for the steady drop in quail harvest totals is due to the gradual loss of Iowa's upland habitat. In fact, Bogenschutz estimates that Iowa has lost 30 percent of the upland habitat that existed just 15 years ago. Season Opener: October 28
Kansas: Hunters were blessed with some of the best bobwhite hunting in the country last year. State biologist Randy Rodgers estimates that over 1 million bobs were bagged in 2005. In fact, Rodgers reports that the quail hunting in the southern two tiers of counties from Harper to Morton provided some of the best quail hunting in memory. This summer's drought likely hasn't negatively impacted quail populations to the extent it has pheasants. Kansas quail use more permanent habitats for nesting than pheasants that tend to use green wheat for nesting. And, there have been no heavy summer rains to negatively impact quail production. Rodgers believes the 2006 quail harvest will probably reach at least 1 million bobs again, which is up for the second year in a row from the 600,000 to 700,000 harvests of '03 and '04. Rodgers expects the southern part of the state to be very good again, the central to be up roughly 10 to 15 percent, and the Flint Hills and southeast to also be up moderately as well. CRP acres that were released for emergency haying and grazing have altered some Walk-In Hunting Areas however. Season Opener: November 11 (Note: Quail season no longer opens simultaneously with pheasant season)
Kentucky: Kentucky's 2005 mail carrier survey showed the lowest quail numbers per 100 mile route ever recorded in the state. But thanks to some favorable weather, this year's survey showed a 20 percent increase in bob numbers. That should indicate a better hunting season after two dismal autumns. The biggest habitat problem in Kentucky is their 5 million acres of wildlife-choking fescue. However, big opportunity exists in reclaiming strip mines and 9,000 new CP 33 acres. The state's best quail habitat is found in the state's western agricultural lands where the majority of Kentucky's CRP acres are found. The 40,000-acre Peabody WMA and the 6,500 West Kentucky WMA provide some of the best and biggest tracts of quail ground. Season Opener: November 1
Louisiana: Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Biologist Fred Kimmel expects quail production to be decent this year thanks to July rains that have offset the negative impact of a dry spring and early summer. Those weather conditions should result in a quail hunting season similar to last year when Louisiana hunters harvested an estimated 5,000 wild bobs. That's a far cry from the state's 1980 harvest of 400,000 quail, but the state's Quail & Grassland Bird Task Force was recently formed to help implement the NBCI and improve Louisiana's quail habitat. The state's best public hunting opportunity exists on the 30,000-acre Jackson-Bienville WMA south of Ruston. Parts of the Kisatchie National Forest and WMAs on military land also provide quail hunting opportunities. The state's major quail range extends from DeRidder in the southwestern part of the state to Winnfield in the central, up to Shreveport and Ruston in the north central and northwest. Season Opener: November 18
Maryland: Like much of the east coast, urban sprawl has magnified clean farming's impact on wildlife. As recently as 1980, Maryland hunters harvested 134,000 bobs. Today, the average harvest is under 10,000 quail. The state's lower eastern shore, from Cambridge south, hold the most quail. Landowner reports are for a season slightly better than 2005. Over 70,000 CREP acres and some new CP 33 acres are helping create more habitat. Season Opener: November 4
Michigan: On the northern fringe of the bobwhite's range, Michiganders generally harvest 2,000 bobs. The best habitat for quail can be found along the state's Indiana and Ohio border, and also in the Thumb's agricultural region. Season Opener: October 20
Mississippi: The summer's drought likely hurt quail production. As a result, Mississippi hunters should expect to see a declining quail harvest for the second season. State biologist Dave Godwin reports that landowners are beginning to enroll in the CP 33 program. He reports that about 1,300 of the state's allotted 9,400-acre total are under contract, and interest in the program seems to be picking up. That's encouraging because Godwin reports that CP 33 monitoring efforts, conducted by Mississippi State University and funded by the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks, are showing excellent quail response to the habitat management during the early stages of the research work. That's good news considering Mississippi hunters have been averaging an 80,000 bob harvest, which is well below the state's 1980 harvest of 1.5 million quail. The northern 20 percent of the state hold the best mix of habitat with the "Blackland Prairie" from Macon to Tupelo also containing decent cover. Season Opener: November 23
Missouri: A mild winter and moderate spring produced good production conditions. As a result, hunters should expect to see a better season this fall. Unfortunately, even an "up" year will be a far cry from 1969's landmark harvest of 3.9 million bobs. Missouri's quail harvest was cut in half by 1987 when 1.9 million birds were taken. In 1996, the harvest fell under a million and it dropped to under half a million in 2000. State biologist Tom Dailey reports that 2005's harvest was "well under half a million birds." Dailey points to exotic fescue grass across the state as the single biggest culprit to the decades long quail decline in Missouri. Dailey is optimistic that the state's 22,600 CP 33 acres and mid-contract managed CRP acres will help to begin reversing the population slide in areas where there is ag lands. Missouri's best quail hunting opportunities are north of I-70 covering the northern one-third of the state. Season Opener: November 1
Nebraska: The "Cornhusker State" offers good bobwhite hunting opportunities with 134,000 bobs bagged statewide last year. That was down from 2004's 164,000 quail harvest total. Although the state's spring whistle counts and July rural mail carrier survey indicated no change in quail numbers from last year on a statewide level, the north central and north east quadrants were the only areas of Nebraska to show a drop in numbers. The state's southeast corner traditionally offers the best quail numbers with this year being no exception. In fact, the state's rural mail carrier survey indicated a whopping 42 percent increase over last year in southeast Nebraska. Nebraska also offers excellent hunting opportunities on private lands through CRP-MAP (Managed Access Program), which improves habitat and provides public access on nearly 200,000 CRP acres annually. The state's CREP, Corners for Wildlife, and Focus on Pheasants programs are also creating quail habitat. Season Opener: October 28
Nevada: California, mountain, and Gambel's quail all call Nevada home. The last two years have been good for California quail with an outstanding season in store for northern Nevada this year. The state's small mountain quail population should hold steady, while southern Nevada's Gambel's population is expected to be down a little. Nevada hunters bagged 14,364 California, 1,057 mountain, and 20,241 Gambel's in 2005. Season Opener: October 14
New Jersey: In no other state is urban sprawl having a more dramatic impact on wildlife than in New Jersey. In fact, New Jersey is the most densely human populated state in the nation. During the state's spring call count, not a single bird was heard. Last year, surveyors reported ONE bobwhite in 22 trips. Needless to say, the battle is uphill for quail in the "Garden State." Hunters harvested less than 1,000 wild bobs statewide last year. New Jersey's main quail range is south of Route 33. Season Opener: November 11
New Mexico: The quail grand slam of bobwhites, scaled, Gambel's, and Mearns all reside in New Mexico. This year, the southeast will be very good for scaled quail, but poor for bobs. In the southwest, scaled and Mearns will be fair-to-spotty, while Gambel's numbers should be fairly good. The southeast holds the best public opportunities with BLM lands holding birds. Season Opener: November 15
North Carolina: The state's spring whistle call count showed an 11 percent decrease across the Coastal Plain, which boasts NC's best quail range. Weather conditions were generally favorable for reproduction with rainfall being normal or slightly below normal in the Coastal Plain and Piedmont regions. Informal brood observations indicate early and mid-season production is average or slightly above. Quail restoration efforts through the state's CURE (Cooperative Upland habitat Restoration and Enhancement) program continue on four state-owned game lands and four pilot private lands areas. Populations on these areas, where habitat is managed by installation of field borders, forest management, and prescribed burning, are stable or increasing when compared to nearby reference routes on unmanaged lands. About 5,000 of NC's 11,300 available CP 33 acres have been enrolled. Avid quail hunter surveys indicate that opportunities for hunting wild bobs continue to be best on private farm lands in the Central Coastal Plain. Season Opener: November 18
Ohio: A mild winter was greeted by a cool and damp production season. As a result, quail hunters should expect a season similar to last year with localized areas of stabilized populations. The Scioto River CREP is providing excellent new habitat for bobs, as is the state's CP 33 acres. There are 8,000 CP 33 acres currently enrolled of the state's 14,200-acre allotment. In fact, state biologist Nathan Stricker reports that early CP 33 monitoring is showing a quail response to buffers enrolled just last year. The state's top quail counties are Warren, Brown, and Highland. Ohio hunters traditionally harvest under 40,000 bobwhites annually. Season Opener: November 3
Oklahoma: Last season 857,856 quail were estimated to have been harvested in Oklahoma, which was a disappointing total considering the number of birds available. Drought conditions throughout the hunting season rendered dog work largely ineffective as scenting conditions were meager. The drought conditions that plagued all of the 2005 hunting season continued throughout the reproductive period. Unusually hot and dry conditions have undoubtedly affected production this summer. Scattered reports provide hope that the high carry-over of birds from the previous season could provide an optimistic "fair" season. The fall roadside surveys have yet to be complete but will be available on the Department's website (www.wildlifedepartment.com) when complete. The western portion of Oklahoma remains the best bet for quail with Black Kettle, Packsaddle, Cooper, Beaver River and Sandy Sanders WMAs being consistent producers. Buffer programs have traditionally been a hard sell in Oklahoma and CP 33 has not been an exception with just over 600 acres enrolled. However, many Federal and state cost-share programs continue to improve habitat for quail throughout Oklahoma. Season Opener: November 11
Oregon: The late-nesting California quail likely avoided a wet spring, so there is optimism for a very good California quail season this fall. Mountain quail populations should be similar to last year. Combined, quail hunters in Oregon harvested 133,000 quail in 2005 with the vast majority of those being of the California variety. Quail Forever is excited about a new partnership with the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife to employ a new habitat specialist to create more habitat acres for quail and pheasants in Malheur County. Bird hunters can also find excellent chukar and pheasant hunting in Oregon. In fact, hunters bagged over 200,000 chukars and 60,000 pheasants in Oregon last year. Season Opener: Multiple
Pennsylvania: Quail are severely down across their PA range. The loss of habitat due to the conversion of grasslands to forests, urban sprawl, and intensified farming practices are again the culprits. Pennsylvania's 165,000 enrolled CREP acres do hold promise for helping quail with new habitat acres. Season Opener: October 21
South Carolina: Although spring whistle counts were down by 10 percent this year, June rains produced good cover for nesting. Consequently, production should be good for a slight rebound to a 2005 hunting season that was slightly down. On average, South Carolina hunters bag 100,000 bobwhites a season, which is down from 1980s' harvests of nearly 1.1 million birds. The biggest challenge and biggest opportunity for improving habitat exists on private forest lands, including 180,000 acres of CRP planted to pine trees. With more intense management such as prescribed burning and selective thinning, those acres could produce a lot more quail. Opportunity also exists with SC's 10,000 CP 33 acres. In early monitoring of those CP 33 projects, researchers are recording twice as many birds on the managed CP 33 lands as on unmanaged control fields. The state's 7-county Upper Coastal Plain provides the best quail habitat with the Midlands region from Aiken County to Chesterfield County also providing some good quail acres. Season Opener: Multiple
Tennessee: Quail have an up-hill battle in the "Volunteer State," with urban sprawl, fescue, clean farming, and forestation all gobbling up bobwhite habitat. As a result, the state's quail harvest for 2005 was one of the lowest on record. Despite good spring production conditions, hunters will not see a dramatic change in bird numbers this fall. There is cause for optimism with six new Quail Forever chapters formed in the state and Pulaski-native Andy Edwards' move home to lead the charge as Quail Forever's biologist for TN. Tennessee landowners also have the opportunity to impact quail habitat with 5,000 CP 33 acres available. Season Opener: November 11
Texas: Hot and dry spring conditions will likely have a negative impact on bobwhite quail nesting success and chick survival. Nevertheless, even a down year in Texas will produce more bobwhites than almost any other state. In fact, 99,000 quail hunters harvested 1.9 million bobs and 453,000 scaled quail during last year's hunting season. Those numbers could have been even higher had last year's hunting conditions not been so hot and windy. In a state the size of Texas, all the major habitat issues are present; urban sprawl, exotic Bermuda and Bahai grasses, a lack of prescribed fire, and forestation of grasslands. However, opportunities exist with an allotment of 20,000 CP 33 acres and an annual reclamation of 55,000 acres of mine lands. Season Opener: October 28
Utah: California quail populations are scattered throughout the state. Main concentrations are found within urban areas along the Wasatch Front, east into the Uintah Basin and southeast into Carbon and Emery counties. California quail populations should be similar to last year throughout the state. Duchesne, Sevier and Uintah counties are traditionally the best areas to hunt. Gambel's quail are found mostly in the Mohave Desert of Washington County in the very southwestern corner of the state and are also sporadically scattered along Utah's southern border. Hunters should expect to see fewer Gambel's throughout Utah this year as a result of drier than normal weather patterns. Season Opener: Multiple
Virginia: Although Virginia's quail population seems to have stabilized according to state biologist Pat Cook, the state's number of quail hunters continues to tumble. Virginia hunters that do embark on a quail hunt in 2006 will find bird numbers similar to, or slightly better than last year. On average, Virginians bag 60,000 bobs annually. The state's best quail range exists in the Southern Tidewater counties east of Highway 95 and south of the James River. Virginia's Eastern Shore and Southeast Piedmont region also hold birds. Season Opener: November 11
Washington: Hunters will be happy to hear that Washington's quail forecast looks to be similar to the last few years, which have been the best in 20 years. The high point came in 2003 with a harvest of over 190,000 birds. Last year saw 156,000 quail taken. The majority of the state's quail harvest is California quail, but bobs and mountain quail also provide opportunities for Washington bird hunters. Yakima County is state's quail stronghold. Season Opener: Multiple
West Virginia: The state's marginal habitat acres produce an annual harvest of under 1,000 bobwhites. Those quail are found in the state's eastern panhandle, the Ohio River Valley, and the Greenbrier River Valley. WHIP acres are helping create habitat for the small, but steady quail population in the state. Season Opener: November 4
Wisconsin: Quail have been on a steady decline in the "Dairy State." In fact, DNR biologist Andrea Mezera reports that only about 650 Wisconsin hunters chase quail. Those hunters harvest under 1,000 bobs a season. Season Opener: October 14
Click here for a printable version of the 2006 Quail Range State Forecasts (Adobe .pdf 68 KB)
To start a Quail Forever chapter in your community, contact Jim Wooley at (641)774-2238 / jwooley@quailforever.org.
