Numbers mostly better than last season
Story by Craig Nyhus, Lone Star Outdoor News
Each September, the Rolling Plains Quail Research Ranch checks with landowners and wildlife managers throughout the state to get their “grade” or “score” for the upcoming quail season.
Although nonscientific, most of the responders have years of experience in observing quail numbers and habitat, and the informal survey serves as a good harbinger of what to expect at the quail lease.
After a tough last season, things are looking up in many areas, although not a “boom” year by any means in much of the state. Rains soaked the prairies early, followed by hot and dry conditions. With good habitat, many managers were hoping the numbers would be higher, and still hold out hope the abundant vegetation impacted visibility of the birds and lowered their grades.
At the RPQRR, the score was a 3, with low breeding capital cited as the culprit.
Helicopter pilot Kyle Lange, who flies from Coleman to San Angelo, was more optimistic, giving a grade of 4-5.
In Runnels County, Steve Mayer rated his ranch at a 7, saying he has been seeing both half-grown birds and is still hearing calls.
Roy Wilson, in Haskell and Jones counties, gave a 4-5 score but said he is hopeful for a 6-7 come November.
In Stonewall County, Stan Kimbell scored his ranch a 6-7, noting he had seen one covey with 21 birds and several topping 15.
At the Matador Wildlife Management Area, Chip Ruthven said the numbers were double that of last season, but still disappointing.
“Unless a hunter has an 8-foot-tall pointer, he might not see him out beyond 10 yards or so,” he said.
In Fisher County, predictions ranged from 3-6. Paul Melton said he thinks a better than expected bounceback of birds has taken place, giving a score of 6.
Positive reports came from Coke and Glasscock counties. Hollis Farris said he is seeing young birds all over his Coke County ranch, and coveys of eight to 15 birds. Stephen Howard said his Glasscock County ranch had two good hatches, and great cover throughout the ranch.
In South Texas, grades were average in most areas, with a few exceptions. In the coastal prairies near Refugio and Bee counties, Brett Huegele reported a score of 7-9.
In Brooks County, Dale Bush said they averaged 16 coveys per day last season, and this year is “at least that if not more.”
Dimmit County has been dry, according to Chase Currie, who said the upcoming season rates as a 2-3.
In West Texas, blue quail numbers fared well, with Billy Cole saying he saw three hatches in Ector and Winkler counties.
The summer heat, though, had a negative effect on the bird numbers. In Jeff Davis County, Rick Helms reported many of the birds seemed to vanish.
“Had you asked me in May, I’d have given it a 9,” he said. “Now it’s a 4.”
