Bobwhite and Scaled Quail in the Rolling Plains
Texas Quail Forecast 2023-24


Summary

This past winter was exceptionally dry across most of the Rolling Plains where some places went without any precipitation for 100 consecutive days. Field reports are mixed bag primarily to due differences in the amount of rainfall received in June and July. The first broods reported contained few young (3 to 5) which indicate limited success. Later broods have been larger and more common in the few areas that caught more rain. The northeast panhandle is one of these spots and may be more productive. In contrast, the central panhandle from Paducah to west of Lubbock has been drier than most other areas and reproduction is expected to be limited. Scouting ahead is advised this season since good hunting opportunities will likely be limited.

The average number of bobwhites observed per route was 3.66 compared to 23.16 last year. This is a significant drop and is well below the 15-year mean of 17.74. Public hunting opportunities can be found at the Gene Howe and the Matador Wildlife Management Areas where staff surveys report better quail habitat conditions at the Gene Howe. The Matador WMA will likely prove very challenging with quail numbers well below average.

Search for quail hunting opportunities on public and leased land with an Annual Public Hunting Permit.

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Survey Data for Rolling Plains
Bobwhite Quail

The following table shows the annual mean number of Bobwhite Quail observed per route in the Rolling Plains region from 2004 to 2009 to 2023 using randomly selected, 20-mile roadside survey lines.

Year Mean # Quail
Observed Per Route
15-year Mean
20183.6617.74
201723.1617.74
201652.5217.74
201538.8417.74
20147.5217.74
20132.8017.74
20123.4817.74
20115.3217.74
20108.0217.74
20096.6417.74
200818.5317.74
200721.0517.74
200613.9817.74
200537.3717.74
200423.2017.74

Survey Data for Rolling Plains
Scaled Quail

The following table shows observed numbers of Scaled Quail in the region from 2004 to 2009 to 2023 using randomly selected, 20-mile roadside survey lines.

Year Mean # Quail
Observed Per Route
15-year Mean
20180.211.55
20173.581.55
20164.181.55
20153.181.55
20140.551.55
20130.061.55
20120.091.55
20110.001.55
20100.821.55
20090.001.55
20080.411.55
20071.481.55
20063.701.55
20053.781.55
20041.241.55