What is in this article?:
- Quail populations up
- Still below long term mean
- Carryover is a key
South Texas Plains
Although considered one of the last strongholds for quail, South Texas is not immune to drought impacts on quail populations. The 2009 season was no exception and quail numbers were down. Consequently, it will affect the 2010 season.
There should be greater nesting success and production of bobwhite quail this year on properties with an adequate number of carryover birds from last year. Many properties that did not implement the proper management techniques or limit grazing pressure will have fewer birds available for production. In these areas it could possibly take a few above average years to regain populations to normal levels.
This region also experienced a wet winter, spring and summer. South Texas also had very few days 100 degrees or greater. Cool-wet summers are ideal for quail reproduction but similar to the Rolling Plains, carryover was a limiting factor. Overall, TPWD surveys indicate an increase in population compared to last year but still below average across the region. The best opportunities will be on well managed sites that held birds over from last year.
The average number of bobwhites observed per route was 8.61 compared to 5.2 last year. This is well below the Long Term Mean of 18.6 and is predictive of a below average hunting season. The Chaparral and the Daughtrey Wildlife Management Areas provide public quail hunting opportunities.