Wealth of good information on quail season

I spoke with Tell Judkins, Upland Game Biologist for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation (ODWC), and he offered up a wealth of good information on quail season.

If you’re a quail hunter here in Green Country, get ready, because this week’s column is for you. Our quail season kicked off last Saturday and will run through Feb. 15.

While predictions don’t equal guarantees, the ODWC roadside surveys and anecdotal reports suggest a promising, albeit mixed, outlook for this year’s bobwhite season. Overall, the statewide quail index is up significantly from last year, a welcome trend after several years of lower numbers.

The August roadside survey from ODWC provides an index of breeding success. This year, it showed a substantial increase statewide from 2023, jumping from 2.23 to 6.52 quail per route. No doubt this is encouraging for the commission because that exceeds both the 35-year and 10-year averages. The October survey, a more reliable indicator of the upcoming hunting season, shows a 48-percent increase over 2023. Now, while the August survey showed increases in almost every region, the October survey revealed some regional variations, with the south central and northeast regions experiencing declines. This underscores the importance of understanding your local conditions. Let me explain further.

There are four eco-regions — Arkansas valleys and ridges, rolling red prairie, rolling red plain and the southern high plain. They are primarily driving this statewide increase. This suggests that quail hunters focused on these areas may have better success. Remember, habitat quality plays a crucial role in quail populations, so even within these ecoregions, areas with suitable cover and food sources oftentimes hold more birds.

The ODWC points out that weather cycles have also impacted this year’s production. The transition to an El Niño pattern early in the year brought cooler, wetter conditions, generally favorable for quail. However, a shift to a more neutral pattern, and ultimately to La Niña, led to increased drought conditions across much of the state during the summer months, potentially impacting lateseason broods. Current long-range forecasts suggest a possible return to El Niño patterns in the spring. That matters because it could bode very well for next year’s quail population.

As I said earlier, the updates from the ODWC also include anecdotal reports from hunters and Oklahoma biologists. This summer, their observations of broods supports the survey data above. The age structure of the quail observed in the October survey indicates a strong early hatch, the department says, with the majority of birds now fully grown. While brood reports have slowed with the increasing drought, experts say there are still birds to be found.

Finally, I know many of us like to hunt Oklahoma’s public lands. For those that do, the ODWC encourages participation in the wing collection program. By donating a wing from each harvested quail, you contribute valuable data that helps biologists better understand nesting success and timing, ultimately leading to improved management practices. Wing boxes are available at several wildlife management areas, including Beaver River, Canton, Cooper, Cross Timbers, Ellis County, Kaw, Packsaddle, Pushmataha, Sand Hills and Sandy Sanders.

Remember that the daily bag limit for quail is 10, with a possession limit of 20 after the first day. Also, be aware of new licensing requirements. Those accessing properties enrolled in the Oklahoma Land Access Program (OLAP) will need to purchase a land access permit. Detailed regulations and other information can be found in the Oklahoma Hunting and Fishing Guide, available online at the ODWC website or in print where licenses are sold.

See you afield.

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John Kilgore is the former Greenleaf State Park manager. He can be reached by emailing him at jkilgoreoutdoors@yahoo.com.