By Shelby Shank
Field Editor

Timely rains and improved habitat have sparked optimism for bobwhite and scaled quail hunters to kick off the 2024 hunting season.

According to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s (TPWD) roadside survey, the quail population has seen an encouraging upward trend this year.

“This is good news for quail and for many across rural Texas,” John McLaughlin, TPWD upland game bird program leader, said. “While habitat is the main driver of long-term population trends, annual weather patterns, like rainfall and temperature, dictate yearly fluctuations. Unsurprisingly, the two are interconnected.”

Bobwhite quail benefited from early-season rains last year, promoting the growth of grasses and weeds and making up a healthy quail habitat. These favorable conditions led to population increases in nearly every ecoregion across Texas in 2023. The mild winter that followed improved carryover and kickstarted breeding activity, and cooler spring temperatures further boosted the 2024 population numbers.

“Interrupted by summer heatwaves, the rebuild has been slow, but bobwhite populations appear to be climbing fast out of the hole they’ve been mired in since 2020,” McLaughlin said. “As we enter the fall, it’s clear that there has been a significant increase in bird numbers across Texas, with bobwhites observed on greater than 50% of all survey routes this August. We expect ample opportunity for hunters in comparison to previous years and believe, with caveats and exceptions, there’s reason to be excited come Oct. 26.”

The Rolling Plains saw a rise in bobwhite quail numbers, with 16.5 birds per survey route, compared to just 3.43 last year.

While South Texas populations held steady according to official surveys, local reports suggest even better prospects for hunters this season, with good carryover from the previous year.

Scaled quail numbers also fared well, particularly in the Trans-Pecos region. Both the High Plains and Edwards Plateau recorded their second consecutive year of population increases. The Rolling Plains also saw a small uptick in scaled quail this August.

The Trans-Pecos, home to the largest scaled quail population in Texas, maintained a steady population of 20.12 birds per route. However, persistent dry conditions slowed nesting activity and reduced production earlier in the year. Despite this, the region benefited from good carryover, particularly in wildlife management areas.

“This means that while we likely didn’t build off back-to-back strong years, we also didn’t lose significant ground [out west],” McLaughlin said. “Habitat conditions will be the barometer by which we measure future production in these areas, but birds are holding tight for now. We expect good opportunities this season, diminishing in quality as we push into late winter.”

Quail hunting season statewide is Oct. 26, 2024, through Feb. 23, 2025.

Read TPWD’s quail index survey for northern bobwhite and scaled quail.