Bobwhite Quail Population Distribution
This page on Bobwhite Quail is as controversial as we get. There is a lot of ego amongst hunters and there do seem to be plenty that have made their comments known. Our intent at discussing distribution on this page is not to further debate. It is to present the collective knowledge about population range and density within MAHA private lease land areas.
Quail Hunting and Population Range
We will start with this map that shows the overall Bobwhite Quail range within the region of the USA that the MAHA staff has very thoroughly surveyed.
This is what we know from our boots on the ground behind our own dogs. The shaded area shows roughly the Bobwhite Quail distribution within the Kansas, Missouri and Iowa states where we operate.
This will be disputed by others.
Our perception is on huntable populations. Not every where Bobwhite may exist.
Within this area it is not all equal. There are from year to year varying localities of better quail hunting.
It is always difficult to demonstrate Bobwhite densities. Especially by text versus actually being in the field. The closest we have come to showing density is this picture that some have criticized as being irrelevant.
Regardless of the negative feedback none of those folks have ever offered an alternative. So we will continue to display this picture and the information it contains.
This picture is of three distinct covey roost piles. This not to say there are three coveys. It is from one covey that has anchored itself to this small area.
Finding such a spot on a farm through the season is not hard. Having several of these farms in close proximity makes for a good day's hunt.
We deduce that three covey piles in one small spot in addition to others in the same field demonstrate this covey has not been pressured off this farm. This picture was taken in mid December on a farm of 160 acres that more often than not always held at least one covey of around 20 birds. This farm was also a good hunt in terms the coveys flushed along a wooded creek bottom allowing for plenty of singles action.
Another point about Bobwhite in this region is that any crop field with any type of edge, drainage or brush habitat is a must hunt field. Not all will hold a covey. But enough will that will motivate the upland bird hunter to get out and work his dogs.
A last point about your Association staff. None of us claim to be quail hunting experts or have the best dogs. We simply enjoy upland birds and dogs whether we bag out or not. For those that wish to debate what is the best dog or how to best hunt or what is the ideal habitat they will find a better discussion with others than ourselves. For those that understand the true value of quail hunting with their own dogs then we look forward to talking with you.
Association Quail Hunting & Hunter Feedback
A pic from last season. Good hunt, everything good.
For the rest of us these two hunters are self employed small business owners. They on appearance have plenty of time to hunt, in reality like all small business folks the line between their life and work is a fine one. When quail hunting they seem to do well, They will also tell of more non-limit days than limit days.
Finding tracks as fresh as came be found is never a guarantee of finding the covey.
The tracks at right seemed to have been made by us pushing them up out of a drainage. We tracked them to the cedars growing along a fence line. When we reached the cedars they flushed out the far side, across the field and we watched them go down. We never had a point, or a shot opportunity before or after finding these tracks.
There are as many of these "failed" quail hunting stories as successful ones throughout this web site. We do not pretend that all hunts are great ones.
The many limit and near limit pictures on this web site sometimes develops expectations in others that every day has plenty of birds in the bag. That is not true. Every day should be a good hunt in terms of plenty of land, good cover and freedom from other hunters. That is a good hunt. After that it is a mater of hatch survival, dog power, shooting skill and the willingness to walk.