Missouri hunters hopeful quail can make a 'comeback'

Several seasons ago, I talked to Thomas Dailey, a research biologist for the Missouri Conservation Department. He said, "It couldn't be much worse for the quail in southwest areas of the state. Back in 1986 the count was 40, but in 2002 it had dropped to just two (in terms of their study).

Dailey continued, "We do see signs of improvement with the help of hunters, farmers, organizations like Quail Forever as well a the Conservation Reserve Program where farmers voluntarily agree to remove environmentally sensitive land from agriculture production for 10 to 15 years and receive annual payments to plant grass and trees as well as construct wetlands to improve the land's health and quality. The long term goal is to re-establish land cover, improve water quality, prevent soil erosion and create wildlife habitat."

For 30 years, the CRP has helped producers protect environmentally sensitive farmland. As a result, many soil conservation, water quality and wildlife habitat benefits have been enjoyed by farmers and the public.

Since 1985, soil erosion has been reduced by more than 9 billion tons, enough to fill 600 million dump trucks as well as sequestered 1.4 billion metric tons of greenhouse gasses, equal to taking 9 million cars off the road annually.

The 2016 quail season opened Nov. 1, but fewer hunters were afield than in past years.

Jack Farmer 68, has hunted birds in the state for more than 20 years and said, "Last season was the worse season for quail that I have ever had in finding birds. Places where we always had found several coveys of birds we didn't even see a quail. Several weeks ago, I saw something that I hadn't seen in a long time ---- a quail running across a country road. Today, it's more common to see or hear a wild turkey. Hopefully, quail may be making a comeback. I sure hope so."

When I was growing up in north Missouri, what used to be a common sight was seeing a covey of quail running across a country road or hearing them call along open fields. The past few years, not many birds were seen or heard, especially here in southwest Missouri.

Dale Lee, a farmer/hunter near Braymer where quail hunting in the past has been good, said, "Last season was another poor year, but I have heard and seen more birds this past summer, so maybe this year will be better. I know there were a lot of pheasants in the Bethany area where I hunted as well as more quail here in our area. Only time will tell how good the season will be this year. I look for an improved season from the past few ."

Bob Williams, a Vernon County farmer/hunter said, "I have heard more quail calling this spring than I have heard in years. It's encouraging to know they may be making a comeback. I know they run in cycles, but it has been a long time since they have done well, at least in our area."

John Wallace Quail Forever representative in northern Arkansas, said, "An incredible amount of opportunity exists in northern Arkansas to restore bobwhite quail to their former glory. It's an exciting time for bobwhite conservation."

A recent symposium in Kansas City focused on quail and the problems associated with the declining population. Quail have always had many predators, and man is just a small part of them.

A list of predators that hurt quail include snakes, raccoons, opossums, stray cats, bobcats, coyotes, crows, hawks, foxes and skunks to name a few. There are also some people who think wild turkeys cut into the quail population.

Dailey said, " Restricting hunting isn't the answer. In Saline County we restricted hunting in some areas, but there wasn't any difference in quail numbers after the season in both the restricted zone and the other areas."

Dave Wilson, a long time Missouri quail hunter said, "It would be great if we could once again have the good quail hunting that I grew up with, but just to have a huntable number of birds would make me happy. From all the recent reports of people seeing and hearing more quail in the countryside ---- is encouraging."

The explosive flush, that unmistakable whistle along with tradition or whatever defines your reason to go afield each fall, quail hunting is both an American pastime and outdoor tradition which renews its roots each fall as approximately one million Americans set out to pursue this countries original game bird.

They battle the elements of Mother Nature; the thrill of success and defeat in quail hunting is what motivates the average hunter to pursue coveys of quail.

The key to good quail populations is and always has been habitat. Where there is good quail habitat, there are birds. Where the habitat is borderline, so are the birds.