One
of the state's most popular game bird species, the bobwhite quail, appears to be
in good shape going into this fall. October roadside surveys conducted by the
Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation show a statewide increase of seven
percent over the 12 year average.
Running
Nov. 9 - Feb.15, quail season is one of the most popular events in the state,
drawing hunters from all over the nation to enjoy some of America's finest bird
hunting. Oklahoma regularly ranks among the top three quail hunting states in
terms of both quail populations and hunter success, and Oklahoma promises to be
a major destination for bird hunters again this year.
Oklahoma
Department of Wildlife Conservation biologists have conducted the roadside
surveys during both August and October for the past 13 years. The surveys, which
consist of 20-mile routes, give biologists an estimate of quail abundance.
Observers count the number of quail seen to provide an index of quail abundance
and reproductive success. There are 83 routes with at least one route in every
county except for Tulsa and Oklahoma counties.
"The
surveys don't necessarily predict what quail season is going to be like, but
they do give us an idea of how productive the spring breeding season was for
quail," said Mike Sams, upland bird biologist for the Department.
“Despite low spring populations some regions of Oklahoma are reporting fall
populations in excess of the previous 12 year average.
The turn around is due to a mild and wet summer that provided favorable
conditions for bobwhite quail production. While there is no indication that this
will be a “boom” year for quail hunters, quail hunting should be much
improved over last year.”
All regions reported increases in quail over last year and quail
sightings in the southwestern, southeastern, and north central regions of
Oklahoma exceeded their previous 12 year averages. Although, the south central,
northwest and northeastern regional indices remain well below their 12 year
averages.
The surveys
suggest early production was good, despite drought conditions over portions of
the state prior to the reproductive season. Some landowners reported
seeing young broods in late August and early September, although evidence of a
substantial second hatch was negligible in the October surveys.
One exception to the improved weather pattern was the extreme northwestern portions of the state. Much of the panhandle continued to suffer from drought conditions during 2002. While bobwhite populations have continued to stay low in the panhandle region a slight increase was observed in the scaled quail population. Due to the vast expanses of native habitat, the northwestern and southwestern portions of the state continue to lead in quail numbers.
Average quail seen/20 mile route during the August
& October roadside surveys.
Region
Previous 12 yr. average
2001
2002
Statewide
7.1
2.2
7.6
Northwest
10.2
4.2
7.5
North central
3.9
1.0
4.4
Northeast
5.2
0.5
2.8
Southwest
13.9
4.1
23.2
South central
3.1
0.5
2.2
Southeast
6.8
3.0
7.7