Two species of quail can be found in Oklahoma—the northern bobwhite’s range is nearly statewide, while the scaled quail is restricted to the western edge, including the panhandle. Both species are ground-dwellers, primarily foraging on seeds and insects. Areas with high amounts of forbs can act as a food source in two ways—providing nutritious seeds, and attracting protein-rich insects. Though insects are seasonal in nature, forb seeds are long lasting and can be utilized into fall and winter. Prime foraging or “bugging” areas have a wide diversity of forbs, including ragweeds, crotons, sunflowers and legumes.
In addition to a reliable food source, quail require adequate nesting, protective and loafing cover. Though able to nest in a variety of places, quail prefer building nests in mature native bunchgrasses 12 inches in diameter and eight inches in height. Once chicks hatch, they are immediately moved to “weedy” areas with high insect activity. Morning and afternoon feeding sessions are separated by time spent resting and digesting food while in loafing cover. Ideal cover is at least three feet tall with a closed canopy and relatively open ground conditions; sand shinnery and sand plum motts are prime examples of this cover type. As quail travel from roost sites, to foraging areas, to loafing cover, woody vegetation is needed to serve as predator protection. These habitat components are best suited in a random mixture.
Oklahoma has a long quail hunting tradition. Even though population surveys show quail numbers are down over most of the state—a trend observed throughout the entire southeastern United States—Oklahoma is one of the few remaining states where hunters can pursue relatively large numbers of wild quail. Hunters harvest an estimated one to two million birds a year in the state, which consistently ranks nationally in the top three for harvest.
Regulations
Season dates
Quail Information
- Quail Newsletter
- Upland Urgency: The Fight Against Bobwhite Quail Decline
- More Quail Resources
- State of the Bobwhite Grassland Conservation at a Crossroad
- Vegetation Notes
- Shinnery Oak
- Bluestem - Nesting Cover
- The Menacing Sticktight: Tick Trefoi
Archive
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2016 August Roadside Quail Survey Summary
2013 August Quail Roadside Survey
2012 Quail Season Outlook
2012 August Quail Roadside Survey Summary
2011 Quail Season Outlook
2011 August Quail Roadside Survey Summary
2010 Quail Season Outlook
2010 August Quail Roadside Survey Summary
2009 Quail Season Outlook
2009 August Quail Roadside Survey Summary
2008 Quail Season Outlook
2008 August Quail Roadside Survey Summary
2007 Quail Season Outlook
2007 August Quail Roadside Survey Summary
2006 Quail Season Outlook
2006 August Quail Roadside Survey Summary
2005 Quail Season Outlook
2005 August Quail Roadside Survey Summary
2004 Quail Season Outlook
2004 August Quail Roadside Survey Summary
