How about a 2 bird limit???

[V-John]

The 8 bird quail limit is not a problem. Its assholes that have no respect and will kill 8 birds out of a 20 bird covey and then go back 2 weeks from now and do it again and take them down to 4 birds remaining.

People are the problem when they shoot out a covey.

Habitat is the number one factor regarding that bird. I dont respect anyone that would take the majority of a covies birds, however hunting pressure on quail has been talked about and I believe there are plenty of studies to back up the fact that hunting has a minimal affect on them.

I agree, but lowering a limit to eight will help keep the assholes out of the equation.

Maybe. I mean, they'll still shoot em out of they can, but...

The problem is that taking that many birds out of a covey not only affects the birds you shot, but the birds you don't.

Troy, I've always been in the camp that turkeys don't impact quail in the fact that they eat them, but since they do compete for the same habitat, this added pressure isn't helping them any. As you said, they either leave, or die. If they leave, where do they go? Habitat is becoming at a premium anyways. They may not have anywhere to go.

 

[V-John]

common sense should prevail here, no matter what the limit, you just don't "shoot out" a covey........

Totally agree, but "common sense" is at a premium it seems these days, and legalities are the end all be all it seems.

 

[KU Pheasant Hunter]

Another example of why quail are for counting and pheasants are for shooting!

 

[Soonerhead]

As far as quail go, at what point do they become endangered? There are less quail here in the NW corner than prairie chickens.

Maybe if we only shot the males???

 

[kansasbrittany]

Maybe if we only shot the males???

I know that comment was sorta tongue-in-cheek, but the truth is, some guys do only shoot at the males. Maybe me and my hunting partner(s) will try that this w/e.......

What month are you hunting KS this season Stace?

 

[Soonerhead]

I know that comment was sorta tongue-in-cheek, but the truth is, some guys do only shoot at the males. Maybe me and my hunting partner(s) will try that this w/e.......

What month are you hunting KS this season Stace?

Looks like I am going to come in January. My wife and I "discussed" my trip the other day, and with me out of work until after the first of the year, and Christmas coming up, it would be best to wait until then. The positives are that I will have a little money after Christmas, I can ask for a KS Non-resident hunting license from Santa Claus, and I've heard the birds get kinda bunched up when it gets colder. Also, my kids haven't really had to feel the impacts of me losing my job yet, and this way, their Christmas won't be affected by it either...that's my goal. But if I wait until January, everybody wins. Plus, Freckles is making some awesome progress and she should be ready to go by then! Also, I may have someone to split the cost of gas and stuff if I wait until then. The only major downside is that I have to sit here and read all season about all you guys getting to go hunting. Haha...are you gonna be available in January? Also, how does late season hunting change?

 

[kansasbrittany]

...are you gonna be available in January? Also, how does late season hunting change?

I should know the answer to the first question after tomorrow.

Januray hunting.... Seldom do I sweat and the dogs don't get tired as fast:thumbsup: The birds bunch up and they're harder to get in the bag IMO. The big flushes are exciting, but they often erupt from beyond gun range. January hunts tend to be very peaceful in that there just aren't as many hunters about.

 

[Jakeismydog2]

I agree with V John on reducing the limit... although I have never been a good enough shot to have to worry about limiting out, or shooting out a covey.

 

[Derek Sears]

Run the dogs, tell tall tales, lift a glass to those that have passed, and think of what's to come. There are children, puppies, and cohorts that need us to look up to. Keep it legal, keep it moral, keep it fun! It's not about the numbers, it's about the miles and the smiles.

:10sign:Exactly:thumbsup:

 

[Toad]

Troy, I've always been in the camp that turkeys don't impact quail in the fact that they eat them, but since they do compete for the same habitat, this added pressure isn't helping them any. As you said, they either leave, or die. If they leave, where do they go? Habitat is becoming at a premium anyways. They may not have anywhere to go.

We actually have quail roaming our neighborhood now, where we used to only have turkeys. One neighbor did a small habitat project where he went in and cut out a cedar forest and replanted it to native grass on about 10 acres. Another neighbor accidentally burned off a couple hundred acres that was also cedar-choked... I've been trapping raccoons and possums for the last two years and removed something like 20 raccoons and 30 possums on my 2 acres alone. The turkeys have had terrible nesting success for several years straight, I think due to heavy Spring rains. One of those factors or all of them (not sure), but the quail numbers have been creeping up for the last few years and a 30-bird covey was spotted in September this year. I never saw or even heard a quail when we first moved out here, but their numbers have been growing. Several quail have been spotted picking grit right at the end of our driveway this year. UNBELIEVABLE!:10sign:

6-7 years ago, it wasn't unusual to see a dozen turkeys in the yard, but I haven't seen as much as a track in a year or two. Maybe the turkeys aren't "killing" quail, but there has to be a correlation somewhere. Competition or something to that effect. All I know is the turkeys are gone and the quail are back. Hope it lasts!

 

[kansasbrittany]

We actually have quail roaming our neighborhood now, where we used to only have turkeys. One neighbor did a small habitat project where he went in and cut out a cedar forest and replanted it to native grass on about 10 acres. Another neighbor accidentally burned off a couple hundred acres that was also cedar-choked... I've been trapping raccoons and possums for the last two years and removed something like 20 raccoons and 30 possums on my 2 acres alone. The turkeys have had terrible nesting success for several years straight, I think due to heavy Spring rains. One of those factors or all of them (not sure), but the quail numbers have been creeping up for the last few years and a 30-bird covey was spotted in September this year. I never saw or even heard a quail when we first moved out here, but their numbers have been growing. Several quail have been spotted picking grit right at the end of our driveway this year. UNBELIEVABLE!:10sign:

6-7 years ago, it wasn't unusual to see a dozen turkeys in the yard, but I haven't seen as much as a track in a year or two. Maybe the turkeys aren't "killing" quail, but there has to be a correlation somewhere. Competition or something to that effect. All I know is the turkeys are gone and the quail are back. Hope it lasts!

:10sign:Thanks for sharing. I believe you just told us why, the turkey habitat was swapped for the quail habitat. That's great news either way!!

 

[Tailfeathers]

Being from PA I do not know much about quail or pheasant numbers, but I can tell you this when it comes to deer you can kill them off quickly! PA has done just that with their liberal amount of doe tags and 2 week season for rifle. They have now realized this and went to just one week of doe. You may not be able to kill all the game off, but everyone together can!

 

[jeffstally]

common sense should prevail here, no matter what the limit, you just don't "shoot out" a covey........

What would be considered shooting out a covey? I have hear that they need at least 5-6 left to survive the winter. Also, does it help the quail to stop hunting them at 4:00?

 

[V-John]

What would be considered shooting out a covey? I have hear that they need at least 5-6 left to survive the winter. Also, does it help the quail to stop hunting them at 4:00?

I like to give them time to get back together, and I try not shoot at covies less then 8ish.

 

[westksbowhunter]

We do our best to shoot only male bobwhites.

 

[labsnslabs]

Arent quail monogamous, so shooting only males really doesnt help anything? There is a really good article on quail done by a professor at Clemson. I know that isnt Kansas but it has some good insights on quail behavior and habits. I tried to post the link but it wasnt working right. I will copy it but you might have to just type in the address yourself.

http://www.clemson.edu/extension/natural_resources/wildlife/publications/pdfs/fs7_bobwhite_quail.pdf

 

[Prairie Drifter]

Labs, quail are not monogamous. They are also not totally polyagous. If you get a chance, buy "On Bobwhites" by Fred Guthrey, good book with a lot of insights on the questions in this thread.

 

[labsnslabs]

Drifter, I will have to start emailing you first before I post on here, I've come to realize i dont know half of what I should I dont think my mouth can take another foot in it. After many hours of company research and by company research I mean looking on the internet at work. I couldnt find a dang thing to back up the Turkey theory which I'm sure you already knew. I appreciate you setting me straight. I will look into getting the book you suggested.

 

[Soonerhead]

Drifter, I will have to start emailing you first before I post on here, I've come to realize i dont know half of what I should I dont think my mouth can take another foot in it. After many hours of company research and by company research I mean looking on the internet at work. I couldnt find a dang thing to back up the Turkey theory which I'm sure you already knew. I appreciate you setting me straight. I will look into getting the book you suggested.

Here guys, check this out. I found it on the Departments' web site yesterday. It makes for a VERY interesting read regarding quail and quail habitat....enjoy, and lemme know what you think.

http://kdwpt.state.ks.us/news/Hunting/Upland-Birds Click on the link that says common misconceptions about upland game. :thumbsup:

 

[Soonerhead]

Here guys, check this out. I found it on the Departments' web site yesterday. It makes for a VERY interesting read regarding quail and quail habitat....enjoy, and lemme know what you think.

http://kdwpt.state.ks.us/news/Hunting/Upland-Birds Click on the link that says common misconceptions about upland game. :thumbsup:

Damn'ed those trees!!! You know, I think I'm going to write the department about their website. It is far and away better than a lot of other states' sites that I have visited. These guys do a GREAT job time and time again of putting together a great website! Way to go guys! Mega kudos. It put's the Oklahoma one that I use to shame.