Quail Releases
Bobwhite quail have experienced the largest decline in population of any gamebird in Texas over the last 5 decades, at rate of 5.6% per year.  Recent restoration practices have shown some promise in helping these birds regain a foothold across the state.  Mother Nature certainly helped in the spring of 2024 by bringing cooler temperatures and wetter weather during the nesting season resulting in TPW forecasting a population increase for the 2024/2025 season.  Progress like this is encouraging but does take time to produce favorable long-term changes.

We get so many inquiries as to why the population has been on the decline, with the biggest finger pointing to fire ants.  In all honesty, ants are a part of a quail's diet, along with grasshoppers, scorpions, crickets, beetles, spiders, etc.  Unfortunately, the biggest reason for the quail decline happens to be us.  Homesteading and the manipulation of the bobwhite quail's natural habitat have forced them into environments that are not suitable for long term survival or reproduction.  Articles written by TPW, Quail Forever, and many restoration groups all agree that if a quail's natural biome is adequately developed on a stretch of property, the quail will return and have a chance to thrive.  There are certain instances out of our control, such as drought or flood, but proper preparation of a person's property can produce favorable results!

One of the services Quail Covey Run offers are bobwhite quail releases for those who are looking to repopulate their land.   Preparing and repopulating your property takes time and a level of dedication.  Before deciding to book a release, we ask that you read through the four sections below.  Think of each section as a preparation guide or "checklist".  If your property seems to fit each section's description, a release may be beneficial and produce the desired results.

Natural Cover

Bobwhites need 3 types of interconnected cover to promote nesting, brooding, foraging, and safety.  1) Grasslands (grasses indigenous to the area) provide cover, shade, areas for hens to lay and maintain clutches of eggs, and act as a food source as most native Texas grasses are seed producing.  2) Shrubs and low lying brush provide thermal shelter, act as whistling posts, and escape areas from predators. 3) Tree lines are the least necessary cover needed, but do provide protection from aerial predators.

Food & Water Sources

Bobwhite quail are opportunistic feeders and are not picky.  Quail gain the majority of their hydration needs from green grass, morning dew, and the water contained in the insects they eat.  Quail will visit water sources (ponds, streams, etc) if there is adequate cover near the source for them to hide from predators.  Quail will also feed on wild berries or fruits (dewberries, raspberries, wild peach, mustang grapes, etc).  In the winter, quail rely more on the seeds remaining from native grasses, legumes, and what may be  left over from farmland food plots.

Predator Control

Bobwhite quail have a number of natural enemies.  While some predators are protected by the federal government or the state (such as the Cooper's Hawk or Red Hawk), other predators can be controlled without the need for a license.  Predators that typically disrupt the brooding cycle are racoons, possums, skunks and snakes.  They find quail eggs and hatchlings hard to resist.  The red or gray fox, coyotes, and bobcats are more inclined to stalk adult quail.  Best practices for predator control include fencing, trapping, and hunting.

Property Size

The size of your property is important for a number of reasons.  You need an adequate land mass to provide sustenance, shelter, and protection from predators.  If your land mass is too small and does not meet the necessary requirements, quail will relocate to a more hospitable area.  They are capable of moving up to several miles in a day in their search for a good "home".  If your property is suitable, quail may move less than 3/10ths of a mile in any given direction.  We typically recommend property size to be a minimum of 100 acres for a quail release to be effective.