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Why a “Young” Quail Population is Good Sign

A report I recently read in a regional hunting magazine from the Texas Hill Country suggested that quail numbers have increased, though the author noted that “a large portion of the birds encountered are young”. At first glance, this observation may sound concerning, as if the population lacks mature, experienced birds. In reality, however, a quail population dominated by young birds is often one of the strongest indicators of a healthy and successful reproductive season.

Latest Podcast

Episode 81: A Bobwhite Phoenix in East Texas?

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The Pineywoods of east Texas were historically a hotbed for quail hunting 50 years ago but populations have waned since that time. Join Dr. Dale and his special guest Dr. Brad Kubecka as they summarize recent efforts to revitalize quail in the Pineywoods of east Texas. Dr. Kubecka heads up…

Cold Is Not the Enemy: What Winter Storm Fern Means for Bobwhite Survival
Cold Is Not the Enemy: What Winter Storm Fern Means for Bobwhite SurvivalArticlesResearch

Cold Is Not the Enemy: What Winter Storm Fern Means for Bobwhite Survival

By Dr. Dan Foley Over 4–5 days towards the end of January, Winter Storm Fern moved through Texas and much of the South with a familiar suite of stressors: hard freezes, wind, sleet/freezing rain, and intermittent snow. A winter-storm disaster proclamation was issued on January 22, 2026, and expanded to…
Dr. Dan FoleyDr. Dan FoleyJanuary 29, 2026
Keds, Eyeworms and Cecal Worms, oh my!
Keds, Eyeworms and Cecal Worms, oh my!ArticlesResearch

Keds, Eyeworms and Cecal Worms, oh my!

by Dr. Dan Foley Every hunter who cleans birds long enough eventually encounters something unexpected. During our recent fall trapping event on the Rolling Plains Quail Research Ranch (RPQRR), we observed several individual bobwhite quail carrying flat-looking flies moving through the feathers. These insects are louse flies—often called keds. Their…
Rolling PlainsRolling PlainsJanuary 5, 2026
Fall 2025 Quail Trapping Update
Fall 2025 Quail Trapping UpdateArticlesResearch

Fall 2025 Quail Trapping Update

by Mitchell Riggs We concluded our fall trapping efforts on December 20. We extend our sincere thanks to the many volunteers from Tarleton State University, West Texas A&M University, Texas Tech, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Rolling Plains Bobwhite Brigades, Texas Master Naturalists, and local landowners and managers who made…
Rolling PlainsRolling PlainsJanuary 5, 2026
How Nesting Cover Shapes Quail Success at the Research Ranch
How Nesting Cover Shapes Quail Success at the Research RanchArticlesResearchUncategorized

How Nesting Cover Shapes Quail Success at the Research Ranch

By Kyndal Underwood Successful nesting is one of the most important—and most vulnerable—stages in a quail’s life cycle. At the Rolling Plains Quail Research Ranch (RPQRR), technicians have spent more than a decade tracking where quail chose to nest and how these choices influence nest survival. A recent long-term study…
Rolling PlainsRolling PlainsJanuary 5, 2026
From Our Facebook Page
From Our Facebook PageArticles

From Our Facebook Page

by Dana Wright Every year we have people send us pictures of quail breasts with these spots on them wanting to know what they are, they are commonly referred to as "rice breast". The spots are lesions caused by parasitic worms that are a Physaloptera spp.. The quail becomes infected…
Rolling PlainsRolling PlainsDecember 1, 2025
Making Sense of Quail Surveys: Practical Guidance for Rolling Plains Landowners
Making Sense of Quail Surveys: Practical Guidance for Rolling Plains LandownersArticles

Making Sense of Quail Surveys: Practical Guidance for Rolling Plains Landowners

by Dr. Dan Foley For most quail hunters/landowners across the Texas Rolling Plains, a key question every fall remains the same: how many quail are on my ranch, and how aggressively can I hunt them without hurting the population? Answering these questions requires a survey method that produces reliable, repeatable…
Rolling PlainsRolling PlainsDecember 1, 2025