Yes, which is to say I hunt pen raised and early release birds. Sometimes at quail plantations and other times we buy the birds and put them out and have a friend with quail dogs hunt with us. We have about seven coveys of wild birds on our place, but we've never hunted them. We are improving habitat and hoping that they begin to expand and create additional coveys.

I have done a little of the pen-raised stuff and have taken very sparingly from a few wild coveys where I hunt. I really enjoy bird hunting, but I'd rather hunt something wild if I'm going to do it.

It's amazing to think that any survive. They are ground nesting birds and are near the bottom of the food chain, especially eggs and chicks. Hogs, bobcats, coyotes, opossums, raccoons, foxes, snakes, fire ants, hawks and other raptors, wild dogs/cats, black painters, el chupacabras, maybe the occasional hunter and especially caulds eat quail or quail eggs. Good news is that the pine plantation boom of the 80's - 90's are on the second or third thinnings or are being converted and creating some more traditional habitat. Burning is becoming more commonplace on private property and the replanted long leaf habitat creates ideal cover, brooding and food resources for quail. It will never be where it was, but there may be some areas that see a decent recovery under the right conditions.

It's amazing to think that any survive. They are ground nesting birds and are near the bottom of the food chain, especially eggs and chicks. Hogs, bobcats, coyotes, opossums, raccoons, foxes, snakes, fire ants, hawks and other raptors, wild dogs/cats, black painters, el chupacabras, maybe the occasional hunter and especially caulds eat quail or quail eggs. Good news is that the pine plantation boom of the 80's - 90's are on the second or third thinnings or are being converted and creating some more traditional habitat. Burning is becoming more commonplace on private property and the replanted long leaf habitat creates ideal cover, brooding and food resources for quail. It will never be where it was, but there may be some areas that see a decent recovery under the right conditions.

We had a guy bring quail to our property yesterday and had a hunt. Released 80 birds we killed 56 of them.

It's so fun, but I'd be happy with 5 wild birds. It's a shame they're basically all gone. It went south about 1980.

need To find somebody around Clarke County with a dog. We got a place that seems to have a good many wild birds. We jump them pretty often on this place we lease next to our family land. At one time we had over 50 out feeding between 2 food plots. Also got some woodcock. Keep saying I’m gonna hunt them but I won’t be back up till turkey season.

I haven't killed a quail since I was a kid, late 70's early 80's????
I also don't see the enormous flocks of redwing blackbirds that
used to show up in late fall, that was absolutely mesmerizing.
Times have definitely changed. I miss the freedom of being able
to roam where ever with my pellet gun.