East kern county quail

[turkeyman 85]

Well we went out yesterday morning for some post thanksgiving quail hunting. Found that numbers are up but my spot really isn't crawling as in years past. But the hunting was still high paced. I got six but lost one and called it for the day.

 

[Kellendv]

Sounds like a great day! And sounds like you have some good sized coveys up there.

 

[Lungpopper]

great picture.

 

[Gspman]

great picture.

Yea it's like art. Some one knows what they are doing with a camera.... Or got lucky.

 

[turkeyman 85]

great picture.

Yea it's like art. Some one knows what they are doing with a camera.... Or got lucky.

Here is one from a few years ago. It's kinda my standard pose for these little guys.

 

[Bonejour]

Great pics.

 

[SluiceCoot]

That's a good day for this year, in eastern Kern Co. I hunt there as well and although the numbers are up from last year it's still low overall. I found they have been busting much earlier and not holding as much too. Have you noticed the same?

 

[ilovesprig]

Congrats.........Another tough year for quail & chukar........

 

[turkeyman 85]

Sluice 45+yards all day long man. They're all hold over adults but did see some young birds when I was driving.

 

[2dogs1name]

That's a good day for this year, in eastern Kern Co. I hunt there as well and although the numbers are up from last year it's still low overall. I found they have been busting much earlier and not holding as much too. Have you noticed the same?

In SoCal we are seeing similar behavior with coveys busting earlier than I can remember.

 

[Kellendv]

That's a good day for this year, in eastern Kern Co. I hunt there as well and although the numbers are up from last year it's still low overall. I found they have been busting much earlier and not holding as much too. Have you noticed the same?

In SoCal we are seeing similar behavior with coveys busting earlier than I can remember.

It is because they are all adult, educated birds. Very few juveniles due to drought.

 

[2dogs1name]

In SoCal we are seeing similar behavior with coveys busting earlier than I can remember.

It is because they are all adult, educated birds. Very few juveniles due to drought.

Exactly! Which makes me worried for years to come..

 

[Kellendv]

In SoCal we are seeing similar behavior with coveys busting earlier than I can remember.

It is because they are all adult, educated birds. Very few juveniles due to drought.

Exactly! Which makes me worried for years to come..

Yeah times are bad for game birds right now. I rarely kill more than 2 birds on a hunt, I just feel bad for them. Hopefully the predicted rains come this winter, if so there will be plenty of feed in the spring for the young. Next year things may be looking up! One can only hope....

 

[TaftHunter]

In SoCal we are seeing similar behavior with coveys busting earlier than I can remember.

It is because they are all adult, educated birds. Very few juveniles due to drought.

Exactly! Which makes me worried for years to come..

Yeah times are bad for game birds right now. I rarely kill more than 2 birds on a hunt, I just feel bad for them. Hopefully the predicted rains come this winter, if so there will be plenty of feed in the spring for the young. Next year things may be looking up! One can only hope....

If you feel bad why are you hunting them? Lol where I hunt bird numbers are below 80% of an average year.. I haven't even tried to hunt them..


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[Kellendv]

In SoCal we are seeing similar behavior with coveys busting earlier than I can remember.

It is because they are all adult, educated birds. Very few juveniles due to drought.

Exactly! Which makes me worried for years to come..

Yeah times are bad for game birds right now. I rarely kill more than 2 birds on a hunt, I just feel bad for them. Hopefully the predicted rains come this winter, if so there will be plenty of feed in the spring for the young. Next year things may be looking up! One can only hope....

If you feel bad why are you hunting them? Lol where I hunt bird numbers are below 80% of an average year.. I haven't even tried to hunt them..


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I have two English setters that live for it. And despite "poor" bird numbers, there are still birds all over the county. Numbers are slightly improved from last year. I hunt a lot and shoot a little because I love to watch my dogs hunt, but I moderate my take based on covey size. Rotate hunt spots to keep pressure down on any one covey. Just because I "feel" bad for them doesn't mean I'm not passionate about hunting them.

Edit: Sorry for derailing the topic.

 

[TonyS]

Kellen,

I agree with you. Sometimes we find birds and I don't shoot 'em just to watch my dog find 'em. That's the real fun for me.