Hope all is well in your local quaildom, but likely it is not. The 2001 season hasn't measured up to my expectations with a few notable exceptions. Especially puzzling to me (and from most of you gauging from your queries) is "what happened to the quail we had in September and October?"

I often laud broomweed as the single best indicator for a good fall quail crop. Bumper broomweed tends to correlate with quail irruptions in the Rolling Plains. My adoration for broomweed is partly owing to the canopy's ability to increase "usable space", not least importantly via insulation against predation. But a counterinstance is in the making; lots of broomweed over most of west Texas, but the anticipated quail boom is showing signs of a recession.

A lot of hunters thought (wishfully in my opinion) that the warm weather and abundance of forbs (including broomweed) was fouling the scent-ability of quail, thus reducing dog efficiency in locating same. I searched a number of honeyhole-looking spots on a ranch in NW Kent County back in early November and flushed about 1/3 of the birds that I'd expected judging from looking at the country. Perhaps my ability to judge quail honeyholes ranks right up there with the accuracy of deer biologists to age deer via tooth wear/replacement (Ha!).

As of this writing, we've had a couple of killing frosts here in San Angelo, and scenting conditions should be as good as they'll be all year. I've got my trigger fingers crossed.

My hunts have ranged from a low of about 0.4 covey flushes per hour to a high of just over 3.2 flushes/hour; most have been outings of 4 to 8 coveys per a 6 hour hunting day. From your e-mails, I'd say my luck has been better than average (must be the dogs!).

Oklahoma's quail foreast was predicted to be off about 71% from last year. After spending 5 days there just prior to Thanksgiving, I'd say "every bit of that, if not more!". Particularly discouraging was the lack of covey calls I'd hear while awaiting sunrise in pursuit of deer. Most covey calls I heard on any particular morning was 3, and that was in some prime [at least heretofore] quail country.

Several years ago my bird dog Suzie helped me bastardize a familiar Christmas carol befitting of a poor quail season. It was "No quail, No quail" sang to the tune of "Noel, Noel." The lyrics are attached; but caveat emptor; they could make grown men cry and dogs take off on a mournful howl.

My hope next year is for a more cheery carol, to the tune of "Silver Bells." Opening stanza goes "Lots of quail, lots of quail, there's lots of quail in the country. Rugers ring, setters sing, soon it will be Opening Day." C'mon Santa.

Scent of a Quail: Toe Cheese or Bad Breath?

Perhaps I should ask this of Al Pacino. What is the origin of a quail's scent? In other words, physiologically speaking, what allows my setter Suzie to detect the presence of quail, peaking ultimately in a stylish point?

From what I've read in the literature, the scent is produced by gases produced by bacteria growing on the epithelial cells of a quail's foot. As the bird moves around, cells are sloughed, bacterial growth occurs, and scent ensues. But I have a hard time with that explanation.

Consider this. Can a dog detect a quail's scent in cold weather, when one would expect bacterial growth to be nigh? Yes.

Maybe it's the bird's uropygial (oil) gland. What is the composition of that bottled "quail scent" that you see in the sporting goods stores? Does it work? Or maybe the birds produce some type of excretion that we're not onto yet.

Or maybe it's something to do with the bird's breath. That's my conjecture. Will your dog typically point a dead quail? Mine won't. It will find one, but won't point it. But a wounded bird (thus still respiring) is treated as a live bird (as indeed it is) and pointed.

And here's another enigma. Has your dog ever pointed a quail hen (or rooster) with the bird sitting on a nest? Mine never have, and I work them year-round. Now, it makes sense that an incubating quail minimizes its scent, but how? If the incubating bird's respiration slows, it would support my theory of bad breath. Ideas or observations?

Quail Cents (and $$)

Dr. Jason Johnson, an extension economist, student worker Deana Moore, and I gathered data last year on expenditures of quail hunters. Our sample population was 250 members of Quail Unlimited who resided in Texas. They were asked to report their total expenditures made during 1999 in pursuit of quail (lease fees, dog food, shotguns, etc.).

Caveat emptor; don't let the female in your household see these data! The average expense was $10,354! I'm quick to point out that those data are from Texas QU members, not the rank and file quail hunter. We lack data on the rank and file hunter, and also the non-resident quail hunter (who, according to TPW data increased about 460% over the last decade). If you (a) fit either of these categories, or (b) lease to someone who does, and would like to help us gather data on their economic impact as it relates to quail hunting, please e-mail me at d-rollins@tamu.edu. I can forward to you a short survey and ask your assistance in having it administered to quail hunters on your property.

TeamQuail organizes

TeamQuail is more than just a name; it's an evolving plan. A group of 40 stakeholders interested in quail met here in San Angelo for the inaugural TeamQuail meeting on Oct. 17-18. Their quest was to define the issues involved in "quail decline" and begin outlining a strategy to curb it.

A subset of the above met in Austin in late November to flesh out some plans of work. Those should be available for inspection within a couple of months. Oklahoma just recently revealed its version of the same process and document, and identified 10 action items:

1. Educate landowners, sportsmen and policy makers on the status of bobwhite quail and other grassland bird species.

2. Use Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to identify areas for habitat improvement based on the likelihood of success for increasing localized quail populations.

3. Seek funding to improve quail habitat on private land and provide incentives for landowners to enhance habitat.

4. Educate landowners and natural resource professionals on quail habitat requirements, management techniques and practices that harm quail habitat.

5. Establish private land demonstration sites for bobwhite quail management.

6. Promote existing landowner incentive/cost-share programs to benefit quail.

7. Work to perpetuate the wise use of prescribed burning to improve quail habitat.

8. Support the Red Cedar Coalition in controlling the invasive Eastern red cedar.

9. Work cooperatively with agriculture agencies to modify conservation planting and existing programs to better enhance quail habitat.

10. Work with public utilities and the Department of Transportation to develop right-of-way management practices that conserve nesting habitat for quail and other grassland birds.

The items identified at TeamQuail in San Angelo are quite similar, and the responses will also resemble OK's strategies. One notable addition to the TeamQuail plan is the idea of publishing a textbook on "quail management in Texas." Dr. Lenny Brennan at Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute will be the editor; timeline has it due out in early '03. This should be a real keeper!

Wanted: success stories

As we began plotting and planning the TeamQuail strategies, one thing became painfully obvious: we don't have any sterling success stories where faltering quail populations have been rejuvenated in central or east Texas. Now that I think of it, one might list Temple Inland's South Boggy Slough management area east of Lufkin as one. But what are some others?

TeamQuail needs leads on successful restoration efforts. I'll define "successful" as one where quail populations have increased relative to surrounding areas/counties, and been sustained for at least 3 years, concurrent with ongoing management efforts. And I'll take candidates as far west as the 100th meridian (roughly US 83).

A companion request is to identify areas of sufficient size (perhaps 3,000 acres) that harbored good quail populations as recently as 5 years ago, but no mas. One of the TeamQuail recommendations will call for a series of demonstration areas (on both private and public lands) scattered across the state. There might be some opportunities to use "wildlife management co-ops" as a means of achieving critical mass for the acreage involved.

How did I arrive at 3,000 acres?? Some quail biologists are suggesting a "minimum viable population" of 800 birds (given a relatively low population density of 1 bird per 3 to 4 acres) to sustain a localized quail population against the various gremlins that act on small, isolated populations ("zombie populations" according to Dr. Fred Guthery).

Bobwhite Brigade reveals Christmas list

The Bobwhite Brigade (BoB) is starting its 10th year! What started out as a vision conjured somewhere along US 83 between Aspermont and Guthrie back in December '92 has fledged beyond my wildest expectations. Camps to be held in '02 will include BoBs in the Rolling Plains (Krooked River Ranch Lodge) and South Texas (74 Ranch). Two deer clones (Buckskin Brigades; BuB) will fawn in Rolling Plains (Krooked River Ranch) and South Texas (Chaparrosa and Mangum Ranches). The East Texas BoB, which started in '97 will hybridize with another galliform (wild turkey) to be called the "Feathered Force" and represent a new partnership with the National Wild Turkey Federation.

The Board of Directors for Texas Brigades (an amalgam of BoB, BuB, and Feathered Force) met last week in Brownwood to chart the course for the wildlife camps' continued success. You can help by sending your kids, donating your time, or sending a check. We're in need of the following capital equipment: LCD projector, 3 digital cameras (Sony Mavica preferred), portable public address system, 2 color printers (HP 950 or equivalent), and a shiny new Suburban (what the heck, it's Christmas, eh?). The Texas Brigades are a 501(c)(3) charitable organization and donations are tax deductible as allowed by law.

Plant of the missive

The featured plant for this issue is netleaf hackberry. A scraggly tree reaching perhaps 20 feet in height (but usually less than 10), hackberry fits the persona of a true west Texan: it's tough! Netleaf hackberry is a great seed-producer for quail and turkeys, and becomes especially valuable when snow or other weather situations limit the availability of forb and grass seeds. Hackberry should always be spared during brush clearing, and it is susceptible to the addition of Tordon when spraying mesquite, so pay attention there.

Seed of the missive

This month's featured seed is the venerable western ragweed. Quite likely the most important forb seed for quail in north Texas. About the size of No. 6 shot, sporting what looks like a little Taj Mahal dome, the seeds are usually in the top 3 of winter quail foods over much of the bobwhite's range. Many folks recognize western ragweed, and especially those who suffer from hay fever. But most mistake the origin of the seeds, errantly pointing to the anthers (pollen-making portion of the plant). The seeds are formed about 1/3 of the way down from the top of the plant where the stems branch. Western ragweed isn't all that prolific a seed producer on an individual plant basis; I doubt if many plants produce more than a dozen seeds.

Bobwhite Brigade cadence of the missive

(I suggest you work on your hunting buddies to have them begin reciting BB cadences as you double-time it to that covey of blues ahead! Or while you're chasing that pointer over yonder hill!)

A bobwhite quail has many needs,
insects, greens, and forb seeds.
On your next outdoor excursion,
note how they need interspersion.

Bobwhite Brigade cadet publishes Quail Seeds on CD

Speaking of the BoB, Garrett Anderson is a senior at Menard High School, and a graduate of the 8th Battalion. He's worked up a webpage showing key seeds important for quail. Those pages should be available at the BoB's website (http://texnat.tamu.edu/Bobwhite_Brigade/home.htm) within the next couple of weeks. If you like them, be sure and let Garrett know (goobergarrett@hotmail.com); I think you'll appreciate having them online. If you'd prefer a copy of the seed photographs on CD, please send your minimum donation of $25 (payable to Bobwhite Brigade) to me at 7887 U.S. Hwy. 87 North, San Angelo, TX, 76901-9714).

Remember to complement the seed photographs with plant images available at Noble Foundation's Plant Gallery (www.noble.org) and the TAMU Center at Uvalde's herbarium (http://uvalde.tamu.edu).

And remember there are 2 color posters available online; Key Seed Producing Plants for Quail and Woody Plants for Wildlife in the Rolling Plains. Another handy online source that I found on native plants is at http://www.wildflower.org/npin/index.html.

Quail Tales of the Tape(worms?)

As you clean your birds this year, keep your eyes peeled for oddities, such as these birds pictured. I found several of these birds on a hunt in Fisher County in January '01 and had them submitted to the Texas Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Lab at College Station. The diagnosis was tapeworm proglottids (reproductive segments). Could be, and when I found more birds from the same site in a November hunt, I again sent samples to College Station for a second opinion. Seems odd to me that the proglottids would be outside the lumen of the intestine. Awaiting word now, and will let you know if it's substantially different.

Desert termites taking a bite out of quail habitat

When you men you mention "desert termites" to most folks, they think you're pulling their leg. But there actually is such a critter, and it's making its presence known over much of west Texas. Have you ever noticed the desert termite's telltale "tubes" that often litter the soil surface. Also attached is an article I wrote on desert termites and quail for my column in last March's Livestock Weekly.

It's difficult to fathom that quail have not literally stumbled onto the fact that a veritable protein bonanza lies just beneath their feet. But I've never seen evidence that quail consume the termites, either from the insects in the quails' crop, nor evidence of scratching the omnipresent mud tubes.

Desert termites are presently conspiring with dry weather and overstocking on millions of acres of quail habitat in west Texas. Maybe elsewhere, as we just don't have a good idea of the insect's distribution. Take a look at the attached image, and if you've seen them on your hunting grounds this fall, let me know. Ditto if you've ever seen evidence of quail eating the termites.

Harriers and quail

TPW biologist Jim Dillard writes a monthly cybermissive called Cross Timbers Wildlife News (to subscribe, contact Dillard at jdillard@mesh.net). This month's featured species was the northern harrier, or marsh hawk as it's commonly called. Dillard's species narrative is attached (December 2001 CT News).

Relative to quail, I refer to various raptors by their Air Force analogs. The Cooper's hawk is an F-16 (well suited for air-to-air combat) while the red-tailed hawk and other buteos occupy B-29 status (powerful, but to slow and lumbering to catch many quail). Harriers are the A-10 Warthogs. They fly low and slow and dive bomb unsuspecting prey (including quail).

I've flushed several harriers as they dined on a quail, perhaps on five occasions over the years, and have seen them harass quail on more occasions. A. S. Jackson, in detailing a quail implosion in the Rolling Plains terminated by predation during January, 1941, pointed his finger at harriers as the only raptor abundant enough to have caused such widespread decimation of quail.

All raptors are protected, and the only legal recourse to minimizing their impacts on quail is to provide optimal defensive cover, including broomweed.

Quail take bite out of IRS?

If your year-end fiscal situation finds you with more money than Uncle Sam deems desirable, remember Adopt-a-Quail and the Bobwhite Brigade in your Christmas giving plans. I started the Adopt-a-Quail effort several years ago as a means to raise funds for radio telemetry research. Adopt-a-Quail entitles you to "adopt" (i.e., name it after the female of your choice) one of our radio-marked quail per gift of $250 ($2,500 for a covey); make checks payable to Adopt-a-Quail, c/o Texas Agricultural Experiment Station, 7887 U.S. Hwy. 87 N., San Angelo, TX 76901-9714. Details for gifts to Bobwhite Brigade are above. Gifts to both are tax-deductible.

My travels til we meet again:

Dec. 11 - Tape outdoor show on a quail hunt to publicize Bobwhite Brigade and TeamQuail;

Jan. 8-9 - Take 3 Bobwhite Brigade cadets on "Early Bird Special" quail hunt;

Jan. 23-26 - Quail V: The 5th National Quail Symposium (see details above).

Additionally, I have "site visits" (quail hunts!) planned for Borden, Crane, Fisher, and Kent counties planned. I'll keep you posted of my efforts, and ask that you do the same.

Many of you have had the opportunity to hunt with Suzie, or perhaps have read of her exploits from her most objective fan. Keep her in your prayers; she's been diagnosed with chronic kidney failure, and it's dampened both our spirits. Every quail hunter should be blessed with a dog like Suzie, just once in their lifetime. Had it not been for her, I might've become just another Texas biologist enamored with deer!

Hunt with good dogs, and have a happy holidays!

DR