Georgia – Heavy rains affected quail hunting success last
season, but Georgia sportsmen expect better conditions this fall.
“We are expecting a good dove season,” advised Greg
Balkcom, a Georgia biologist. “We will plant many dove fields
and add more dove hunting opportunities in the early and late
segments.”
Besides quail and doves, Georgia sportsmen can also hunt
snipe, gallinules, rails and woodcock.
Kentucky – Record rainfall in central and eastern Kentucky
lowered hunting success last year,
but more birds possibly survived
to breed. Bobwhites, ruffed grouse
and woodcock numbers continue to
decline.
“Western Kentucky was also
wet, but reproduction seemed
stronger,” said John J. Morgan, a
state biologist. “Our bird hunter
numbers are dipping dramatically
so people can find good hunting on
public areas even later in the season.”
Louisiana – Wet conditions
made woodcock hunting more
challenging last year, but hunters
fared better in upland pine forests
than in traditional bottomland
hardwoods.
“Alexander State Forest,
Dewey Wills, Richard K. Yancey
and Sherburne WMAs are popular
woodcock areas,” recommended Jeffrey P. Duguay, a state
biologist. “Kisatchie National Forest offers the best option for
quail.”
The state plans to lease more public dove fields this fall.
Mississippi – Excessive rains flooded parts of Mississippi,
keeping many sportsmen at home last season.
“Wild quail populations are low in most areas, but relatively
stable,” said Rick Hamrick, a Mississippi biologist. “Based on
band returns, many doves harvested in the early season are from
the local area.”
For doves, try Delta Region agricultural fields. People can
also hunt woodcock, snipe, rails and gallinules.
North Carolina – Hurricane Florence smacked into North
Carolina in September 2018, hurting an already struggling quail
population.
“Quail populations suffered heavy mortality from the
storm,” lamented Christopher D. Kreh, a state biologist. “Quail
populations remain near all-time lows, particularly in the
Piedmont and the mountains.”
On a positive note, sportsmen can find ruffed grouse in the
western mountains if they don’t mind walking a lot.
Oklahoma – Copious rain fell on Oklahoma at the end of
the nesting season, negatively affecting upland bird populations.
“Upland game populations across the state have been
in a downward trend over the last few years due to weather
conditions and habitat loss,” stated Tell Judkins, an Oklahoma
biologist. “However, if weather patterns hold, we should have a
much better year for all upland species.”
South Carolina – South Carolina experienced a great dove
season last year and hopes for another this year.
“We had good weather throughout the 2018-19 season and
saw some good late season pushes of birds,” recalled Michael
Hook, a state biologist. “The quail season was a little better than
average.”
South Carolina sportsmen should find abundant doves on
public fields across the state. The state also created four public
dog training areas.
Tennessee – Both the quail and ruffed grouse populations
continue to decline. For quail, visit Middle Tennessee. For
grouse, head to the Cherokee
National Forest. For doves, find
leased fields.
“Tennessee is fortunate to have
an excellent dove field lease program
that provides many opportunities for
hunters,” detailed Roger Applegate, a
state biologist. “Many wildlife areas
also manage quality dove fields.”
Texas – With three quail species,
two dove species, pheasants, sandhill
cranes and some birds found in no
other state, Texas offers abundant
choices for upland hunters.
“Most of the state received good
winter and early spring precipitation,
making excellent conditions for
ground nesters,” commented Robert
Perez, a Texas biologist. “We expect
to see good reproduction and an
uptick in quail numbers.”Great Lakes and Upper Plains
Severe Winter Hurts Midwest Bird Populations
Jeff NedwickIllinois – The best pheasant hunting in Illinois is in the
27 pheasant habitat areas in the eastern and central portions of
the state. Access to these areas is by permit only, and Illinois
residents are given first priority. Permits are available via lottery
and can be applied for on the Illinois Department of Natural
Resources website (www.dnr.illinois.gov).
Quail hunting across the southern portion of the state
should be about the same as last year, which saw a third
consecutive increase in YOY (year-over-year) harvest. Officials
expect neither a drop-off nor an increase in population.
Indiana – Continued population declines have prompted
biologists to designate quail as a “species of great conservation
need,” a designation that paves the way for future habitat
improvement and management initiatives. Despite the new
designation, season and bag limits remain unchanged for 2019.
Pheasant populations are expected to remain stable. The
harvest has remained fairly consistent, with an annual harvest of
about 25,000 roosters. Hunters should focus on the northwestern
portion of the state, especially The Nature Conservancy
Kankakee Sands area.
Iowa – Iowa had been experiencing a pheasant rebound the
past few years, but harsh winter weather may bring an end to
that streak. The northwestern, central and east central portions
of the state continue to provide the best pheasant hunting.Kentucky hunters should look for evidence of this type of
management practice to help find birds in reclaimed mine
land hunting environments. (Photo/courtesy of Kentucky
Dept. of Fish and Wildlife Resources)