Chasing 100-percent wild blue and bobwhite quail in West Texas is about as much fun as you can have on a weekend. The only thing that made it rough was the single digit windchill temperatures that greeted hunters and dogs Saturday morning on a ranch near Post, east of Lubbock.
The sunrise was spectacular, giving way to clear skies and a biting east wind. Skies to the east were dark, and snow flurries fell around lunchtime, but the hunters pressed on, looking for coveys on the north end of the ranch before the bad weather moved in.
Three or four coveys of bobwhites were found before lunch, but scenting conditions were tough for the pointers and English cocker spaniels that darted in front of the side-by-side as they searched for birds hidden in the mesquite flats and waist-high oak shinnery that dotted the landscape. The shooting was fast and the aim was poor, with several hunters having issues bringing shotguns to shoulder with the large winter coats.
The group headed for the house about 11 to thaw out and grab some lunch. The wind and cold had kept many of the birds in thick cover, and with temperatures rising in the afternoon, the hope was the birds would come out to the roads and more open areas to feed later in the day. It proved to be correct.
By 3, it was back to the southern portion of the ranch to again try our luck. The first covey was spotted almost immediately as a group of blue quail sprinted atop a tank dam. Dogs and hunters gave chase, but the birds proved to be too fast and evaded both man and beast. These birds had been hunted before and knew the game. We pressed on in search of less-pressured coveys.
And find them we did. Over the next two hours, dogs and hunters worked together as more than 15 coveys were found. The shooting improved, and by the end of the evening, a fine group of blues and bobs were brought to bag.
The next morning, the hunters headed east, to where they had heard of good numbers of quail in Stonewall County near Aspermont.
The weather was again clear and cold, with a northwest wind now greeting the group. The hunters walked over most of the 700 acres, with only three coveys found. Even though it was hard to be disappointed, we expected to find a few more. One covey of five birds was left alone – too few to risk shooting more from the bunch. Several bobwhites were added to the tally, and by lunchtime, the temps had risen to almost 60 degrees and the wind had died down. Too late for my chapped lips, unfortunately.
Once back in Dallas, the grilled quail dinner Sunday night was a hit for the whole household. It was a great weekend with good company, great dogs and some fast-moving birds.
Just about perfect, except for that wind.
