Mutton Creek 10-20

[Hammer time]

Put in at daybreak tried spook and pop r twin bridge area not a bite.

Went up big sac using 3/8 oz fb jig and caught a 4.98 and 1 other keeper and 3 shorts. Sun came over the horizon and game over.

Threw several different crankbaits on windblown banks up to monkey island  and only caught 5 more shorts and 2 white bass. Tuff day other than first 2 hours of daylight. Loaded up at 4 should of at 9:30, still fun trying.  Water temp 63-66

Tight lines and CPR 

[marcus]

well done sir

[waterpossum]

Put in at daybreak tried spook and pop r twin bridge area not a bite.

Went up big sac using 3/8 oz fb jig and caught a 4.98 and 1 other keeper and 3 shorts. Sun came over the horizon and game over.

Threw several different crankbaits on windblown banks up to monkey island  and only caught 5 more shorts and 2 white bass. Tuff day other than first 2 hours of daylight. Loaded up at 4 should of at 9:30, still fun trying.  Water temp 63-66

Tight lines and CPR 

That's one nice looking fish. I see one of your interests is quail hunting. It's very discouraging for an old timer like me to see how drastically the quail population has declined since I was a kid in the sixties. Loss of habitat is the most discussed problem, but to me there seems to be a lot of other factors contributing. I have pretty much given up on quail hunting, but I do get out and about and still don't see any quail where habitat is ideal. Any thoughts?

[LoweSTX175]

That's one nice looking fish. I see one of your interests is quail hunting. It's very discouraging for an old timer like me to see how drastically the quail population has declined since I was a kid in the sixties. Loss of habitat is the most discussed problem, but to me there seems to be a lot of other factors contributing. I have pretty much given up on quail hunting, but I do get out and about and still don't see any quail where habitat is ideal. Any thoughts?

I used to quail hunt growing up in SW Missouri.  I remember there being two or three coveys for every half section of ground.  I believe it is the hardcore introduction of fescue into the Ozarks, fence rows being taken out, and not enough food/cover after combining.  Quail are a very finicky bird that have a very short life and if the habitat they require to survive isn't maintained they don't have the ability to adapt.  I now live in Kansas and I'll say the quail and pheasant population has declined greatly as well.  Not intending to throw stones at MDC or KDC, but there really hasn't been a push or initiative for farmers to adapt their practices to change their farming techniques to help encourage habitat for these birds.  It personally saddens me to see their numbers dwindle to the point of it being rare to see them.

[Walcrabass]

Quail People,

  I agree that it is sad about the Quail population. I have studied these birds in great detail and would like to shed a little bit of light on their decline. When you say that habitat is a key reason you are exactly right. Weeds in particular played a big role in their survival from chicks to adults. Unlike other game birds like Pheasants the Quail cannot get wet and cold. It will kill them in a heartbeat. With the loss of fields that used to not be mowed and BROADLEAF WEEDS that sheltered them like an umbrella they are pretty much doomed. Along with that spraying fields has taken away a lot of the small insects that the chicks depend on. I remember very well an old farmer we used to hunt on telling me that the first year he sprayed his Wheat he "knocked the Quail in half". Our farming world today is perfect for animals like Deer, Coyotes, etc. That is why they are doing so well.

Walcrabass

[LoweSTX175]

Quail People,

  I agree that it is sad about the Quail population. I have studied these birds in great detail and would like to shed a little bit of light on their decline. When you say that habitat is a key reason you are exactly right. Weeds in particular played a big role in their survival from chicks to adults. Unlike other game birds like Pheasants the Quail cannot get wet and cold. It will kill them in a heartbeat. With the loss of fields that used to not be mowed and BROADLEAF WEEDS that sheltered them like an umbrella they are pretty much doomed. Along with that spraying fields has taken away a lot of the small insects that the chicks depend on. I remember very well an old farmer we used to hunt on telling me that the first year he sprayed his Wheat he "knocked the Quail in half". Our farming world today is perfect for animals like Deer, Coyotes, etc. That is why they are doing so well.

Walcrabass

You are correct.  I attended the first "Missouri Quail Academy" back in like 1995.  It was put on by the MDC and Quail Unlimited.  There was an exercise where we looked at the canopy of certain plants/grasses.  Quail like pheasants prefer to run or move on the ground and must survive in a covey.  The covey provides warmth and the ability to find food and cover as a team.  The agricultural practices are also causing issues as well.  I've heard all sorts of people suggest "stocking" much like fish in our lakes.  Pen raised birds don't survive and can cause disease spread.  Its a very touchy subject from experience when you speak with a farmer about trying to save a bird that they really don't care about.  I wish I had the solution as well as the $$ to put some pressure somewhere to really get a real initiative to help bring back the population of this precious bird that most people cut their teeth on as a kid as their first hunting trip.

[Hammer time]

I agree with Lowestx that fescue is the main reason for no birds and no cover. All the native grasses are gone thus no cover= no birds.

Back on the early 80's while in college at SMS I would kill over 100 a season, last year 11.

I still have a great time trying mostly feel sorry for my dog. She is one of the best dogs I've ever had but so few birds. Luckily her first few years there was still birds on the private land I hunted now they are gone so I hunt public land. I'm going opening day and all season, kinda like fishing it's my passion and regardless how tuff its gets I'll be going.

[Walcrabass]

Hammer and Lowe,

  Glad to see such interest in these little guys. I know a little bit more about them than I am letting on.

Quail can be released into the wild successfully. It is very tricky and all things have to be right. Releasing them as adult birds is pretty much a disaster. The best age is between 7 and 9 weeks when the grasses are tall, insects are plentiful, and the weather is hot and dry. They must be released close to water and the predators must be eradicated beforehand. If there are any wild birds around they will find them. Pecking order problems can be the end of them if they take up with another flock. Like I said everything has to be right. The problem with all this is that it is strictly illegal in Missouri and probably other states. I am not sure about that as other states have game bird release programs for Pheasants and I believe Chukar. The main thing with Quail is simply this..... something to hide them.... something to hide under from the rain...... and a good food supply. They will eat just about anything including grasses and seeds from the grasses and WEEDS.

Walcrabass

[Hammer time]

Walcrabass, I always look forward to your posts. You seem like a true naturalist and have a wealth of knowledge and experience.

Thanks for sharing, I admire and respect you. Chime in more often!

[LoweSTX175]

Another thing people don't realize is when a covey is busted right before dark it can be a challenge for them to covey back up.  A single bobwhite doesn't really stand a chance unless they can get back to the covey.  Lifespan is short on them as well.  A 2 year old bird is considered old.  I also believe they only have 2 clutches per year in the wild.  Having the right habitat is the only way for survival.  This probably isn't the right forum for me to rant about how I don't think these birds have been taken care of like they should....but oh well.