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OKLAHOMA - Could this be the boom year for bobwhites in Oklahoma? There are signs it could happen -- at least in the western half of the state.
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Research has shown that two or three consecutive years of favorable weather and habitat conditions are necessary to produce a respectable crop of quail. And 2016 proved to be the third consecutive year in Oklahoma in which habitat, rainfall and temperatures have been favorable for quail.
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"Spring and summer were textbook for producing lots of quail," said Wade Free, assistant director of operations for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation and avid quail hunter. The ideal conditions often allow quail to nest several times during summer, which adds even more to the population.
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In general, annual roadside surveys conducted by the Wildlife Department show that quail numbers are higher this year over 2015 in all regions of the state except north-central Oklahoma. Overall, Oklahoma's quail population index is up 38.48 percent from 2015, and is now 44.6 percent higher than the 27-year statewide average.
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Derek Wiley, upland game biologist with the Wildlife Department, said the recovery in quail numbers this year continues a trend that began in the summer of 2013. "There will be plenty of opportunity to harvest quail all across Oklahoma this hunting season," he said.
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So, if a hunter saw some good bird hunting last year, he or she might have better success this year.
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To give quail hunters a general idea of conditions they can expect to see on opening day Saturday, Nov. 12, biologists with the Wildlife Department of have submitted their observations for this 2016 Whistle Report.
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NORTHWEST REGION
Reported by Eddie Wilson, senior biologist
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CURRENT ASSESSMENT: Quail numbers are looking good throughout the northwest and eastern Panhandle again this year. Most of the region appears to have quail populations as good as last year. Numbers are reported down slightly at Canton and Drummond wildlife management areas.
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HABITAT CONDITIONS: Conditions are good. Plenty of cover and native food sources are available. Most of the WMAs received good rainfall throughout summer. But currently, much of the region is very dry, with little to no rainfall since early September.
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LANDOWNER REPORTS: Landowners and WMA hunters are seeing and hearing good numbers of quail this fall.
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PUBLIC LAND BEST BETS: WMAs in the Northwest that will offer good quail numbers this season include Beaver, Cooper, Fort Supply and Cimarron Hills. Note that quail hunting closes at 4:30 p.m. on most Northwest Region WMAs. Hunting hours close at noon daily at Cimarron Hills WMA.
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TIPS: Hunting will likely be best during morning hours, if the high temperatures, winds and dry conditions persist. Most areas produced a good sandbur crop again this year, so be prepared to boot the dogs. Porcupine populations are also doing well, so hunters may encounter one.
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SEASON OUTLOOK: The overall outlook appears to be on pace for another good year of quail hunting in northwestern Oklahoma. Hopefully we can get some cool temperatures and moisture by opening weekend. Good luck!
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As sportsmen and sportswomen prepare their camo, shotguns and decoys for hunting, the Wildlife Department reminds hunters to make sure they have the required licenses, permits and certifications allowing them to hunt before going afield.
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License and permit revenues form the backbone of funding for the Wildlife Department's fish and wildlife conservation and management activities. The Wildlife Department receives no general tax appropriations from the state.
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"The annual resident hunting or fishing license costs just $25, and that price has remained the same for many years," Chrisman said. "Every time you buy a license, you are helping fund conservation activities that improve hunting and fishing across Oklahoma."
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To find out which hunting licenses, permits and certifications are required when in the field and who is exempt from specific licenses or permits, consult the 2016-17 Oklahoma Hunting & Fishing Regulations Guide online at wildlifedepartment.com/laws_regs.htm or in print wherever hunting and fishing licenses are sold.
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In addition, license reference guides are online at wildlifedepartment.com/ license/resident.pdf for state resident hunters, and wildlifedepartment.com/license/nonresidentlicense.pdf for nonresident hunters. And most hunters ages 10-30 are required to be hunter education-certified unless designated as an apprentice.
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All required hunting licenses and permits are available at the Wildlife Department's online License Counter at wildlifedepartment.com/licensing. Licenses are also sold by hundreds of authorized vendors across the state.
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Sales of resident lifetime, senior citizen lifetime and disabled veteran lifetime licenses require additional paperwork and are only sold at Wildlife Department headquarters or by mail. Anyone needing to buy a license in person can visit the Wildlife Department's Oklahoma City temporary headquarters, 2145 N.E. 36th St. For more information, call the License Section at (405) 521-3852.
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