Turned out the guy was Cody Strong, who at the time was Pheasants Forever’s biologist for southeast Colorado. Our conversation quickly turned to quail numbers in Colorado and the prospects for the coming season. His eyes lit up, and his voice rose an octave: Winter snows and timely spring rains promised exceptional hunting in the fall.
Quail populations in southeastern Colorado are boom or bust, depending largely on moisture. Ample winter moisture and timely spring rains typically produce a bumper crop of quail, given an ample carryover from the previous year. The last time southeast Colorado quail numbers flourished was during the 2015-2016 season. Word had it that the stage was set for another banner year in 2019-2020.
Normally, prime habitat for any given game bird species encompasses a large area, and there’s a gradual transition between habitat types. However, that’s not the norm for blue (scaled) quail and bobwhite quail in southeastern Colorado. Their preferred habitat couldn’t be more different and yet are near enough to each other that you can hunt both species in a single day or weekend. On rare occasions, you’ll find both in the same habitat.
Blue quail were on my bucket list. I’d shot bobwhites before whenever I stumbled into them. I didn’t dream that I could hunt both species the same day.
Strong and I determined some mutually agreeable dates in late December, and we were fortunate that Colorado Wildlife and Parks biologist Jonathon Reitz, who works out of the Lamar office, could join us for a hunt. Strong and Reitz worked closely together managing habitat and wildlife populations in the area. The Quail Whisperers I labeled them, given their shared curiosity and knowledge about quail.
This story is from the Winter 2019 edition of The Upland Almanac.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the Winter 2019 edition of The Upland Almanac.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Tailfeathers
The essence of fly fishing, I think I've decided, is time.
Ten Questions with Tim Flagler, Fly Tyer/Cook Extraordinaire
Culinary Creations from Gordon Hamersley
GREY on the Wing
Hands clutching the wheel of a large, lumbering vehicle whose vintage and purpose partially prompted the invention of \"powering steering,\" disengaged the clutch and applied the brakes, bringing it to a stop.
James Purdey & Sons Ltd.One of London's "Best"
At the conclusion of a recent breakfast meeting of the Shrewsbury Men's Club of Massachusetts, I was packing up my show-and-tell aids after giving a presentation.
WAWAWAI
I don't chase chukars anymore, but from the time I was 16, chukar hunting had been my favorite bird hunting endeavor.
A FAIR EXCHANGE
Among the concerns faced by many small community gun clubs here in the Northeast is our inability to attract and maintain new and younger shooters.
Coming to Heel
I'n the world of gun dogs, it's not unusual that retrievers are taught to heel.
Bird Dogs - Health Matters
Avoiding Medical Mishaps on the Road
MATT HART
Matt Hart, owner, designer and artist of Hartist Metals, is a highly skilled metal sculptor based in the picturesque Catskill Mountains of New York.
Luigi Franchi Imperial Monte Carlo Extra: One of Italy's "Best" SxS Doubles
As on London’s gun-maker’s row, Italians had skilled craftsmen who made “Best” guns of superb quality