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North America Sportshows
Oklahoma Asks Quail Hunters to Donate Wings for Research



Submitted by:  TBC Press
Posted on: 08/19/20
News # 13815
Two species of quail can be found in Oklahoma—the northern bobwhite’s range is nearly statewide, while the scaled quail is restricted to the western edge, including the panhandle. Both species are ground-dwellers, primarily foraging on seeds and insects. Areas with high amounts of forbs can act as a food source in two ways—providing nutritious seeds, and attracting protein-rich insects. Though insects are seasonal in nature, forb seeds are long lasting and can be utilized into fall and winter. Prime foraging or “bugging” areas have a wide diversity of forbs, including ragweeds, crotons, sunflowers and legumes.

Oklahoma has a long quail hunting tradition. Even though population surveys show quail numbers are down over most of the state—a trend observed throughout the entire southeastern United States—Oklahoma is one of the few remaining states where hunters can pursue relatively large numbers of wild quail. Hunters harvest an estimated one to two million birds a year in the state, which consistently ranks nationally in the top three for harvest.

The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation is involved in on-going bobwhite quail research projects in western Oklahoma. Research topics range from habitat and population dynamics to potential diseases.

For more information on Quail hunting in Oklahoma see; https://www.wildlifedepartment.com/hunting/species/quail

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Publishers Notes:  

OUT OF STATE HUNTERS, FISHERMEN & OUTDOOR ENTHUSIASTS; Due to the Covid 19 pandemic, there could be limitations for OUT of STATE hunters, fishermen and other outdoor enthusiasts to include a 14-day quarantine requirement or negative COVID-19 testing alternative. Please check with the State's Department of Natural Resources BEFORE you travel or apply for the 2020 Fall Hunts.

As OUR COUNTRY REOPENS AGAIN (from the COVID-19 pandemic) and continue to enjoy outdoor activities, ALL outdoor enthusiasts (man, woman, child) should follow the guidelines set by nps.gov. These guidelines include; social distancing, the Leave No Trace principles, including pack-in and pack-out, to keep outdoor spaces safe and healthy.
During quail hunting season, Oklahoma hunters are asked to donate a wing from each quail they harvest for research purposes. Wing collection boxes are placed at several wildlife management areas: Beaver River, Optima, Packsaddle, Cooper, Kaw, Drummond Flats, Canton, Fort Supply, Cross Timbers, and Pushmataha. 

Upland Game Biologist Tell Judkins with the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation recently created a video showing what happens to those wings, and what sort of data can be collected. Ultimately, the wings can help determine the status of the quail populations at the WMAs and can offer clues about how next year’s season might pan out. To watch the video go to https://youtu.be/BNEtnUHPK6E

Quail Season: 
  • November 14, 2020 to February 15, 2021