QUAIL SEASON - ROLLING PLAINS: Good spring and summer 
rains mean outstanding quail hunting in the rolling 
plains ... details ahead on Passport to Texas ... 
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Passport to Texas from Texas Parks and Wildlife

The quail hunting forecast for south and west Texas is 
average to below average due to poor weather conditions 
throughout the year. But what about the forecast for the 
rolling plains?

"Pretty good, above average or great. Take your pick."

Robert Perez is quail program leader for Texas Parks and 
Wildlife. Thanks to excellent weather conditions in the 
rolling plains from spring straight through to fall, quail 
numbers are up. 

"All field reports indicate that there was continuous breeding efforts, 
lots of different size classes of chicks, lots of food on the ground right 
now - there's plenty of forbs or weeds that provide seeds and a lot of 
insects. So we're expecting hunting to be excellent in the Rolling 
Plains."

The index count for quail in the Rolling Plains, says Perez, 
is up 20-percent over last year, making it the highest 
recorded count in 12 years.

"Bobwhite hunter opportunities should be plentiful up in the Rolling 
Plains. And public opportunities are going to be best at our two areas 
known for quail hunting. That is the Matador and the Gene Howe 
Wildlife Management area."

No matter where you hunt quail this year, remember you 
need a stamp.

"We've never required a stamp for quail until this season. There's been 
some regulatory changes, so now we have an upland game bird stamp 
for resident birds that costs $7-dollars."

That's our show ... made possible by the Sport Fish and 
Wildlife Restoration Program ... working to increase 
fishing, hunting, shooting and boating opportunities in 
Texas. For Texas Parks and Wildlife ... I'm Cecilia Nasti.