Quail Species Common to Texas

• The bobwhite is found throughout western Texas. The bobwhite have reddish brown feathers covering most of their bodies. Their heads are predominately white with a black mask about their eyes. The bobwhite quail prefer a habitat that has a combination of brushy pastures, grassy roadsides, farmlands and open woodlands.
  
  The scaled quail can be identified by their light tan color with the breast feathers having black edges. The appearance of the breast feathers resembles scales. The scaled quail prefer dry grasslands and brushy deserts.
  
  The Gambel's quail are found around El Paso. They prefer the desert thickets and the arid country where their gray backs and breasts blend in with their surroundings. Look for the rust-colored wings and pale yellow breasts to help you spot Gambel's quail when you are hunting.
  
  

Quail Hunting Season

• Quail hunting season is annually scheduled for the non-breeding season. This means hunting season is from the end of October through the end of February. The Texas hunting proclamation is updated annually with exact dates for quail hunting in western Texas each year. For the 2010-2011 season, the dates for West Texas are from October 30, 2010, to February 27, 2011.
  
  

West Texas Limits and Licenses

• There are daily limits that include bagging 15 quail maximum as well as a limit of having 45 birds in your possession at any time. In some areas of Texas, only specific firearms are allowed to be used. Be sure to check your current Texas hunting proclamation for details before hunting.
  
  To hunt quail in the state of Texas, you will need a hunting license with an upland game bird stamp. The licenses and stamps are available to both residents and nonresidents. Prices start around $7 for youth and senior Texas residents.
  
  Licenses are required by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. They can be purchased from local vendors or by calling (800) TX LIC 4 U (800-895-4248). Proceeds from all hunting licenses are used by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department for improving wildlife habitat and protection.
  
  

Shooting Preserves

• For the ultimate quail hunting experience, consider going to a hunting lodge or game preserve. The quail are raised in large pens and are not considered "wild game." There is still a challenge in the hunt and both novice and experienced hunters can appreciate knowing the birds are of high quality and will not be damaging the wild populations.
  
  Many of the shooting preserves and hunting lodges also have the option of using guides and trained hunting dog for hunters that do not have their own dogs.
  
  

Safety

• When hunting quail in West Texas, practice safe hunting techniques. This includes wearing bright orange hunting vests and caps as well as protecting your dogs with brightly colored harnesses.