Forecast: Incidental reports of brood sightings have been about average this year, particularly in areas where habitat is managed more extensively, according to state quail coordinator Paul Grimes with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. Observational reports of brood sightings from managers and spring bobwhite whistle counts suggest quail numbers are comparable or improved from last year on managed areas.
“Timely and plentiful amounts of rainfall early in the breeding season led to more optimal conditions for much of the lower coastal plain of Georgia, particularly on managed lands,” Grimes said. “Reports from Tall Timbers Research Station and Land Conservancy and the Albany Quail Project indicate higher than average adult survival going into the late breeding season, which suggests that on certain managed areas, we can expect to see numbers as good or slightly better than last year.”
Quail hunters seeking public hunting opportunities in Georgia should consider applying for hunts through the Georgia Wildlife Resources Division,
Quota Hunt System. The top public quail hunting opportunity in the state remains the quota hunt(s) on Di-Lane Plantation WMA. Other quail quota hunts of interest include Silverlake WMA, Chickasawahatchee WMA, and Albany Nursery WMA. These areas are relatively new Bobwhite Quail Initiative Focal Areas and are intensely managed to restore “huntable” densities of bobwhites. Other areas where hunters might expect to find low to moderate densities of bobwhites that are not quota hunts include, but are not limited to, River Creek WMA, Elmodel WMA, Clark Hill WMA, and Yuchi WMA.
The Georgia Bobwhite Quail Initiative (BQI) continues to provide Georgia landowners with professional technical assistance on integrating quail restoration efforts into working landscapes. BQI continues to partner with the Natural Resources Conservation Service to provide landowners with the opportunity to apply for The Bobwhite Quail and Southern Pine Savanna Restoration Pilot Project. This project was met with overwhelming demand last year so interested landowners are encouraged to apply soon. To find a BQI biologist near you, call 478-994-7583.
Season Dates: November 12, 2016 through February 28, 2017
Daily Bag Limit: 12
Possession Limit: N/A
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