Don't Go Early

Avoid starting too early in the morning. Quail tend to roost longer in colder weather and begin feeding later. I’ve started early and scratched my head when the dogs did not turn up a covey in a reliable spot only to watch the covey fly into the draw from their feed field when I was back at the truck. Heading out around 10 a.m. gives you a better chance of catching quail as they loaf in mid-day cover.

Don’t Go Late

Disrupting coveys late in the day prevents quail from regrouping before nightfall, leaving individual birds vulnerable to harsh conditions and predation. In winter, quail cannot afford to be scattered too close to sunset; finding shelter and safety becomes a race against time. For this reason, consider ending your hunt a couple hours before sunset, especially during periods of bitter cold, to allow quail to regroup and find shelter for the night.

Focus on Quality Habitat

Late-season quail are rarely found in marginal habitat. Instead, look for dense cover like plum thickets, staghorn sumac, scouring rush, or whatever brushy cover is native to your hunting area. Areas with good cover that are closely adjacent to food are prime covey headquarters. The closer to food the better. A prime example are locations where trees have fallen into agricultural fields. This creates both overhead cover and food because farmers leave crops behind when they harvest around the fallen tree.

Check Your Equipment

In bitter cold, ensure your firearm is ready for action. Many semiautomatic shotguns can gum up and even jam if they’ve been neglected all season. When the temperature starts to plummet, make a point to clean your shotgun thoroughly to avoid any mid-hunt frustration. Keep in mind that there is such a thing as too much oil. Wipe away any excess that might collect dirt and debris.

Additionally, many new hunters put on bulky winter gloves for their first late-season hunts. These lead to fumbling shotgun maneuvers when the moment of truth arrives. When walking for quail, I’ve never found more than a pair of thin leather gloves necessary to keep my fingers warm. Just keep those legs pumping and it will warm the rest of your body.

Read the Signs

Fresh tracks in the snow are the best indicators of quail activity. Take note of patterns: Are the tracks leading toward cut soybean fields, wheat stubble, or milo? Are they coming from brush piles, plum thickets, or thick stands of native grass? Sometimes you can also find “roost rings,” or the small circular piles of droppings that coveys leave behind overnight.

Other “sign” to read includes investigating the crop contents of the quail you shoot. Seeing what food sources quail are relating to will give you a better idea of where quail are located during the late-season. Understanding these patterns can provide valuable clues for your hunt.

Prioritize Conservation

Remember, quail that survive into the late-season are potential breeders for the upcoming spring. While it’s tempting to chase limits, consider self-regulating. Late-season quail hunting isn’t about numbers — it’s about embracing and adapting to seasonal changes. Don’t hunt the same coveys day after day. Let the hunt be about the experience, camaraderie, and respect for the land. The memories you create are worth more than the tally of birds on your game strap.