Hi my name is Mike and I am from Omaha Nebraska. I am new to this forum and my buddy and I are planning to come to your state for some quail hunting. Would be very interested to hear how the numbers are and where to get quality public land. Here are some pics of me and my dogs. Thanks in advanced.




These were taken from some earlier hunts this year. Again any help would be appreciated.

Mike

mike STOP stay were you are we will come there.if you are doing that good there save your fuel and buy more shotgun shells.you can find some quail down here but it has been so dry it is very hard for the dogs to scent ,p.s. is that shotgun a beretta silver pigon ?????

It is a Berreta Silver Pigeon. My buddy and I always like to take a late season hunt in a different state than our norm. It also gets us away from our wifes. I have read some of the posts and seeing more than 4 coveys a day in this area is great. Right now we are debating either going to Arizona or Texas and I am pushing for Texas due to gas prices.

Mike

mike .. i just got a silver pigon II in november but have not shot it yet (shame on me) .if you are coming to texas it would be best in the panhandle and in oklahoma at black kettle it is just a few miles from the texas line ,also not far from fort supply in ok .....good luck

I have been hearing really good reports from guys who have been hunting the Abilene/Sweetwater area with several large coveys being seen daily. I am heading out a bit farther west in early February for the ONLY quail hunt of the year! I can't believe I am only getting in ONE trip but that's the way things have been!

From a December panhandle hunt:

Oh, and I got a new Ruger Red Label O/U in 20 gauge for Christmas that needs to see some action.

Scratch, Ruger O/U 20 ga.for Christmas, your a lucky man or Santa takes pity on you.

Lucky Dog

Spanky

Mike those dogs are beautiful. This year is a banner year for quail. We moved 12-15 covies today without dogs in the Lamesa area (about 45 miles South of Lubbock). Everything is pretty dry, but maybe we will get some moisture before you make it down. As far as public land, Matador, North East of Lubbock has a big chunk of land that in the past has held a bunch of birds. However, I think that the quail hunting ends the last of January. I am not sure I will have to check in the office on Monday. I imagine someone on the forum could direct you onto some day lease contacts; however I am not sure. I do know that in my years of hunting this year is the best I have ever seen.

For 28 years it has been the standing joke at my house at Christmas; my telling my wife that I want the Ruger. When she reminds me that she can't afford it I then tell her a new pair of socks would be great. This year she shocked me with the Ruger! I can't wait for a couple of days of chasing quail!

Good woman.

Thanks for the replies guys. Mark thanks for the compliment on the hounds. I believe we are going to come down to the Matador Hunting Area, it sounds like a good fit. We will be running 2 Vizslas and a German Shorthair. Should I assume this area is going to be like Western Nebraska (Cactus, Sand Burrs, and Very Dry)?

Thanks again guys and good hunting to all.

Mike

Mike -

Never hunted your area, but yep, lots of sticky things at Matador. And some pretty tough sledding for both men and dogs in some areas - it's in the lower breaks of Palo Duro Canyon.

We did get some rain in DFW today (finally) - and radar is showing a good line of showers back that way. And another chnace of rain on Thursday. Yea!

But, back to Matadoor. While 2 wheel drive will get ya around to much of it, 4WD recommended - especially if we get some rain!

Thanks again for the anwsers. I will post again closer to the time that we are coming down. Hopefully will have good weather and our guns will shoot straight or at least get lucky and hit something.
Got out on friday and just downloaded the pics:



Thanks again,

Mike

That's why I got myself a new Ruger Red Label O/U - to take those great photos with the gun broken open. Nice!

Visla:

According to my book, quail hunting at Matador closes on the 31st of January. I hope you can make it by then.

Mark

It looks like it will be next year and not this year. The wife says a walleye trip for a bird trip. If you guys want, I will trade some roosters and Northern Bobwhite for a Southern Quail trip.

Or a big white tail trip.

Mike

VG - those are some great photos.

Are you hunting around Omaha for those roosters?

I didn't make it up to Western Neb. this year but I love to get after those wily roosters around Ogallala it is a blast.

Never been with a little dusting of snow but I understand it is great.

Little Mac,

Pictures are from Ia, Ks, Mo, and Ne. I am a landscape designer and we get most of the winter off, so I take advantage of it and hunt. I do some guiding for birds in Ia, Ks and Mo. We are going to forgo the trip to Sd next year and hunt quail in Texas or Arizona. I am actually headed towards Western Nebraska/Ks. on Friday to chase roosters in the morning and geese in the evenings.

Mike

Hey Vizsla Guy-GO HUSKERS!!!!

I only get back to Nebraska now once a year. Mainly to deer hunt. I grew up on the Republican River in southcentral Nebraska. Was thinking of moving back to Lincoln or Omaha. Just can't leave this great state now!! Great pictures!!