Public Quail Question

Simple question. I found good numbers of quail at a public place, if I go out Saturday and walk to find some coveys, a

m I going to piss off deer hunters? Is there any unwritten code on this?

personally I wouldn't do it. why do you want to walk around when you know hunters are there and might make a mistake and you get shot?this is the same reason I don't do much coyote calling during deer season, unless I know positively that no one else is in the immediate area.

Most public lands do not have crossover (except Nat. Forest). Like say San Angelo State park has deer until 12/14, then quail from 12/15 - 2/1. The big aph lands have draw hunts for deer and close for quail during that time.

I have never seen any public land in Texas that allowed both at the same time. (not saying it isn't possible but I would check the regulations) I can guarantee you this, if there are birds and it's open to quail hunting, you will not be the only one there.

Try it after 9:00 in the morning

Quail season opens this Saturday. Deer gun season opens November 1st. So your talking about bowhunters in the tail end of archery season. On public land that has Quail present, bowhunters are likely thinking the same question about the opening weekend of Quail season. No one is going to accidentally shoot your dog with a bow or crossbow and being public land they should also be aware encounters with other hunters is going to be possible. As a long time bowhunter I would have scouted in advance and counted on bird hunters to show up and have set myself up on deer escape routes. As a long time bird hunter, if I encounter a bowhunter, the moment I see them I would nod and wave a "sorry" type gesture, leashed the dog, back out the way I came, then hunt in a different direction or move to a different area on the public land unit. It happens. If hog hunting with rifles or shotgun with slugs ia allowed during this time, I advice an orange vest for the dog. I have often hunted a WMA that was open for hog hunters, encountered hog hunters, but handled in the same way as above, none have ever showed or indicated any anger towards me, and the ones that came up to me have gotten good intel from me on where I have seen hogs recently or on the same day. I would avoid the opening weekend of Gun Season though because of the large amount of pressure Texas Public land received from deer hunters. Of course unless it is an area that does not receive much deer hunting pressure. In Kansas this year on WIHAs there were deer hunters hunting the area. If they got there first, I moved on, if I got there first, I hunted it. Never had a problem and could have told any deer hunter with a mule deer permit where two large mulies bedded each day. Bird men and Coon hunters can be a deer hunters best asset if they know to ask. Moving all the time, we see most everything on a public hunting area.

good feedback thanks. I do know the regulations allow for both with archery season still open, and I will be there after 10 am with orange on.

One thing to remember is unless your hunting with flushers your dog will already have run through the area long before you do. IMO other hunters that see the dog running by himself are going to react differently than if you are right there besides the dog

I would never stay out of the woods with my dog because someone else is hunting. I may stay out of the woods for the safety of my dog and myself. I have hunted quail on public land on opening day of gun deer season. I searched for an area with no trucks for at least a mile in each direction. I went in the public gate and 300 yards in I see an orange guy in a tree. I turned around and went another direction and bumped a deer that immediately got shot at. I went home.

There is no code. You care about screwing up their hunt, but they don't care about yours.

If you hunt with deer hunters around, just make sure you are noisy. Make sure your beeper on the dog is beeping. Make sure you are talking to the dog. That way there is no way they can say it was a stray dog without an owner. An orange vest on the dog helps.

I believe most state WMAs in Texas do not offer gun deer hunts unless its by draw. If that's the case, the entire WMA will be closed to anyone and everyone not selected for the hunt.

I know hunters will shoot your dog public land or not. They'll say it was chasing deer or came at them aggressively and that's that. Make sure your dog is well trained.

Natl forests in East Texas have overlapping seasons, but not that there are any quail there.

" yall quail stay down and keep quite while I'm posting...."

What areas allow quail hunting and which ones don't? I would like to try out some new areas but can't find a list of what is allowed to hunt, as well as dates.

This will help

Here

Youth Season is this weekend.

is there any decent quail populations in north texas i might be able to squeeze a few birds out of on public land?

You're going to have a 4-5 hour drive from the metroplex to find any public quail. I've heard there are some birds out at Ft. Hood, but I have no experience hunting there.

You will not be popular with deer hunters. Think about trying a "Put & Take" quail hunt? Always going to find birds

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Wait until deer season is over its always best besides I do not want to be on public land where people are deer hunting some the public hunters safety is SCARY

Even after rifle season then it's blackpowder season.