Despite a considerable amount of research on bobwhite quail, its population size has dwindled to an alarming low point.  South Texas is often seen as a stronghold for quail; however, no stronghold is truly fortified and quail numbers have decline here, as well.  A variety of factors are blamed for the quail’s demise, such as changing land use practices, fire ants, overgrazing, insecticides, and drought to name a few.  Although the reasons are difficult to pinpoint, it is clear that active habitat management is needed to provide food, water, cover, and shelter to meet the life requirements of bobwhite quail.

Monitoring quail habitat can help quail managers better understand the amount of usable space available to quail, the results of management efforts, and the potential of a property to produce quail.  Numerous techniques for monitoring quail habitat have been described in both scientific and popular literature.  However, the majority of these techniques have never gained broad appeal or widespread implementation among landowners simply because such techniques are too technical, too time consuming, or both.  This publication outlines a stepwise simple-to-complex approach useful for monitoring rangelands for the benefit of quail.

A straightforward LEVEL-ONE approach encourages landowners and managers to begin monitoring quail habitat.  As landowners/managers become more comfortable with monitoring, they can gather additional information using a LEVEL-TWO approach.  For operations faced with particularly important issues or for more ambitious resource managers, a LEVEL-THREE approach may be appropriate.  The guidelines in each level will help determine what needs to be monitored, where to focus efforts, and how to get the best information for the amount of time invested.

Texas Cooperative Extension publication Habitat Monitoring for Quail on Texas Rangelands; B-6172, outlines a stepwise simple-to-complex approach useful for monitoring rangelands for the benefit of quail.  The guidelines in each level of management will help determine what needs to be monitored, where to focus efforts, and how to get the best information for the amount of time invested. 

Jim Cathey Ph.D., Certified Wildlife Biologist, Extension Wildlife Specialist, Texas Cooperative Extension – Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX USA

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