Quail Newb

[hunter24605]

I'm going to be accompanying a co-worker and a few customers on a quail hunt soon. The horrors I subject myself to for this job ... These are pen raised birds and it's mostly to get his dogs some work. but I've been told there will be plenty of chances at "Good flying birds" (whatever that means in the upland vernacular) I have never done any bird hunting, except for when opportunities at pheasant/grouse came along while rabbit hunting. I'm a little behind the curve on all this. I have a couple shotguns I'm considering; a short ( 22") barrel 20 gauge semi auto, and a 28 gauge O/U. Not sure which is more appropriate. I do love swinging that little 28 gauge. Also choke tubes, I have multiple for both from Cyl to XX full. Then there's the question on shot size and type. I'll be loading them myself, so pretty much whatever you folks think is best. Then there's the question of should I go non- tox? steel, bismuth etc. I know lead ingestion is a concern, but I think my dental insurance would rather I bite down on a lead pellet over a steel one. I also have a 12-gauge pump with 28", but it isn't doing much for me in this particular application but not opposed to it if it fits the bill better. Thanks!

 

[Joec7651]

First, I think you’ll love quail hunting. It’s exciting, they fly like little rockets, and are an exquisite meal. They can be addictive. That said, I’d use the 12. They can be hard to hit and the 12 gauge gives better chances of scoring with a lower chance of wounding birds without recovering them. Maybe take in a few rounds at the trap range before the hunt comes around.

 

[Joec7651]

I forgot to mention, if you can take rabbits you should be fine. They tend to disappear faster than quail because they are in the cover already.

 

[JD338]

I've never hunted quail, just partridge and woodcock. I've done well with a 12 ga 870 and trap loads with #7 1/2's. I will admit that my 870 Light Weight 20 ga was also deadly on pats and woodcock. I used a 26" IC sheet barrel and it was a lot easier to carry and maneuver in the thick cover. Skeet loads with "8's or #7 1/2's worked well.

JD338

 

[Bruce Mc]

I've shot a lot of quail and never used anything but a Remington 1100 20 gauge with a 26" improved cylinder barrel. I usually used Remington sureshot 1oz number 7 1/2.

 

[salmonchaser]

If they have been raised in a large pen where they actually have room to fly, then they will want to and be able to do so. They will probably hold very tight for the pointers. Gentleman Bob love cover, pine forest and the like. They will tend to jump up about six feet and fly a very short distance and drop back into cover. Wait a couple of seconds then swing up through the bird as they start to straighten out their flight path. Guiding quail hunts is a great way to get your dog killed, I’ve seen it happen. Be patient, let them get well clear of the pointers or flushers before you shoot. Quail are quick but they are not any faster than a pheasant. The dog handler/owner/guide will have instructions for you on when and how to shoot if he or she has quided more than one group of hunters. If your buddies dogs are steady to wing and shot things will be fine.
Nothing wrong with a 12 for quail, nothing at all. I think a designated quail hunt is a great place for a 28 gauge, a good number of my clients would bring their 12 or 20 for pheasant and chukar and switch to their 28 when we came off the hills to the river bottom to hunt quail.
You may also find the preserve you're hunting requires an open gun until you move in on a point making your O/U the perfect choice. 7 1/2 or 8 shot is perfect, no need for any ultra high velocity rounds like prairie storm.
I’m betting you have a great trip.

 

[hunter24605]

Woah! Looks like I tapped the right brain trust. Thanks gents!

 

[RL338]

I see your job has some fine perks included. Good luck on the hunt.

 

[TexasLife]

if they run and don't fly, you have blues, but if they fly you have bobs.............at least that's how they act where i'm at. we didn't use dogs, but most likely they'll fly because of the dogs. i've killed many when i was in elementary school using a 410 single shot. i prefer quail over turkey every day of the week and twice on sunday's!

 

[375hh1973]

Ive hunted quail in Indiana a few times.

Used my Beretta 686 White Onyx 28ga with IC and LM chokes.

AA sporting clay factory loads 7.5 shot.

Worked well

 

[GregoryB.]

I have hunted them in GA and AZ. Used my 11-87 12 gauge with an improved cylinder and whatever shells were left over from dove season. I always liked the ones that flew from between your feet the best. Always a fun bird to hunt.

 

[wvbuckbuster]

Some good information given. Only thing I could add is use the gun that fits you best. I went on a pen raised chucker and ringneck hunt with a friend couple years ago to work his dog mostly. I used my o/u 2oga with #6 and #7.5 the one-ounce load dropped couple of ringnecks fine at about 30yds. Wild ones are harder to kill I'm told. Have fun.

 

[TexasLife]

there were a few hunters a couple of years ago that at least 1 used a beretta 28ga superlite (something like that) he used for quail. man, that gun was super crazy light. felt like it maybe 4#.

 

[hunter24605]

there were a few hunters a couple of years ago that at least 1 used a beretta 28ga superlite (something like that) he used for quail. man, that gun was super crazy light. felt like it maybe 4#.

The 28 gauge I have has 3" chambers. I think 1-oz payloads of 6 and 7 nickel plated lead with different chokes in the barrels may be what I end up going with.

 

[Guy Miner]

1. ENJOY! Upland bird hunting is a relaxed and sociable hunt for me. I've only hunted "California quail" not bobwhite, but rather a lot of them over the years.

Salmonchaser has some great stuff there re the dogs... Sometimes those rascals will jump up and can get into your line of fire. Not good.

Are there any shot type requirements where you will be hunting? Everywhere I hunt requires non-toxic shot. Typically I use steel shot, but one shotgun gets Bismuth out of deference to the 90 year old barrels. I don't know if that's absolutely necessary, but I don't want to be the guy who messes up those beautiful old barrels by using steel in them.

Love the 28 gauge double for quail. It seems perfect for the job. Mine is a lightweight CZ side by side. Weighs next to nothing, carries easily, leaps into action and drops quail nicely. My son has been using it for pheasant too, with great results. That's using steel shot for both quail and pheasant.

I've also popped a lot of quail with my 12 gauge, because seasons overlap. I could bump into legal pheasant, quail or chukar all on the same walk. So the 12 works too.

Meanwhile - ENJOY that hunt! It's going to be months before I've got a chance to hunt birds again. My dog has been reduced to pointing the local park pigeons... Sigh...

All the best!

Guy

 

[hunter24605]

1. ENJOY! Upland bird hunting is a relaxed and sociable hunt for me. I've only hunted "California quail" not bobwhite, but rather a lot of them over the years.

Salmonchaser has some great stuff there re the dogs... Sometimes those rascals will jump up and can get into your line of fire. Not good.

Are there any shot type requirements where you will be hunting? Everywhere I hunt requires non-toxic shot. Typically I use steel shot, but one shotgun gets Bismuth out of deference to the 90 year old barrels. I don't know if that's absolutely necessary, but I don't want to be the guy who messes up those beautiful old barrels by using steel in them.

Love the 28 gauge double for quail. It seems perfect for the job. Mine is a lightweight CZ side by side. Weighs next to nothing, carries easily, leaps into action and drops quail nicely. My son has been using it for pheasant too, with great results. That's using steel shot for both quail and pheasant.

I've also popped a lot of quail with my 12 gauge, because seasons overlap. I could bump into legal pheasant, quail or chukar all on the same walk. So the 12 works too.

Meanwhile - ENJOY that hunt! It's going to be months before I've got a chance to hunt birds again. My dog has been reduced to pointing the local park pigeons... Sigh...

All the best!

Guy

The only time non-tox is required by state refs is for waterfowl. In Discussions with the preserve it has never came up if they have their own requirements.

 

[PJGunner]

I haven't hunted quail since right around late 1978, early 1979 when I moved from Nevada to Arizona. Darn quial down here was rather run away that fly and it take a pretty well tained dog to flush them out. I even bought a nice Ithaca 20 ga. over/under, improved cylinder and modified choke barrel and it's never been on a hunt down here. Pity, as I really do like eating quail.
Paul B.

 

[TexasLife]

I haven't hunted quail since right around late 1978, early 1979 when I moved from Nevada to Arizona. Darn quial down here was rather run away that fly and it take a pretty well tained dog to flush them out. I even bought a nice Ithaca 20 ga. over/under, improved cylinder and modified choke barrel and it's never been on a hunt down here. Pity, as I really do like eating quail.
Paul B.

Blue's are the only 1's o know that run like the gingerbread man

 

[hunter24605]

From what I've been told these are Bob White quail.

 

[TexasLife]

From what I've been told these are Bob White quail.

i guess they act differently in various states. in the Texas Panhandle area bobs fly and blues run. don't see much quail in the last several years, but on occasion see a few. south of me about 15-20 miles a classmate of my brother shot a cougar that weighed about 180#. i did see 2 cubs a few months ago and couldn't believe that's what they were. in all my almost 60 years there never has been any in the Texas Panhandle. not that's any reasoning for the decline of quail populations, but quail has been diminishing for decades in my parts.