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Habitat, weather keys to 2024 Bobwhite boom
sports, Sports | Outdoors
September 25, 2024
Habitat, weather keys to 2024 Bobwhite boom
By TELL JUDKINS UPLAND GAME BIOLOGIST

The August 2024 roadside quail survey shows the statewide quail index up substantially over 2023, climbing from 2.23 to 6.52 quail per route surveyed. This result is 28.8% above the 35-year statewide average of 5.06 quail per route.

The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation has conducted annual roadside surveys in August and October since 1990 to create an index of annual population fluctuations. The number of quail observed is reported to provide an index of quail abundance and indicates reproductive success. Currently, ODWC employees survey 81 routes in 75 of Oklahoma’s 77 counties. Oklahoma and Tulsa counties, almost exclusively urban areas, are excluded from the survey.

The survey data is presented using two methods: one is based on geographic regions and the other is based on ecoregions Considering the results from both methods can provide a more precise view of onthe- ground conditions in each county and can give hunters a better idea of what they could find in areas they intend to hunt.

Age structure of observed quail shows 54.2% full grown, 38.3% threefourths grown, 6.8% half grown, and 0.8% onefourth grown birds. This age structure indicates successful early broods with additional nesting throughout the summer. Last fall, the latest known hatch was documented from ODWC’s wing-box program: A harvested quail hatched out mid-September in the Northcentral Region. Two other birds appeared to be from later hatches in far-western parts of the state, but the wings were badly damaged which made aging difficult. Additionally, ODWC biologists have received several reports of broods of varying ages throughout summer.

All regions of the state except the Southeast improved from the 2023 survey. All regions, other than the Southeast Region, are currently above their historic 35-year average and 10-year average.

The past winter was fairly mild for Oklahoma, with only a few major systems that brought bitter cold air. After three consecutive years of La Nina (warmer/dryer) weather patterns, last spring saw a transition to El Nino (cooler/wetter), which generally can lead to improved habitat conditions and the potential for better quail numbers. Fortunately, that El Nino pattern persisted until April. By May, the pattern transitioned into an “ENSO-Neutral” state, or within a half-degree of average Pacific Ocean index temperatures.

Drought is now affecting about 75% of Oklahoma, with less than 20% in the severe or extreme drought categories. Rainfall throughout the growing season has been somewhat regular across much of the state, coming at times in monsoon- like systems dumping several inches locally at a time. Precipitation in the spring had onthe- ground conditions looking pretty good; by mid-March 55% of the state was drought-free. Summer heat and a lack of rain over the last 60 or so days have allowed drought to steadily take hold again, especially in the Southwest Region.

Over the last 180 days, most of Oklahoma has seen below-normal rainfall. Some areas in the Southwest have had less than 20% of the normal rainfall over the last 60 days. Even with the higher number of quail sightings, dense vegetation along roadsides in some areas likely contribute to fewer observations.

Roadside survey numbers can also be viewed on an ecoregion basis.

One pair of scaled quail was observed during the 2024 August survey. There are only a few routes in Oklahoma with the opportunity to observe scaled quail. Therefore, this is not a prediction of scaled quail abundance, strictly an observation. ODWC has received several reports of scaled quail broods in the Oklahoma Panhandle this year.

Over the past 35 years, August Roadside Surveys have shown that they are not always the most reliable when it comes to forecasting the upcoming season. Stay tuned for October Roadside Survey results and a 2024 Quail Season Outlook, which will provide a better indication of what the upcoming quail season could have in store.

Oklahoma’s quail season will open Nov. 9 and close statewide Feb. 15, 2025. Many public areas in western Oklahoma will be closed Feb. 1-15, 2025, for nonresident quail hunters. Bag limit remains 10 quail daily. For more information, consult the Oklahoma Fishing and Hunting Regulations online at wildlifedepartment. com/hunting/regs, on the Go Outdoors Oklahoma mobile app, or in print wherever hunting and fishing licenses are sold.

The northern bobwhite population is significantly higher this year in most of Oklahoma, as indicated by results from roadside surveys conducted in August.

Seminole survives Checotah 34-27
B:, sports
Seminole survives Checotah 34-27
By Rodney Haltom sports EDITOR 
September 10, 2025
The Seminole Chieftains were lucky to go home with a 34-27 win over the Checotah Wildcats Friday night. Checotah’s penalties that accumulated to over 100 yards. The Wildcats moved the football up and ...
Council votes to dismiss former Mayor Warren
A: Main, news
Council votes to dismiss former Mayor Warren
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The Eufaula City Council removed former Mayor Todd Warren from the Council Monday night citing excessive absences. City minutes of past meetings presented to the Council showed that Warren missed the ...
Church celebrates 160th anniversary
A: Main, news
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Decades before Oklahoma became a state in 1907; years before the first railroad track was laid in Indian Territory in 1870 and the year the Civil War ended, folks in a remote area of what is now McInt...
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A: Main, news
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Mayor James Hickman perhaps summarized best when he sent a letter of appreciation to Karen Weldin and the Vision Eufaula Board of Directors for one of the best Wine & Art Festivals held in the city. “...
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A: Main, news
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At about 7 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2001, I strolled into the Las Vegas Sun newsroom where I worked as an entertainment reporter. The room was quiet, a palpable feeling of dread filled the air as the f...
Margaret Floyd Homecoming Parade Marshal
A: Main, news
Margaret Floyd Homecoming Parade Marshal
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Margaret Marie Vickery Floyd has been named the 2025 Eufaula High School Homecoming Parade Marshall. Born in 1927 in Ramona, she is the fourth greatgranddaughter of Chief McIntosh, and the mother of f...
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A: Main, news
Ironhead Homecoming Friday
September 10, 2025
The Homecoming Weekend kicks off Friday, Sept.12, with a Pep Assembly at the Eufaula High School Auditorium at 9:30 a.m. followed by a parade at 1 p.m. The coronation of Homecoming Royalty takes place...
New library coordinator challenges Checotah
A: Main, news
New library coordinator challenges Checotah
By JERRY FINK MANAGING EDITOR 
September 10, 2025
September is Library Card Sign-up Month, and so the new coordinator of Eufaula Memorial Library is taking that opportunity to challenge the Jim Lucas Checotah Public Library to a competition to see wh...
Braddock Dobbs joins School Board
A: Main, news
Braddock Dobbs joins School Board
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September 10, 2025
Braddock Dobbs, 31, son of the late Margaret Dobbs, who was on the Eufaula School Board for 15 years, is following in his mother’s footsteps. Monday night, Aug. 8, at its monthly meeting, the Board ap...
Drillers honor Eufaula veteran
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Drillers honor Eufaula veteran
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Former Army Sp4 Timothy Pickering of Eufaula was honored recently at the Driller Stadium in Tulsa as a “Hometown Hero,” a program that honors people who have had a lasting impact on the community. Pic...
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Flea Pop-Up Market
September 10, 2025
Friday – Sunday, Sept.12-14 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., 210 N. Main St. Booth rental available. Call Mr. Printer at 918-689-5998, Jani at 918-839-8494 or Ricky at 918-424-9961. Prices for all three days: ...
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