The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) said its annual roadside survey points to healthy quail populations heading into opening day on Nov. 1, according to an Oct. 14 news release.
Good habitat conditions, along with timely rainfall, helped bobwhite and scaled quail production, the agency said, giving hunters reason for optimism across much of the state.
“Texas Parks and Wildlife Department biologists covered over 3,300 road miles in early August during our annual roadside quail surveys,” said Patrick Schutz, TPWD Upland Game Bird Program Leader. “Overall, the numbers were once again in good shape in this year’s surveys, and we anticipate a good season for hunters especially in the South Texas and Trans Pecos regions where populations have traditionally been the strongest.”
According to the release, bobwhite quail faced a mix of habitat conditions and weather patterns that produced fluctuating populations by ecoregion, though most ecoregions recorded an above-average number of bobwhites per route compared with the 15-year average. In South Texas, biologists averaged 10.17 bobwhites per route, above the 15-year mean of 9.92, and multiple successful hatches were reported. TPWD pointed hunters to public opportunities at the Chaparral and James E. Daughtrey wildlife management areas.
In north Texas, the department said public bobwhite hunting is available at Matador, Gene Howe and Teacup Mountain wildlife management areas. The 2026 survey showed slightly lower numbers in the Rolling Plains than last year, but TPWD said the region will still offer solid chances for hunters.
Scaled quail populations continued an upward trend, with the average number of birds exceeding the 15-year average in most ecoregions, the agency said. The Edwards Plateau saw the largest increase, averaging 29.88 scaled quail per route compared with 14.00 last year and a 15-year mean of 8.38. TPWD biologists expect Black Gap and Elephant Mountain wildlife management areas to provide good opportunities for public hunters.
“Scaled quail have taken full advantage of the quality habitat conditions and rainfall out west,” Schutz added. “This should provide ample opportunities this season for those hunters willing to put in a few miles chasing these exceptional birds.”
TPWD said statewide surveys began in 1978 and are designed to represent bobwhite and scaled quail populations at the regional level, so local conditions may vary considerably; hunters seeking county-specific outlooks can contact a local TPWD wildlife biologist. Those hunting public lands must hold the Annual Public Hunting Permit and review the Public Hunting Lands Map Booklet for area regulations, and the Texas Hunt & Fish app can be used for on-site registration, the agency said.