Starting to see some monster sized quail coveys

**Rob P.** · 07-12-2012, 10:18 AM

Was out mtn biking on a local fire road yesterday evening. Wow, some of the covey's are HUGE. 20-30 birds each. And the sound of them all launching at once was incredible. I could feel the beat of the wings. Even the squadrons of tarantula wasps are bigger this year.

Looks like it's going to be another good year for birds if the rest of the State is similar. Plus, I've NEVER seen so many deer tracks in that particular area as I did yesterday. (Too bad it's ALL posted "keep out and stop breathing our air.")

As for me, well the high humidity and temps killed my performance in the speed dept. Only did 16 miles (8 up and back) before I called it a night even though the goal was 20 miles for that ride. Just too hot & sticky even at 7 p.m.

**gregr266** · 07-12-2012, 07:16 PM

This morning I had 12to15 in my back yard. 6 of them were babies. Hopefully the hawks and local cats will let them get big.

**warren nelson** · 07-18-2012, 04:47 PM

Up here in the Hesperia area we are seeing a few small coveys,BUT the chick count is very low 4-5 chicks per hen, last year it was a whole lot better. Hope we are just seeing some early stuff and the hatch gets better

**spectr17** · 07-18-2012, 06:45 PM

Watched a covey of about 40 the other night feed to their roost. They seemed really spooky, I parked about 80 yds from them and they were off to the races. When I got out they hit the jets. It was private land with some close homes so I don't think they get hammered. Didn't see any lil ones but they could have been in the grass where I couldn't see them from that distance.

**jamesmangan** · 07-18-2012, 07:44 PM

Was in the desert this weekend watering guzzlers, it is DEAD. I've never seen so few chukar, and no quail at this time of year around the water. Saw 10 chukar at one guzzler, none at any of the others, it's going to be rough in the desert this year.

**warren nelson** · 07-24-2012, 10:16 AM

saw my first nice covey of quail this year,in the foothills,had about 12-14 young ones in it.
Big covey's just isn't happening here------YET. Maybe it will turn into a 2nd hatch year. -----Hoping

**PoorRichRichard** · 08-11-2012, 12:36 AM

Coveys are getting bigger! Been wabbit blasting the the same field about once a week for the past 5 weeks and have see the covey sizes gradually increase from as small as 8 or 9 birds to over 40 on my last outing! Getting exited for bird season... Rabbits have been a bit on the small side for me year, but plentiful. Averaging just over 1 rabbit per hour of hunting so far this season. Shot my limit week before last on a 3 hour hunt. Seeing and increase in dove as well. Shaping up to be a great season!

**warren nelson** · 08-15-2012, 06:37 PM

Starting to see bigger coveys up here too.

**spectr17** · 08-15-2012, 08:50 PM

In foothills around the 909 I'm seeing maybe 30-60 in the coveys. Not many lil ones anymore.

**spectr17** · 08-19-2012, 09:54 PM

Coming down Hwy 38 above Mentone I about creamed 15 valley quail that flew low across the road in front of me. I had my window open and I thought for sure one was going to bonk me in the head. I usually don't brake or swerve but this time I hit the brakes and they just cleared my grill and windshield.

**reddevil** · 08-20-2012, 11:55 AM

I use the Santa Monica Mountains as my barometer, and the quail are starting to "covey-up" now. I was seeing small coveys up through last week, about 5 - 12 quail - hard to pick out the young bird. This morning I ran right by a covey with about 25 bird; I usually get within 30 feet before they run for cover or do a lazy bit of flying. Last year I was still seeing obvious, young bird at this time, but I think that one clutch was the norm. this season. Odd note, seeing quail feed with dove in areas cleared along the fire roads - lot more dove than normal. And lots of cottontail all of a sudden....man, I need this season to start.