Andy, I assume you have a good set of plans that you are happy with. There are always vermin that think penned quail to be tasty, but we have no bears in MO. 'Possums and coons can be pretty tenacious.
Guys around here also swear by pigeons for training (obviously, homers). They are easier to "call back" once they acclimate to your pigeon house. They are tough and can take lots of abuse, and always fly well.
It's a lot of work to keep quail in a Johnny house (I tried years ago and gave up -- too labor intensive for a guy with just a few bird dogs). Now, I just buy quail when I need them and plant/release them on an as needs basis. I do have a portable call back pen, and it does bring the birds back to the area of the pen, and, on occasion, they'll re-enter the pen.
Good luck with your endeavor. Let me know how it goes.
__________________
“Every day I wonder how many things I am dead wrong about.”
― Jim Harrison
"'I promise you,' he said, 'on my word of honor, I won't die on the opening of the bird season.'" -- Robert Ruark (from The Old Man and the Boy)
|