Quail Hunt S. Texas Style

[Keith Doty]

I spent the weekend with a friend on his Beeville, Tx. ranch. As none of us own pointers (a pack of labs, no pointers) we use a friend's "Dial-a-Dog" service for serious quail hunting. We had him send us dogs and outriders for the hunt Saturday. We started in the fog and mist struggling with only 4 coveys, about 9:30 the front hit, a brief rain then 20-25 mph. North winds blew our caps off and blew out the wet. In an hour we were back in the field for some very challenging shooting and 15 coveys. Had a great day with some old friends and a great hunt. This is a property my friend and I have worked hard to groom for wildlife. We definitly are seeing results!
I shot my 26" 0 frame VH16, alas, the other 2 armed with an O/U and a Beretta auto.
Last 2 pics of the local brush, all mean stuff in crotch high grass from a record rainfall this past year. Tough walking! We'll be doing some serious controlled burning very soon.
Apologies for the rotated pics, can't figure out to correct this.

[Keith Doty]

Add'l pics

[CraigThompson]

I’ve never bird hunted from horseback or mule wagon but I’d like to try it once !

[Shane Jennings]

Sounds like a great hunt. I've been hearing reports of lots of birds in South Texas this year. They've been sparse in my part of the state, sadly. Maybe this year we'll get a rebound.

[Garry L Gordon]

Wonderful cover! Time to get a pointer of your own.

[Keith Doty]

We don't actually hunt off the horses, we use the outriders on horseback like great big brown bird dogs! We're hunting big properties and they rang alongside of our path, allows us to cover much more ground. We have substituted the classic horse or mule drawn wagon with custom trucks. My primary business is building custom hunting equipment. Here's a little eye candy for all, a couple of Texas quail rigs at my place waiting on owners to pick up.
In a fair part of the area toward Laguna Madre (along the coastal area, below Corpus Christi) a number of nailgi get shot off these rigs every year.

[Dan Jurgens]

May I ask how much those fantastic rigs cost?

[charlie cleveland]

nice rigs bet they ride better than a mule....charlie

[Keith Doty]

Your truck and typically 30K to 50K, kinda depends on how nice you want. Got some with wet bars, outrageous 2nd stereos for the "lounge", etc. Below is one of 4 built for a big outfitter down by Corpus Christi. They run a VERY nice operation with quail hunting and trophy deer hunting, first class accommodations, professional chefs, the works.
Not a lot of nostalgia here, just very comfortable entertaining for you and your guests. These guys see a lot of corporate business guests.

[Dan Jurgens]

Sure beats walking.

[Bruce Hering]

We don't actually hunt off the horses, we use the outriders on horseback like great big brown bird dogs! We're hunting big properties and they rang alongside of our path, allows us to cover much more ground. We have substituted the classic horse or mule drawn wagon with custom trucks. My primary business is building custom hunting equipment. Here's a little eye candy for all, a couple of Texas quail rigs at my place waiting on owners to pick up.
In a fair part of the area toward Laguna Madre (along the coastal area, below Corpus Christi) a number of nailgi get shot off these rigs every year.

Keith: Super nice rigs. It is great fun riding on these for me as I get to see the dogs work etc. and yes to the "blue bulls". Had some student interns on the FMI San Tomas Camp lease (for a year each) on the Encino division as well as over on the other side of 77. When a "pasture" can be over 5,000 ac. one needs to ride..... LOL

[Keith Doty]

Indeed, a big difference from walking the field edges and hedge rows I hunted as a kid in S. and SE. Kansas! One rotating pair of dogs would get you thru a full day of hunting, you didn't need to carry a dozen!

[Bruce Hering]

Keith: You got that right.

[Dan Steingraber]

Those rigs are amazing.