Wait, what? Was that a quail?

[Dean Weber]

Went on a little family pheasant hunt here in SD. Had a wonderful time and had some great dog work and wing shooting. However, both days provided a nice treat for the group as we found coveys of quail each day.

Although quail are known in South Dakota, you just don't expect it while hunting pheasant cover. As the title says.....1st day while walking a tree/brush grove, me on the outside with four others to the grass field inside, a single whir of wings unnerved me a bit as there are rattlesnakes in this country. As the next 3-4 got up, I knew they were quail and both sides of the grove got some shooting as about 30 birds flushed in spurts. We shot 5 quail and I was able to get a brace scratched down. Quite the treat!

I posted this in Hunting with Parkers section as Parkers were present, they just didn't make the pictures. Guns in the bird pics are a 16 gauge William Evans and a 16 gauge Purdey.

Check out the ivory spurs on a mature rooster!