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!

[Harold Pickens]

A cock and a hen, beautiful!!
Love to hunt those little buggers.
Congrats Dean

[mobirdhunter]

Sigh...a 30 bird bevy...dream on, Garry.

Well, Dean, it looks like your Louisiana guests did indeed know how to shoot...or did you guys share the bag and you did it all.

Congratulations and a great hunt you put together for your guests.

[Reggie B]

They sure don't know what type of gun to shoot!

[Rick Roemer]

Looks like a great day

[Dean Weber]

Originally Posted by Garry L Gordon

Sigh...a 30 bird bevy...dream on, Garry.

Well, Dean, it looks like your Louisiana guests did indeed know how to shoot...or did you guys share the bag and you did it all.

Congratulations and a great hunt you put together for your guests.

Garry,
Most of the family from “LA” did not make it in for the hunt. Travel problems.

As for the quail covey, the dogs were in the grass chasing roosters and I could not see the group thru the brush. However, I did see the quail swirling in the brush bottoms after 1 flushed. So, I basically stood there while they flushed in spurts. All I know is what I shot.

My second day encounter in a 40 yard wide tree belt was not as effective with long chokes/barrels and 5 shot. Was like trying to shoot alien space ships. Quail never left the trees, just flew around us….crazy.

[Dean Weber]

Originally Posted by Reggie Bishop

They sure don't know what type of gun to shoot!

No, they didn’t Reggie. But since I was providing the gear and guns. I gave them some selections I cared less about! I had a long barreled DHE 20 along that I wish I had in my hands when the quail made a surprise showing!

[mobirdhunter]

Originally Posted by Dean Weber

No, they didn’t Reggie. But since I was providing the gear and guns. I gave them some selections I cared less about! I had a long barreled DHE 20 along that I wish I had in my hands when the quail made a surprise showing!

Reggie and I both want to see you down a wild Bob with that long barreled 20.

[Steiner]

Originally Posted by Garry L Gordon

Reggie and I both want to see you down a wild Bob with that long barreled 20.

Me too. I carried a 30” inch VHE 20 in Montana earlier this year and had good success on sharpies, Huns and ringnecks.