Maggie's Farm

I've shot my share of Bob Whites, but no wild birds. Just stocked or fresh out of the pen. Fun, but not the real deal. I have seen (and heard) wild ones on Cape Cod and Long Island. I've eaten them too - boned and stuffed with foie gras. Amazing.

Here's the issue with Bob Whites: In most of their range, their numbers have crashed over the past 20-30 years because of global warming   the loss of their preferred habitat. These quail like large messy edges, and large-scale farming eliminates those. Maybe they were more common due to the small-scale agriculture in past centuries.

I read the the numbers of wild birds is greatest in Oklahoma, but I think Florida has plenty too. You can spend a lot of money to hunt quail in Georgia on multi-thousand-acre quail plantations like this place. These places keep their bird populations up with a steady stream of pen-raised stock to keep the shooters happy. Not really wild but more of a simulacrum of quail hunting.

After all, old-time hunting was not sport. It was food.  Some links:

 Identifying Bobwhite Quail Habitat'

 Northern bobwhites hold a special place in Georgia’s outdoor culture and wildlife heritage.

 Quest For Georgia Quail - Lots of effort goes into managing for Georgia quail.

Easy to raise Bob White quail. You need an incubator, but the eggs are cheap. ($500/1000 eggs).