Quail hunting is NC is a rewarding, but frustrating, hunt. I had rather have a quality quail hunt than anything else in the world. Quail habitat is rough but beautiful and the bird itself is beautiful and a wily adversary. Also, there is a nice long season running from Nov. 22, 2003 - Feb. 28, 2004 (Check out the rules and dates at "Regulations Digest").

Unfortunately, wild bird populations in North Carolina, and especially piedmont NC, do not give up quail numbers like they did 20 or even 5 years ago. In fact wild quail barely exist in some of North Carolina and any one who has hunted wild birds knows what a sadness this is. The lands I hunt have a few wild quail but I don't never take them. This is especially true in the piedmont areas where I spend most of my time. Note that this is just my choice on the matter.

A good quail hunt can still be had even with the shortage of wild birds. There are still birds on public lands even though these numbers have also been depressed lately. Of the public lands Sandhills and Butner-Falls are predicted to have the higher quail populations now. As far as the public lands go I have had better luck in nearer the coast. I have hunted parts of the Croatan National Forest and the open Cherry Point lands with good success; I have even hunting here without a dog with some small success. Be advised that this land can be tough traveling, then tough shooting due to the very dense vegetation and the water logged areas. Also, I have gotten lost due to impassable routes so now I don't hunt too far from the beaten path toward the end of the day. Contact the rangers in the area for advice on where best to go.

Fortunately for the great sport of quail hunting, outfitters have picked up the slack. There are several in the area which can now deliver a high quality hunt for reasonable effort and cost. Most outfitters operate throughout the regular quail season. Some outfitters offer other types of bird hunts including pheasant and some offer organized dove hunts. Some offer extended season. See the Controlled Hunting Preserves for a list of those that operate in NC.

Some very good books on the subject:
L.L. Bean Upland Bird Hunting Handbook -- A how-to guide covering North America's upland gamebirds. Also gives advice on selecting the best breeds of dogs, the guns and loads for the game at hand, as well as tips on essential equipment.	Hunting North America's Upland Birds: Tips and Tactics ... -- Practical reference to bird hunting by John D. Taylor. Good tips on terrain, dog breeds, and guns as well. Sensitive to conservation issues. Good book.
Hunting the Quails of North America -- For Ben Williams, author of the acclaimed American Wingshooting, there is something very special about bird hunting. This book is not only about hunting game birds, bird dogs and bird guns, it is also about each bird's origin, distribution, life cycle, behavior, habitat, food and daily routine. Six species of quail are covered, each discussed in terms of when Williams first hunted the bird, exploring the bird's life cycle, and explaining how Williams hunts the birds today. These essays are about hunting wild things and wild places with clouds moving over-head and rocks beneath one's boots.	Tales of Quails 'N Such -- Really good, fun reading by Havilah Babcock.
On Bobwhites (W.L. Moody, Jr., Natural History Series, No 27) --by Dr. Fred Guthery who is know as Mr. Bobwhite. The book covers a variety of topics relating to bobwhites. Book does an excellent job of showing that many of the myths proposed about bobwhites are not backed up by facts. Good, easy to ready book to be understood by a variety of audiences. A must for any quail enthusiast!	Bobs, Brush and Brittanies -- In thirty-seven states and two provinces, bird hunting means only one bird: the quail. All levels of quail hunters will find this book fascinating. It is a fireside evening of bird hunting with a true quail fanatic, a gifted storyteller who has spent nearly thirty years chasing these little brown birds. The book is a fun read yet deceptively dense with useful information about guns, dogs, clothing, techniques, conservation - and life. Both a good read and a complete guide to bobwhite-quail hunting.