Flushing Quail

Since moving from ruffed grouse territory in New England to quail turf in Florida, I’ve had the chance to see a different type of dogwork. Ruffed grouse aren’t ego inflators. You know how it goes: hear 12, see 6, shoot at 3 and maybe get 1. I’m always amazed that a dog can locate them. I sure can’t.

Quail are more cooperative. Most of the quail that we hunt east of the Mississippi are pen-raised birds. That’s just the way it is these days. Some fly well, some don’t. And those pen-raised birds are changing the dogwork.

It used to be all pointers. Bobwhite quail are generally cooperative and will hold for a point, as opposed to some of those wild Colorado blue quail that flush when you enter their time zone. The issue with pen-raised bobwhite quail is getting them to fly. Sometimes they need no encouragement and fly like crazy. Sometimes they just don’t want to get up.

That’s the problem with pen-raised bobwhites. The pointers point. The birds hold. You wait. They wait. Nothing happens. In the old days a guide might use a flushing whip or toss his hat at the quail. I don’t see much of that these days. Most guides are smart enough not to walk in front of the hunters to flush the birds. Usually the hunters have to walk in and try to kick them up if they won’t fly. This is not exactly the most advanced hunting experience.

Fortunately, I am starting to see more and more quail plantations using flushers. I see Labs, springers and adorable little English cockers. First the pointers do their job and nail the covey, just like they always have. The flushers are kept at heel. When the hunters are in position, the guide turns the flusher loose and all hell breaks loose. With a dynamic little cocker blasting into the birds, they absolutely, positively will get up and go. It turns average birds into good sport. It’s safe because it keeps the guide out of the way. And it introduces a second level of dogwork that is great fun to watch. And then you get to watch the flusher retrieve, which is always great fun.

Pointers are wonderful dogs, and I often think that quail were invented to honor them. The addition of a spirited flusher to the quail hunt just adds to the experience, and everyone benefits.

Sometimes you get a “combo dog.” Naturally, pointers aren’t supposed to “break point.” That’s a big no-no at the dog trials. But in the real world of hunting it’s another thing. I once hunted behind a big humorless English pointer that would lock up on quail in the normal way. But when you came up behind him and gave him a little touch on the rump, he’d break point and bust them up marvelously. A field-trial judge would be apoplectic, but for real hunting practicality it was tough to beat. I’ve also heard that pointing Labs will do the same thing. I’ve seen them on pheasants, but not quail.

In all I’ve found preserve quail hunting to be much more fun when flushing dogs are involved. I wish all of the plantations would use them. It’s not exactly traditional, but it’s loads of fun. And that’s what it’s all about.

Boots off. Beer open.