bobwhites?

[jeff127]

I spent this morning field hunting mallards and after the hunt my two hunting partners went to find a sailer. As we neared the edge of the field we kicked up a group of 15 bobwhite quail. We ended up with four of them. Now I have walked many a mile for pheasants, deer, and whatever else and have never seen any before. Does anyone know if these birds are all over or is this a chance encounter. I was hunting in chanhassen - nowhere near any gamefarms.

thanks
jeff

[Slugo]

Uhhhh I don't think you can take quail in Mn.

I'ts been Many years!!!since I've seen any north of Interstate 80!

[jeff127]

We were completely surprised by these birds. I could have swore they were partridge--since that is the only small upland bird I have seen in this state. After a small argument before picking them up I bet 5 five bucks with one of the guys I was with, who is from Nebraska, and seeing as how he has shot hundreds of quail---I lost.

Thanks for the reply, I will check into wether or not quail are fair game---if not--lesson learned

jeff

[radke22]

Its o.k to shoot quail in minnesota. just not bobwhites.

[Mille Lacs Guy]

What you shot were hungarian partridge, the limit for them is 5 in Minnesota. I have shot some in western Carver and McLeod Counties. They are not very common anymore, 40-50 years ago they were everywhere.

I don't think there are any bobwhite quial anywhere in Minnesota, maybe way down south.

[Guest]

Bobwhite quails are illegal to shoot in Minnesota. Thank your lucky stars there was no CO around.

My uncle has a farm, NE suburb of Twincities, which has bobwhites so I can tell you there is bobwhites here. Know what you are shooting before you release the shots: CO's will fine you on the spot. I could be wrong, but I think the fine is in the thousands of dollars.

[Guest]

I am guessing they were Huns. I can't say for sure, but the likelihood of bobwhites UNLESS THEY WERE RELEASED is extremely slim.

[jeff127]

These were definately bobwhites---I showed them to my taxidermist. I definately would not have shot these birds if I had seen them before. I have shot partridge before, they are not much bigger and don't fly any different. I know they are out there now so I will definately be much more cautious before shooting at anything I flush that is smaller than a pheasant.

jeff