Late Hatch

[Sumpnneedskillin]

Looked out my back door Saturday and there were 7 little fluff balls following mom and dad quail around.  They weren't any bigger than a golf ball.  Still had fuzz.  So both sets of quail in my yard have had a clutch of eggs.  The first set is almost full grown.  I see them almost daily.  They raise quite a ruckus too.

Have started to see some pheasant chicks too and have seen a few other batches of quail chicks around.  Talked with my parents in Yakima and they said the pair of quail the frequents their yard finally have some chicks too.

[Old Dog]

That's good news.  I was in the palouse late last month, and I didn't see anything.  The cover in the CRP is amazing this year, and that may have contributed to my lack of success in locating any birds.

[Old Dog]

That is good news but it is still hard to get excited as bad as it has been in this state for the last decade or so.

  I've read your posts, and seen your pictures on two different forums over the last several years, and you and that dog of yours seem to do all right

[Old Dog]

I'm finding the same situation in the palouse.  In the 70s and 80s the birds where everywhere, and a guy could afford to miss now and then, and still get a limit.  I don't think the CRP in WA. is very good for birds.  After the first couple of year the fescues take over, form a mat that doesn't allow any other growth, and the field essentially becomes a wasteland.    

[fethrduster]

That's an astute observation about the CRP.  I hadn't considered that.  I live in Pierce Co. too, and I drive 5 hrs to get a limit of roosters on the Snake (and I hunt scatter creek too, but that doesn't really count since they are planted birds).  I can't imagine hunting 15 min. from my house for a limit of birds.  Talk about spoiled!   15 min. from my house gets me to a corner gas station to fill up my jeep so I can drive east, and that's about it.