With last Saturday kicking off opening weekend, quail hunting season is in full swing for Kansas and Oklahoma.

 

However, the upland bird forecast for southeast Kansas is not very promising. According to the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, opportunities for quail are expected to be poor in the area.

 

While roadside estimates trended up again this year, results were greatly influenced by a few counts with most of the region remaining low. While hunting could be slightly improved for this season, the best opportunities will be on areas specifically managed for upland birds and counties closer to the Flint Hills including Chautauqua and Elk counties and areas to the north and west. Pheasants are not usually found in southeast Kansas, so very limited hunting opportunities will be available.

 

Greater prairie chicken populations have consistently declined over the long term in southeast Kansas. Loss of native grassland has gradually reduced the amount of suitable habitat. Hunting opportunities will be limited, but chickens can occasionally be found in large blocks of native rangeland, primarily along the edge of the Flint Hills.