The Quail
Quail come in several flavors, standard Bob White Quail and blue or scaled quail being the most prevelant. Now there are many others and TPWD has introduced a California species that nests in trees instead of the ground where the fire fireants won't get them. In addition Texas A&M has created a jumbo quail about twice the size of a regular bobwhite.
It's getting more difficult to hunt wild quail and pen raised birds are becomimg the norm. You can still find outfitters that shoot wild birds which we have and makes it just a treat.
A recent trend ( a few years ) are changing of the dogs. Retrievers were (are) being replaced by english cockers. The pointers run around pointing up the birds while the cockers fetch them up when downed. We found a place in Coleman County Texas that is one such outfitter. Top notch birds, dogs, and amenities.
The Duck
Duck hunting just happens to be our Dad's favorite endeavor. Ned and I, not so much, well not until recently. We were all three quail hunting where there were no quail and were asked to shoot some ducks so we did. We had a blast. Next thing I know we are all three in Louisiana at a lodge shooting ducks. Then the next year and the next. For Christmas I bought both Dad and Ned a couple of duck calls each and of course a couple for me. It was kind of a gag gift, at least for Ned and as we have no idea how to call ducks. I also knew that Christamas morning all three households would be be filled with the sound of Mallards, Pintail, and Widgeons. Right on cue, the phone in at Ned's house was answered and in the background you here "quaaack quaaack quack". Same with Dad although he actually knows what he's doing. I was lectured long and hard by both wives and one of Ned's kids about the absurdity of buying duck calls. To this day you can hear on occasion the whistle of a pintail or the quack of a mallard when calling them.
The Dove
Under Construction
The Pigeon
Under Construction
The Chi Chi
Under Construction