Once upon a time, maybe 14 or 15 years ago, my partner and I ran into two young airman on opening morning of Prairie Grouse season, east of Wall, SD. They asked how we were doing and after looking at our birds, commented that all they had seen were small yellow breasted birds.
My partner ask "You mean those Ellsworth Quail?" "Ellsworth Quail?" they said looking at the best poker face in Rapid City. "Yep!" "Ellsworth Quail." says Harold. "Mighty good eating."
Later that day we saw them in Wall Drug Store. "Hey! Thanks for the heads up. We got a bag full of them quail." says one.
Old Harold never cracked a smile when he said "Be sure to pluck them. They are better eating that way."
Harold has passed. I wonder if he is as ornery in Heaven as he was around here.
