We have had two bad years both for turkeys and quail production. I suspect it is more a lack of bugs or some other minor food source that is the problem. Over the last few years I have had a major problem with foxes, coons and hawks. Each has passed but the quail population is way down. Cover is great if you have something to use it.
When I bought the farm we had one small covey of quail. After hard work and mild Winters with normal Springs and Summers we had more than a dozen coveys on farm and at least four or five more on the farm next to mine. Hunting was managed to make sure that each farm was not over hunted. But the last two years have seen almost no nesting success for quail or turkeys as well.
Since I am selling the farm I am not going to invest amounts of time or money in the problem. Might just buy a bunch of pen raised birds and release them for the kids to hunt. The kids will still get to kill a few birds, the dog gets to work and I get to watch. Heck to the kids and the dog it will be same as normal, just a little easier.
