Growing up we had plenty of quail around. These days my old stomping grounds are barren. Lost to urban sprawl and a lack of habitat. Golf courses don't grow quail. Even with many birds we only shot the covey rise, never hunted the singles. We always quit fairly early in the afternoon so the the scattered birds could whistle up before dark to roost. It was all about the dogs and experience as you stated. My experience puts me firmly in the conservation camp. I still thinks it's a little over the top to bar 12 bores with loads that are the equivalent of small bores. Kind of the wrong execution of the right idea so to speak, but I understand where they are coming from. It limits the use of some fine old quail guns. Using the old guns is part of the charm for me.