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Uses for Bobwhite Quails

Bobwhite quail are native to much of the eastern two-thirds of the United States and are listed as a game bird in most of these states. Bobwhites flourished during the settlement years of the Midwest and South as forests were cleared and converted to agriculture. Bobwhite populations are still good in locations with suitable habitat, but modern farming and forestry practices have reduced the amount of suitable habitat. Because of their popularity, bobwhites are now bred in captivity.

Hunting
- Many hunting preserves stock bobwhite quail reared on game farms to supplement the population of wild quail available on their lands. The quail are released in several areas around the preserve prior to the actual hunt. When the hunters arrive, trained dogs are used to locate or flush the birds and the hunters attempt to shoot them.
Restocking
- Landowners with property in areas that have had their wild bobwhite populations extirpated often resort to stocking bobwhites from game farms. These reintroductions are seldom successful. Wild quail are subject to the "survival of the fittest" rule of nature, meaning only the smartest, toughest birds survive to reproduce. Survival instincts are quickly lost in game farm bobwhites.
Food
- One of the reasons bobwhite quail are so favored as a game bird is the flavor of their meat. Many farms, therefore, raise bobwhites to sell for food. Gourmet chefs often use gum ball-sized bobwhite eggs in their dishes to enhance their food's presentation and to augment its flavor.
Taxidermy
- It is illegal to sell wild-harvested bobwhites for any reason. A taxidermist can mount a wild bobwhite for the individual who shot it, but he must rely on game farm birds to create displays to sell to non-hunting customers.

Animals & Science