Private releases of birds during the 1930s and 1940s by private landowners in the Panhandle also helped to establish populations in several areas of the region. The first pheasants in the High Plains and Northern Rolling Plains of Texas emigrated from western Oklahoma in 1939 or 1940. In Texas, they are found in the panhandle. The Ring-necked pheasant, Phasianus colchicus, is not native to Texas but is considered a game bird. While considered a game bird in Texas, there is no open season for Montezuma quail in Texas. Recent droughts have also reduced quail populations, causing many landowners to suspend hunting to allow populations to recover. Many reasons are cited for these declines, but the evidence seems to point to changes in the quantity and quality of habitat as the leading cause.
![non native game birds in tennessee non native game birds in tennessee](https://static01.nyt.com/images/2021/10/13/opinion/11renkl/11renkl-mobileMasterAt3x.jpg)
These numbers add up – or down to be more correct to a 75% loss in bobwhites and a 66% loss in scaled quail. Scaled quail populations have declined at a rate of about 2.9% per year. Since 1980, bobwhite populations in Texas have declined at a rate of about 5.6% per year.
![non native game birds in tennessee non native game birds in tennessee](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5591528ae4b05e44b9c136da/1572897579230-E4QU3OZ7WYZ3YBD2G70Z/Game+Birds+4.jpg)
But such short-term population changes do not reflect the long-term downward trend of Texas quail. Quail populations can fluctuate wildly and are sometimes referred to as having “boom or bust” population swings. Historically, bobwhites have been the most common though most of Texas, scaled are found in the western third of the state, Gambel’s and Montezuma quail are birds of the desert in the Trans-Pecos. There are four species of quail in Texas the bobwhite quail, Colinus virginianus, the scaled quail¸ Callipepla squamata, (also known as blue quail), Gambel’s quail, Callipepla gambelii, and Montezuma Quail, Cyrtonyx montezumae. It is against the law to hunt roosting turkey by any means at any time. For Eastern turkey there is only a spring season, there are also mandatory check stations where harvested birds must be documented.
![non native game birds in tennessee non native game birds in tennessee](https://birdfeederhub.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/dark-eyed-junco.jpg)
Attempts to restock this turkey have not been successful.įor Rio Grande turkey there is a fall and spring season in many counties, in others there is only a spring season. The Merriam’s turkey, Melagris gallopavo merriami, once roamed the mountains of West Texas, but were extirpated by 1907. The Rio Grande turkey, Meleagris gallopavo intermedia, is found in most of South, Central and North Texas. The Eastern turkey, Meleagris gallopavo silvestris, is found in the forests and dense thickets of East Texas and is rarely seen because of its wariness and scarcity. There are presently two varieties of wild turkey common to Texas. To hunt upland game birds, in addition to a valid hunting license, you will need an Upland Game Bird Stamp Endorsement, available where you purchase your license. These include all varieties of wild turkey, bobwhite quail, scaled quail (blue), Gambel’s quail, pheasants, and chachalaca.