Bobwhite Quail
hunting regulations.
Huntable in 27 states — 22 with general season. Click any state for the state-specific page.
Northern bobwhite quail are small (5-7 ounce) covey-living gamebirds historically widespread across the South, Midwest, and Mid-Atlantic. Wild populations have declined catastrophically over the past sixty years due to ag intensification, fire suppression, and clean-farming practices that eliminate the early-successional habitat bobwhites need.
Most states with remaining wild populations run general seasons with covey-bag limits. Quail-hunting strongholds today are private plantations in Georgia, Alabama, and Florida that maintain bobwhite habitat through prescribed burning and fallow management. Pointing dogs are essential — the covey rise off a steady point is one of the great moments in upland hunting.
Hunting regulations change. The information on this page reflects what we know about species presence and hunt availability based on state agency listings. For current season dates, bag limits, weapon restrictions, tag requirements, and reporting obligations, verify directly with your state wildlife agency. You are responsible for confirming current regulations before hunting.
Where bobwhite quail can be hunted
27 states- AlabamaAlabama Wildlife & Freshwater FisheriesYGeneral seasonVerify →
- ArizonaArizona Game and Fish DepartmentYGeneral seasonVerify →
- ArkansasArkansas Game and Fish CommissionYGeneral seasonVerify →
- DelawareDelaware Division of Fish and WildlifeYGeneral seasonVerify →
- FloridaFlorida Fish and Wildlife Conservation CommissionYGeneral seasonVerify →
- GeorgiaGeorgia DNR Wildlife Resources DivisionYGeneral seasonVerify →
- IllinoisIllinois DNRPPrivate land / specific zonesVerify →
- IndianaIndiana DNR Fish and WildlifeYGeneral seasonVerify →
- IowaIowa DNRYGeneral seasonVerify →
- KansasKansas Department of Wildlife and ParksYGeneral seasonVerify →
- KentuckyKentucky Department of Fish and WildlifeYGeneral seasonVerify →
- LouisianaLouisiana Department of Wildlife and FisheriesYGeneral seasonVerify →
- MarylandMaryland DNR Wildlife and Heritage ServiceYGeneral seasonVerify →
- MississippiMississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and ParksYGeneral seasonVerify →
- MissouriMissouri Department of ConservationYGeneral seasonVerify →
- NebraskaNebraska Game and Parks CommissionYGeneral seasonVerify →
- New JerseyNJ Division of Fish and WildlifePPrivate land / specific zonesVerify →
- New MexicoNew Mexico Department of Game and FishYGeneral seasonVerify →
- North CarolinaNC Wildlife Resources CommissionYGeneral seasonVerify →
- OhioOhio Division of WildlifePPrivate land / specific zonesVerify →
- OklahomaOklahoma Department of Wildlife ConservationYGeneral seasonVerify →
- PennsylvaniaPennsylvania Game CommissionPPrivate land / specific zonesVerify →
- South CarolinaSC Department of Natural ResourcesYGeneral seasonVerify →
- TennesseeTennessee Wildlife Resources AgencyYGeneral seasonVerify →
- TexasTexas Parks and WildlifeYGeneral seasonVerify →
- VirginiaVirginia Department of Wildlife ResourcesYGeneral seasonVerify →
- West VirginiaWV Division of Natural ResourcesPPrivate land / specific zonesVerify →
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