Management of Montezuma Quail in Texas: Barriers to Establishing a Hunting Season

Abstract

Montezuma quail (Cyrtonyx montezumae) occur throughout the desert southwest, ranging from Vera Cruz, Mexico to southern Arizona, New Mexico, and western Texas. In Mexico, Montezuma quail are a protected species and in New Mexico and Arizona they are a harvested gamebird. The distribution of Montezuma quail has changed significantly during the past century. Currently Montezuma quail are limited in Texas to the Trans-Pecos with remnant populations in the Edwards Plateau. Although Montezuma quail are classified as a gamebird in Texas, seasons are currently closed. Recently, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department has expressed interest in opening the season on Montezuma Quail. In this manuscript I review and chronicle the sociological and biological barriers associated with opening a hunting season for Montezuma quail in Texas. Sociological barriers include landowner competency and trust in state agencies, a growing voice among nonconsumptive users in Texas, a localized ecotourism industry centered on Montezuma quail, and other cultural factors. Biological barriers include lack of data on Montezuma quail population distribution, trends, and abundance; lack of scientific data relative to habitat management for Montezuma quail; or studies simulating the effects of harvest on Montezuma quail. Prior to implementing a hunting season on Montezuma quail in Texas, resource agencies will need to address the biological and sociological challenges outlined in the manuscript.