In today’s upland hunting world, technology is as much a part of preparation as a good pair of boots or a reliable shotgun. OnX Hunt, a GPS mapping app designed for hunters, has revolutionized the way we scout and plan trips for upland birds. With features like satellite imagery, terrain maps, public/private land boundaries, and customizable waypoints, OnX allows hunters to turn digital scouting into a precise and efficient tool for finding birds before ever setting foot in the field.
This guide focuses on using OnX Hunt to locate and plan hunts for four iconic quail species—Gambel’s, scaled, bobwhite, and Mearns quail.
Why Use OnX Hunt for Upland Hunting?
OnX Hunt is more than a map—it’s an all-in-one tool for hunters to analyze terrain, identify habitat, and organize trip logistics. Key benefits include:
1. Access to Public Land: Identify accessible areas for hunting, including state, federal, and tribal lands.
2. Terrain Analysis: Evaluate elevation, vegetation, and terrain features that influence quail habitat.
3. Customizable Waypoints: Mark potential hotspots, water sources, and other features to revisit later.
4. Offline Maps: Download maps for use in remote areas without cell service.
5. Efficiency: Save time and effort by focusing on areas with the highest likelihood of holding birds.
Gambel’s Quail
Where to Start
Gambel’s quail thrive in arid landscapes, particularly in areas with:
• Dense Mesquite or Creosote Brush: These provide cover and foraging opportunities.
• Drainages and Washes: Quail frequently congregate near desert washes that offer food and water.
• Agricultural Edges: Small farms and ranches often attract quail seeking easy food sources.
Using OnX for Gambel’s Quail
1. Select Public Land: Focus on areas managed by federal or state agencies. Use OnX’s layers to confirm public access.
2. Scan Satellite Imagery: Look for washes, green patches of vegetation, or low-elevation thickets. Gambel’s quail prefer dense cover to escape predators.
3. Analyze Terrain: Use the topographic layer to find flats or gently rolling terrain at elevations of 1,000–4,000 feet.
4. Mark Water Sources: In arid regions, water is key. Use OnX to identify livestock tanks, rivers, or even ephemeral pools. Gambel’s quail often remain within a short distance of reliable water.
Scouting Tip:
Morning and evening hunts are most productive for Gambel’s quail, as they are active during cooler parts of the day. Look for fresh tracks or dusting spots along wash edges and listen for their distinct “ka-ka-ka-ka” calls.
Scaled Quail
Where to Start
Scaled quail, also called “blue quail,” are often found in rugged, semi-arid grasslands. Key habitats include:
• Rolling Grasslands and Flats: Scaled quail thrive in areas with sparse grasses and scattered shrubs.
• Mesquite Flats and Yucca Patches: These provide cover and food sources.
• Desert Edges: Look for areas where grasslands meet desert scrub or rocky outcroppings.
Using OnX for Scaled Quail
1. Focus on Grassland Management Areas: Use OnX to locate public lands and conservation areas managed for upland species.
2. Overlay Satellite and Terrain Layers: Pinpoint areas with a mix of open grasslands and isolated shrub cover. Scaled quail avoid dense vegetation, preferring open ground with scattered cover.
3. Identify Livestock Water Sources: Scaled quail often use cattle troughs and windmills as reliable water sources. Mark these on your map and plan your hunt around them.
4. Check Seasonal Roads: Use OnX to locate dirt or seasonal roads that cut through grasslands. These are often prime walking routes to spot birds or find tracks.
Scouting Tip:
Scaled quail are runners and will often avoid flushing if pressured. Focus on areas with wide visibility, allowing your dogs to cover ground effectively and pin birds before they run out of range.
Bobwhite Quail
Where to Start
Bobwhite quail thrive in mixed habitats of grasslands, woodlands, and agricultural edges. Key areas to scout include:
• CRP Fields: Conservation Reserve Program lands offer ideal nesting and foraging habitat.
• Brushy Fencerows and Hedgerows: These provide critical cover for bobwhite coveys.
• Field Edges Near Croplands: Look for fields adjacent to corn, sorghum, or soybeans.
Using OnX for Bobwhite Quail
1. Identify Public Hunting Areas: Use OnX to locate walk-in hunting areas, WMAs, and other accessible lands that offer prime quail habitat.
2. Analyze Edges: Bobwhite quail love edge habitat. Use satellite imagery to pinpoint transitions between open fields, woods, and croplands.
3. Check for Water: Bobwhite quail need access to water but are less reliant on it than Gambel’s or scaled quail. Focus more on food and cover proximity.
4. Mark Hedgerows and Thickets: Use OnX to locate linear brushy cover, such as fencerows or creek bottoms, where bobwhite coveys often hold.
Scouting Tip:
Bobwhite quail are most active in the mornings and late afternoons. Listen for their iconic “bob-white” call to locate coveys before moving in. Midday hunts can still be productive, especially if you focus on shaded cover or edges where birds may loaf.
Mearns Quail
Where to Start
Mearns quail, also known as Montezuma quail, are a unique upland species found in high-elevation grasslands with specific features:
• Oak Grasslands: Mearns quail are most often found in areas with scattered oak trees and bunchgrass.
• Rolling Terrain with Cover: These birds prefer broken terrain with plenty of grass and woody cover to escape predators.
• Water Proximity: While not as water-dependent as Gambel’s, Mearns quail often thrive near seasonal streams or springs.
Using OnX for Mearns Quail
1. Locate High-Elevation Areas: Use OnX’s topographic layer to identify elevations between 4,000–6,000 feet, which are prime Mearns quail habitat.
2. Search for Oak-Grassland Mix: Use satellite imagery to find patches of oak-dominated grasslands with limited brush cover.
3. Analyze Terrain Features: Mark ridges and drainages where Mearns quail are likely to concentrate.
4. Focus on Untouched Areas: These quail are less tolerant of high hunting pressure, so prioritize areas with minimal access roads or trails.
Scouting Tip:
Mearns quail are known for their tight-holding nature, making them ideal for dog work. Slow down your pace and let your dog work close, as coveys are often tucked into thick bunchgrass and won’t flush until you’re nearly on top of them.
Additional Tips for Digital Scouting
1. Download Offline Maps: Before heading into remote areas, download maps for offline use. Ensure the layers you need—such as public/private boundaries and satellite imagery—are active.
2. Mark Waypoints and Trails: Use waypoints to mark potential hotspots like water sources, brushy cover, and covey sightings. OnX’s “Track” feature lets you record your movement and avoid covering the same ground twice.
3. Check Seasonal Regulations: OnX includes hunting season dates and regulations. Confirm access rules for public lands and specific properties.
4. Layer Customization: Combine terrain and satellite imagery with game-specific layers, such as small game habitat overlays, for maximum precision.
Closing Thoughts
OnX Hunt is an indispensable tool for upland hunters, offering a level of precision and preparation that’s hard to achieve through traditional scouting alone. By leveraging its features to locate prime habitat for Gambel’s, scaled, bobwhite, and Mearns quail, you’ll spend less time searching and more time enjoying the hunt.
However, remember that digital scouting is just the beginning. Boots on the ground, good bird dogs, and time in the field remain irreplaceable. Use OnX to give yourself a head start, but let the adventure and challenge of upland hunting be your ultimate guide. With preparation, respect for the land, and a love of the chase, your next quail hunt can be your best yet.
Don’t forget to subscribe at the bottom of this page. As a thank you, you will receive a discount on your next purchase and a free western upland guide with specfic details on hunting western upland birds.
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