It is much the same in the southeast with quail. Apparently the habitat has remained bad in eastern NC for almost 30 years now. It's been about that long since we had enough birds to make having a bird dog to hunt with worthwhile. According to the textbooks, the habitat in the '60s and '70s was worse; but yet, somehow, we had birds back then.
Not intending to hijack the thread to discuss the quail situation here, but just to reinforce the fallibility of the wildlife establishment.
The NC mountains also had some marginal Ruffed Grouse hunting....It wasn't for the non-dedicated or those not willing to take on a challenge....
