In this episode of the Mississippi Outdoors Podcast, host Matt Wyatt sits down with Rick Hamrick, the Small Game Coordinator for MDWFP, to talk about the story of quail in Mississippi — where they were, where they are now, and what it takes to bring them back.

Rick explains how land use changes over the last 100+ years reshaped the entire landscape for quail. From the days of mule farming and small patchwork fields to modern mechanized agriculture and dense pine stands, Mississippi’s habitat has shifted — taking quail numbers with it. He also breaks down predator dynamics, the role of prescribed fire, why some regions still hold birds, and how landowners can create small pockets of habitat that truly matter.

The conversation covers:

• Mississippi’s quail boom of the early 1900s

• How habitat changes led to long-term decline

• Why quail thrive after disturbances like fire, floods, and clearcuts

• Regions of Mississippi where quail still exist today

• Public lands with quail opportunities

• The role of predators

• What landowners can realistically do — from prescribed burning to habitat restoration

• The acreage needed for hearing vs hunting vs sustaining a covey

It’s a clear, science-driven explanation of quail decline that every Mississippi landowner, hunter, or conservationist should hear.

Mississippi Outdoors is produced by the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks.

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