Washington State is home to two members of the quail family – the valley (California) quail and mountain quail. Valley quail are abundant throughout the state, although the largest population is on the eastern side. Hunting of mountain quail is available to western Washington hunters only and the season is closed east of the Cascades.
The valley quail is originally found from southern Oregon to the south end of the Baja Peninsula and all the way to the western edge of Nevada. The valley quail is found throughout much of the West, including Hawaii and British Columbia.
Quail make their homes in the country as well in urban populations. Valley quail are vary adaptable. Habitat includes thick tangles of trees and tall brush, especially near stream beds, small ponds and wetland areas; valley bottoms with patches of Russian olive, oak or high sage; weather-break tree lines and fence lines; patches of low brush, weeds or tall grass; edges of standing corn, wheat or other grain fields; and medium to heavy cover surrounding harvested fields. In urban areas, trees with foliage cover near fields attract large numbers of quail. Typically, one male in the group will serve as a lookout, and in cities the male will perch on vehicles and houses in this duty.