Farmers in northwest Missouri have reported seeing more big coveys of quail this year than they have in many years.

Bill Chapin of Kearney, Mo., sat out opening day, but he arose early the following Wednesday for a two-hour hunt at a nearby conservation area before going to work.

Chapin flushed two large coveys of quail and several pheasants. His bag for the mini-hunt was four quail and two pheasants.

“I was very impressed to find so many birds so easily after the pounding that public areas get on opening day,” Chapin said.