Late Season in the Uplands: Pro Tips from Durrell Smith

The late upland bird season is a special time. For many of us, it’s the culmination of months spent training dogs, refining our shot, and immersing ourselves in the rhythms of the uplands. By this point in the season, birds are wiser, cover has changed, and the weather demands more resilience from hunter and hound. It’s also when the art of upland hunting shines brightest—requiring patience, knowledge, and precision.

As an Orvis-endorsed wingshooting guide and lifelong student of the sporting life, I look forward to late-season hunting for the unique challenges it brings. It’s an opportunity to tap into a deeper understanding of the land, the birds, and the tools I carry—like my trusted Benchmade knives, which have proven invaluable both in the field and at the tailgate.

Here are some of my top tips for late-season upland bird hunting, drawn from years of experience in Georgia’s piney woods and beyond.

1. Understand the Change in Bird Behavior

By the late season, upland birds like bobwhite quail have become experts at survival. Unlike the more naïve birds of early fall, these birds have survived countless encounters with predators, weathered several storms, and likely dodged their fair share of hunters.

One of the key shifts is in what they’re feeding on. Early-season food sources like soft seeds and berries have dwindled, and the birds pivot to heartier options. In Georgia’s longleaf pine savannas, this often means grains left in food plots, seeds in firebreaks, or even residual mast from nearby hardwoods. Hunting these areas becomes crucial.

Pro Tip: Focus your efforts on firebreaks and food plots. Firebreaks are especially productive in late season because they often hold seeds, provide edges for cover, and connect different habitats. Walk them slowly, letting your dog work the edges where birds might be loafing or feeding.

2. Follow the Sun

The late-season cold is no joke, even here in Georgia. Frosty mornings and brisk winds have a big influence on where you’ll find birds. Just like us, they seek warmth and protection, especially early in the morning.

Sunny areas—southern-facing slopes, open patches in the woods, or the edges of clearings—are prime locations during first light. Birds will often gather here to warm themselves and begin feeding. Similarly, these sunny spots can be productive again as the day winds down.

Pro Tip: Start your hunt where the sun hits first. Walk the edges of sunny clearings or southern-facing firebreaks, paying special attention to areas that combine warmth with food and cover.

3. Cut Down on Noise and Movement

By now, late-season birds have learned to be cautious, skittish, and quick on the flush. While early-season birds might hold tight, late-season bobwhites are more likely to run at the first hint of danger. This makes stealth and strategic movement essential.

Minimize your noise in the field. From the clinking of your gear to your dog’s beeper collar, every sound matters. Birds can hear you coming long before they see you, and once they’re running, it’s tough to pin them down.

Pro Tip: Switch to a low-volume bell or use a silent mode on your dog’s collar. Walk slower, scanning ahead for subtle movement in the grass or signs of a running covey. By moving deliberately, you increase your chances of flushing birds within range.

4. Adjust Your Dog Work

Late-season upland hunting is a game of teamwork, and your bird dog is your most valuable partner. But just like the birds, your dog has learned a lot since opening day. Late season is an opportunity to test and refine that knowledge.

When birds are more likely to run, steady pointing and strategic repositioning are key. Be patient and trust your dog’s instincts, even if they seem to take more time tracking birds. Running quail will often double back or move toward thicker cover, so watch your dog’s movements closely and be ready to adjust your position.

Pro Tip: Don’t rush your dog. Allow them to work a running covey methodically, even if it means taking a few extra minutes.  Also, try to  position yourself to cut off their escape route.

5. Dress for the Elements and the Occasion

Late season means colder temperatures, which can be both a challenge and a blessing. On the one hand, the cold makes hunting more demanding. On the other, it creates opportunities to find birds in predictable places, like sunny clearings and protected coveys.

Dressing properly ensures you can stay out longer and hunt more effectively. Layers are your best friend—light enough to move comfortably but warm enough to fend off the chill. And don’t forget durable gear for working through thick cover, briars, and firebreaks.

Pro Tip: Invest in high-quality, lightweight layers that wick moisture and retain warmth. Durable outerwear, paired with breathable boots, keeps you moving through the uplands comfortably.

6. Know Your Tools

As hunters, our tools are extensions of ourselves. While your shotgun might get the most attention, your knife is just as critical. A Benchmade knife like the Flyway is an indispensable tool for cleaning birds, cutting cordage, or even whittling a makeshift walking stick.

Late season often means packing light, so every tool you carry should serve multiple purposes. A reliable folding knife is perfect for upland hunting—compact, sharp, and ready for anything the field throws at you.

Pro Tip: Keep your Benchmade knife sharp and handy. After a successful hunt, use it to clean birds quickly and efficiently, then stow it safely for the next challenge.

7. Slow Down and Savor the Moment

Finally, the late season is about more than the hunt. It’s a time to reflect on the months that brought you here—the miles walked, the birds flushed, and the dogs that worked their hearts out alongside you. Stop now and then to take it all in and enjoy the moment.

Pro Tip: Slow down. Take stock, and savor every moment. We're fortunate to have vast wild lands and waters open to us for this thing that we love. Enjoy it!

 

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Late season is a reminder that hunting is as much about connection as it is about harvest. Connection to the land, connection to your dog, and connection with yourself. These are important all year 'round, but the challenges posed this time of year in the northern hemisphere will test your skills, patience, and adaptability, reinforcing the need to be properly prepared and in the right mindset to succeed—and to enjoy.