Quail hunting is about finding a covey, handling the flush and then working the scattered singles.
Find the covey
Hunt edges where food meets cover. A good dog makes finding coveys far easier, but hunters without dogs can walk washes and fence lines.
The flush
A covey flushes all at once. Pick one bird instead of shooting into the group.
Work the singles
Mark where scattered birds land, then hunt them one at a time. Singles often hold tight for a dog.
Leave seed birds
Many hunters stop shooting a covey once it is down to a few birds, leaving breeders for next year.