For many decades upland bird dog trainers have used quail and chukar for
training as well as for hunt test trialing. Escapees happen all the time.
Some do survive but typically die during our rainy, cold winters. Some may
have escaped from captivity by those who breed them for dog training, to
eat or just have as pets. I know Coturnix quail do escape from captivity
(very small quail of a variety of colors).

Martha Jordan
Everett, WA