"The son-in-law had taken the father-in-law back to where the dead quail had laid and they buried it back near the house, "
What an incredible shot - it should have been celebrated by braising it in Olive oil, a little garlic , rosemary, and some dry Reisling.
About 25 years ago I was deer hunting with a friend and happened upon a forest grouse (fool's hen) sitting quietly on a tree limb about 50 feet away My friend picked up a rock and said, "I wonder how close I can come to hitting it. Maybe I can make it fly." Pegged it square in the head.
We stopped right there, built a fire and had roast breast of forest grouse. Better than pheasant, and almost as mild as chicken. Mmmmm.