We hunted the panhandle of Texas till about 4 years ago. Got into alot of good bobwhite coveys over the years, the last year we went we got into some blue quail which havent been in our area for a long time, kind of exciting. And I dont know about rattlers but I know road runners eat quail eggs, and I have been told also hogs eat them. But that dont surprise me, they eat anything.

I go to North East Arizona the last week in December. I usually hunt the area North of Lake Roosevelt in Tonto Basin. There are several things that call me to that area. I bowhunt and usually take a javalina along with quail and doves. You can also bowhunt muleys and coeus deer. The prickley pear cactus is in bloom and besides their beauty, quail and javalina love to feed on their blossoms. The area is snake free that time of year but everything else in the desert can stick or poke a hole in you, so you need to wear good cordura chaps and good boots. I don't recommend taking dogs but do see Texans there with kennel trailers full of them. They get crippled up pretty fast.
Take along some good tweasers because they can be worth tons of money for those that didn't. Be sure to carry something like a Leatherman tool as that's the only way you can remove Jumping Choia if it gets you.
If you just want to hunt quail, the area south of Phoenix around Florence is exceptionally good as well. Contact the Game and Fish Dept in Phoenix and they are real good about giving you hatch numbers.

Texas and hell yes on the rattlers!!!!