Went on a “armed hike “ that day with my two bird dogs. We will recommend a lodging location based on the species you desire to hunt. The hunter should be familiar with the habits of his quarry, especially the calls. Spring call counts around the state were up 125 percent from the 10-year average, so Gambel’s numbers and harvest should be better than last year’s numbers.”, Translation: Expect to find a few more birds to chase when the 2019-20 season opens Friday, Oct. 18. We hunt the entire state, and can combine all 3 species of Arizona quail into a hunt of a lifetime. This is difficult to do, though, as the desire to bag birds after a long search can override logic in the heat of the moment. Mearns’ quail is one of the most common birds hunted in Arizona. I had loaded all of my stuff so I … Thank you. Home. Any type of action works here, though few people hunt with single shots. Published by Arizona Game and Fish Department, Arizona Wildlife News, pgs. Knowing these calls and being able to imitate them cab be invaluable in locating coveys. If hunting with a dog, trust the dog – its ability to locate birds is better than yours. Large coveys seem to evaporate as individual birds hide from the hunters. The Mearns’ quail is unique to the southern part of the state at elevations above 4.000 feet. Tags: Arizona, Arizona Hunting, Arizona Hunting Blog, Arizona Quail Hunting, Arizona Quail Season 8 Responses to “Arizona Quail Hunting: Bird Dogs” RobH August 25, 2015. I’ve enjoyed hunting quail ever since Dudley and I first took “Arizona Quail Hunting 101” together. Once the covey is broken up into singles, Gambel’s and scaled quail often hold very tight, flushing in a startling whir of wings as you approach the cover in which they are hiding. 6 Years. If you are in flag the best quail hunting and closest to you is beaver creek. To Hunt or Not Hunt Quail on the Mexican Border? Mearns’ quail breed much later than Gambel’s or scaled quail, so the hunting season starts later (mid-November) to allow chicks to mature. Avoid shooting near thickly vegetated areas such as alfalfa or cotton fields to minimize the number of lost birds. Here’s what I look for. When a shot opportunity presents itself, be prepared to capitalize on it. I find No. Those hunters under 10 must either have a valid hunting or combination hunt and fish license, or be accompanied by an adult who possesses a valid hunting or combination hunt and fish license. You can easily do this. Many bighorn sheep hunting zones are difficult to access. Arizona Mearns Quail . It’s a lifestyle that is weaved throughout the fabric of American life. We’ve all heard stories about the fortunate neophyte (aka lucky idiot) who stumbles into taking a nice buck, but no one stumbles into bagging a limit of quail. “More quail chicks on the ground at the same time usually correlates to better overall brood survival and more birds in coveys in the fall. Jun 13, 2013 #2 moonprincesskk Hatching. The shotgun must fit properly to ensure the shooter can consistently and quickly mount the gun. I prefer strap vests that suspend the game bag and shell pockets from the shoulders with crisscrossing straps. Semiautomatics are a decent choice, but for price and performance, it is hard to beat a pump gun. If you love to hunt game birds, you know that finding them in the wild can prove to be somewhat challenging. 520-235-9095. Hunting and fishing, which are regulated by the Arizona Game and Fish Department, are allowed on public and private lands with landowner consent. Their range covers a majority of the state, excluding the highest elevations (above 6,000 feet) and the drier areas of northeastern Arizona. Go to the Ca fish & game web site or call one of their offices for clarification. Which is why Pat carts around a dozen dogs from spot to spot. More eyes mean better chances of spotting and escaping danger before it gets too close. For late season birds, I even use No. Yuccas and mesquite scrub are good habitat indicators. Expect to hunt and camp in isolated, backcountry regions and prepare accordingly. Whether you are hunting for a day or for a week, we can customize your hunt to achieve the objectives you desire. Cameras set up on water catchments generated some 40,000 images in one month due to quail activity on the water. My Brittany is a little young for water retrieve, but I have heard this area is full of Mexican ducks an am looking to do a combo quail. Another resource for both new and experienced hunters alike is “An Introduction to Hunting Arizona’s Small Game.” Written by Randall D. Babb, the 196-page, full-color book covers where and how to hunt small game birds (like quail), squirrels, rabbits, ducks and geese. Specializing in upland birds- Gambel's, Scaled, and Mearns quail / Lunarita Outfitters. Youth ages 10-17 are required to have a Youth combo hunt/fish license. A quail hunter needs only a few equipment items: a shotgun, boots and a vest. Often, coveys settle just over the top of a ridge when flying uphill. What I'd never done was hunt Mearns quail when their numbers were as high as they were last December. With Gambel’s and scaled quail, this can be tough, as the birds tend to run and flush out of range. Rather than hunting wild quail, that might be better off left in the field to promote the growth of the quail population, it can be advantageous to produce your own quail for hunting… In my mind it is the ultimate way to hunt Gambel's quail. Hunters without dogs should try to predict when a bird is likely to flush. There is safety in numbers. a month ago I was happy for her. Often times your bird will be found five to 10 yards past where you’d marked it down. A youth combination hunt and fish license (ages 10 to 17) is $5. As for the scaled quail (sometimes referred to as blue quail), you can find them in eastern parts of the state. When a predator is near, a covey will flush and disperse. General Season. Birds can move after they land. Check Availability. An added benefit of lighter loads is that the shotgun will kick less than it would with heavy loads. Quail hunting in Arizona is not for the faint of heart. Or, you could look further south to find quail opportunities that are open when those northern states’ seasons have been closed for weeks. The alert hunter can read his dog’s behavior and know when a bird is likely to flush, even if the dog has not pointed. Gambel’s and scaled quail make distinctive calls that can be heard from great distances. Avoid being distracted by other shooting opportunities until the downed bird is located – you’ll bring home more birds and less frustration. I prefer sturdier material in hunter orange for enhanced safety. Let's make this the best quail thread on BYC. Some densely vegetated habitats are difficult to hunt despite good quail numbers, because Gambel’s will run, refusing to fly except behind screening cover. Spend some time around quail hunters in the South, who had the benefit of hunting during peak bobwhite numbers, and you’ll hear plenty of bemoaning about the current state of affairs. Birds often concentrate along desert washes in dense scrubby vegetation and near water sources. Region V (Tucson) Unit 37B: This is far and away the No. Upland Hunts. Mearns may well be the most challenging of all. Wounded birds often run after landing, and shooting a wounded bird when it’s on the ground is not considered bad form when done safely. The general possession limit is 45 quail in the aggregate after opening day, of which no more than 15 Gambel’s, scaled or California quail in the aggregate may be taken in any one day. The game pocket should have a lining impervious to blood. One thing I like about it is that success relies more on skill than luck. Jack . Lighter shot loads (1 ounce and lower) are sufficient. “It’s best to hunt quail with a trained hunting dog since quail would rather hunker down and hide than fly away,” Talley said. Call us to book your guided or outfitted hunt in southern Arizona, New Mexico, or Utah. Avoid areas with dense woodland. 2020 Forecast: Winter moisture improves overall brood survival PHOENIX — Truth be told, Arizona’s quail hunters are also weather wonks — always checking the forecasts, particularly during the winter months, their fingers crossed that the wet stuff is on the way. Meanwhile, hunters should note that the season for Mearns’ quail doesn’t begin until Dec. 6. If you are looking to hunt common game like quail, deer and turkey, Arizona can provide prosperous hunting. Another resource for both new and experienced hunters alike is “An Introduction to Hunting Arizona’s Small Game.” Written by Randall D. Babb, the 196-page, full-color book covers where and how to hunt small game birds (like quail), squirrels, rabbits, ducks and geese. While you do not have many hunting opportunities in the United States, you can still get out after them in two states (Arizona and New Mexico). © November-December 2008, Outdoor Tips, Hunting for Quail. I have shot quail with 12- and 16-gauge guns because those These birds tend to roost in trees and can form large coveys with hundreds of birds. Arizona upland bird hunting information, season limits, bag limits, species overviews and quick links to Arizona DNR and hunting licenses. Mearns' quail depend on monsoonal moisture, and timing and location of rainfall also influence their nesting success and population numbers. Posted on January 10, 2021 by windypointsj1s@aol.com. We can discuss all things quail--hatching, breeding, raising, etc. Jun 13, 2013 1 0 6. “This is the second summer of widespread 'nonsoons' instead of monsoon moisture. Hunting Opportunities for the Mearns Quail. I usually hunt the Gila out of my poke boat, but I also have a scanoe, if anyone is interested. Scaled Quail are found in the arid regions of Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma, ... hunt the surrounding cover. Gambel's quail (Callipepla gambelii) is a small ground-dwelling bird in the New World quail family. Wait. While quail hunting in South Georgia is synonymous with the bobwhite quail, many hunt Valley quail, Gambel’s quail, and Blue quail in other parts of the country. From guns and outdoor gear to photography and trail cams, we have the information you need. Arizona has thousands of acres of public land open to quail hunters, including some remote areas that receive low hunting pressure. After record-breaking precipitation the previous winter, desert plants flourished, yielding a bumper crop of Gambel’s quail. In these areas, the ratio of scaled quail to Gambel’s is about 10:1, as opposed to 1:10 at the edge of scaled quail habitat. Big Game Hunts. Mearns’ numbers can be high in thickly vegetated habitat. There’s no magic answer to the ideal shotgun gauge to hunt California quail, unless you are trying to justify the purchase of a new gun. Ten years ago I went to Arizona to hunt the desert quail. Arizona is proud of its dove season and has pushed a lot to the community aspect that dove hunting can create. statewide. Gambel’s quail occupy a wide variety of habitats. Just a warning, busting quail coveys up late in the PM can result in single birds that freeze to death, because they don’t make it … Gambel's quail (Callipepla gambelii) is a small ground-dwelling bird in the New World quail family. This video is a good example of what you might see during a typical day of Arizona quail hunting. If you don’t have a dog, you can still hunt quail successfully. Have particular questions, then ask Jesse James on his page on this website! Try on boots before you purchase them. Licenses can be purchased. 6 shot. Quail Hunt. The year I turned 15, I trained my first bird dog, a German shorthaired pointer named Dudley. More quail-hunting information can be found on the department’s website. It's been many, many years of releases, and you really can't say we're fully succeeding here, to be honest." Arizona is our home turf. With practice, you can do "covey clucks" and the more familiar "Chi-CA'-go" call to locate and regroup after the covey is split. Harding says this probably isn’t the best year to hunt Mearns', or Montezuma, quail. What’s Happening Now-Season Opener Oct 18 2019, What’s Happening Now-Post Season 2018-2019 Spring Report, What’s Happening Now-Season Opener Oct 19 2018. 7.5 or No. Once a bird flushes, you have only a few seconds to mount your gun, acquire the target, swing and shoot. I laughed at her .. 2017-2018 Season Dates: Gambel’s & Scaled Quail: Oct 6 – Feb 11…….Limit 15/day 45 in possesion 2017-2018 Season Dates: Mearns’ Quail: Dec 8 – Feb 11……..Limit 8/day 24 in possesion. Arizona Boys Hunt California Valley Quail, The KT Diaries – Arizona Means Quail Video. Lodging and Ammenities. If you look carefully, you will still have the opportunity to learn where and how to hunt quail most effectively. The California Quail, also known as the Valley Quail, covers the largest range of any western quail. Sometimes the giveaway cluck is several minutes after you call. Check Availability. The heart of scaled quail habitat is southeastern Arizona in the semi-desert grasslands near Willcox, Safford, Douglas and Sierra Vista. Sometimes marking the spot where you were standing at the shot will help you line up with landmarks and locate a downed bird. The general bag limit is 15 quail per day in the aggregate, of which no more than eight may be Mearns’ quail (when the … Jun 13, 2013 #2 moonprincesskk Hatching. I believe there used to be a hunting cap of 5 shells for predator, quail, etc. Reliability, weight and fit are more important than action type for a quail-hunting shotgun. No black ice worries. I have been back from Montana for about 2 weeks and we are slowly getting out and checking out some areas and running dogs.This will increase now that its cooling off.From what I have seen here in S.E. Arizona Bighorn Sheep Seasons. More quail-hunting information can be found on the department’s website at, . These little buggers live in some inhospitable areas. Carrying the gun with the muzzle pointed at the ground or in the air enables the hunter to mount the gun quickly. After a spotty and relatively weak monsoon across southern Arizona, these birds are likely to be abundant only in pockets that received sufficient precipitation this summer. After the opening of the Mearns’ season, the 45-quail possession limit may include 24 Mearns’ quail, of which no more than eight may be taken in any one day. Overview: Quail season in Unit 26M is usually open from early October until early February (See Fall Hunt regulations for exact dates). Except in the best summer rainfall years, predictions about Mearns’ quail numbers based on precipitation are less reliable than site-specific field observations. 2019 RATES. Scaled quail will travel long distances when stressed, but are usually homebodies that can be located with methodical searching once you find the general area where they are hanging out. Arizona Mearns Quail Season December 4 – February 7, 2021. Arizona hunters primarily pursue three species of quail: Gambel’s, scaled and Mearns’ (Montezuma). Hunts usually fill fast, so if you are really interested in a certain date, please book early. Mearns’ quail breed much later than Gambel’s or scaled quail, so the hunting season starts later (mid-November) to allow chicks to mature. Boots that are uncomfortable in the store will be tortuous in the field. Shell loops are handy but wear out quickly and shells fall loose in your pockets anyway. Ethics aside, you will have a hard time finding quail without a dog once they roost. It’s true that we aren’t experiencing any high-water marks for the most common quail subspecies, of which the mortality rate any given year can come close to 80 percent. Carefully watch where the flushing covey flies to, rather than waste ammunition and distract your attention on questionable long-range shots. Prepare for your upland hunt. Additionally, I would also love any pointers on places to check out, either for hunting or … I think the three shell restriction is only in place for migratory birds but I hunt with a double so I never had the occasion to talk with a ... You can pull your plug out for quail if you choose. For quail hunting, the choke (the amount of constriction on the shot pattern) should be open. Be persistent: Learning to kick cactus and other cover to flush tight-holding birds offers some of the most exciting moments in quail hunting. It’s summer rainfall that plays a key role in nesting success and population numbers of this species. Harding says Gambel's quail can be found many places where there's open desert country south of the Mogollon Rim, but for scaled or Mearns' quail, southeastern Arizona is the place to be. We hunt quail here from early October (late November for Mearns’) to early February. Be persistent – look for feathers to help locate the kill. This broad array of hunting opportunities has given the sport an almost sacred place in United States history. We can discuss all things quail--hatching, breeding, raising, etc. and the game dept. California Quail cover parts of Arizona, California, Oregon, Washington, and even into Idaho, Nevada, and Utah. Quail call: I have started using CJ's quail call to locate Gambel's. Our Arizona quail season ended last Sunday on February 10th . As far as the legal aspect of it. Arizona Quail Hunting Camp: Home 2020-2021 Quail Reports Hunting Gallery 2019-2020 Quail Reports 2018-2019 Quail Reports Bird Dogs 2017-2018 Quail Reports 2016 ... Corley Boy Early Ariz Quail Hunt: Circa 1984: L-R Son Matt, Bob, Bro Ted, his son Jason, Dad Olan G., Kenny, and Cousin Ken Corley. “Even with one good year of production — and hopefully more to come — statewide numbers will expectedly be lower than historical numbers, but hunting Gambel’s this fall should still be exciting.”. For Mearns’ quail, the covey rise often is the only shooting opportunity. Let's make this the best quail thread on BYC. Had no intention of shooting a quail that day as we need every bird to hopefully breed. Limits: 8 per day, 24 possession in aggregate with other quail AZQuailToday.com — a website with the goal to provide complete and updated information regarding quail and quail hunting in all of Arizona. I'd completed my Arizona trifecta way back in the 1990s in one morning's hunt near Wilcox. Many lightweight vests are made of cool, mesh material, but mesh can shred after one season in our quail country. When following up on a covey, look for likely cover where birds may settle, even if you don’t witness birds landing. Upland Hunts. Arizona Quail Hunt, Day 3. Leather boots fend off cactus spines. Quail are social-gatherers and live in social groups called coveys. Oct. 1-Dec. 31**. Being forewarned is one of the biggest assets of hunting with a dog. Ten years ago I went to Arizona to hunt the desert quail. The Arizona Quail Hunting season opens in Mid -October and generally its is to hot and snaky.We suggest booking an Arizona Quail hunt from mid to late November thru to the 2nd Sunday in February when the Arizona Quail Hunting Season ends.If you are a Quail Hunter seeking the ultimate Wild Quail and Dove hunting experience you need to consider a booking a Guided Arizona Quail Hunt with Orvis Endorsed … That was “Arizona Quail Hunting 101” for me. Found a covey? While there will be a few hot spots out there, O’Dell said hunters should prepare to put in the work to find them. Guided hunts in southern Arizona. Other Services. 1 unit in the state for harvest. He not only told me where to hunt he even told me where to park my truck. These features can be convenient but are not required and may add unnecessary cost and weight. warning people that migratory bird was still … Unfortunately, quail populations have been on the decline in recent decades as the species' habitat has become more and more sparse. Scaled quail, a grassland species of the Chihuahuan Desert, are found in eastern Arizona. Recent innovations have produced fancy vests with internal hydration systems and various configurations of pockets and game bags. Arizona offers the wingshooter the opportunity to pursue three species of Quail which are Gambels, Mearns and Scaled Quail, on top of great Arizona Quail hunting there can be awesome late season hunting for Mourning Doves along with Duck hunting via jump shooting tanks. Arizona’s quail season runs until Feb. 9. var d = new Date(); Its a little too hot and snaky early in the season but by mid November it is getting cool enough to make for an enjoyable hunt … Look for oak woodland with good grass cover and concentrate efforts on forested hillsides and drainage bottoms. The second piece of equipment required for quail hunting is a pair of lightweight boots. “Holding the quail in place with a dog will enable you to get close enough to flush the birds and get a shot. Arizona has many surprises when it comes to hunting seasons. ... it will enable you to apply in upcoming Arizona permit-tag drawings and to hunt again when upland game seasons open again in the fall. Also, can you hunt bogs Hole without a dog. **Season dates vary by zone, specifically for Rocky Mountain and Desert bighorn sheep. Good quail hunters can rest assured they can hit all other types of upland game with relative ease. All three major species of Arizona quail form pair bonds by March, but each have different breeding seasons. Unless you intend to carry birds and shotgun shells in grocery bags – don’t laugh, some hunter do – a good shooting vest is a necessity. PHOENIX — Truth be told, Arizona’s quail hunters are also we, “Unlike the past few years, when hatch dates were spread out over the spring and summer, strong winter precipitation patterns this last winter should have concentrated hatch dates for quail clutches,” said Johnathan O’Dell, small game biologist for the Arizona Game and Fish Department. Waterproof boots are nice, but not necessary. A youth combination hunt and fish license (ages 10 to 17) is $5. last week she got 3 on the ground again 2 with one shot and one on another shot. LunaRita Outfitters, LLC. Generally the hunter who walks the most and shoots well is the one who earns an “A.”. “Places like Patagonia, Sonoita, or in some of the sky island isolated mountain ranges would be good starting points,” Harding suggests. While the Santa Rita, Huachuca and Atascosa mountains are among the most popular Mearns’ hunting areas, any oak woodland or savannah on the Coronado National Forest can hold birds. I had called an Arizona biologist and he was really helpful. Thought I’ll never again match that season for days afield, over the years I’ve continued to study the secrets of quail hunting. I had called an Arizona biologist and he was really helpful. , She asked me why I dont shoot at them when there on the ground so I told her its too easy. ... Arizona California Quail Season October 16 – February 7, 2021 Limits: 15 per day in aggregate with other quail, 45 possession. Arizona is our bread and butter. Hunters 18 and older are required to have a valid hunting or combo hunt/fish license. Compared to just about any other outdoor activity, quail hunting requires a smaller initial investment. A good dog and a call can improve enjoyment, but are not necessary for success. A quail-call can also help you “call-back” singles to your general direction after you bust up a covey. Quail populations are affected by winter precipitation (October through March), so local information on winter rainfall from the previous year narrows the hunter’s search. I know Mearns quail will be out of season, but the timing works with work and family so I’m not sure I could postpone to December. Everything in the desert tries to protect itself by inflicting pain, but the beauty can… 8 shot is commonly used. Gambel’s quail breed in spring and early summer, and breeding intensity and success are directly related to the amount of rainfall received during the previous October through March. In that case, the one you’re looking at will be just perfect. Anglers are not required to buy a hunting license to fish in AZ. Some lightweight 12-gauge shotguns are suitable for quail hunting, but generally the smaller-gauge guns are lighter. On the morning of Day 3 there was a little fog but it was above freezing. Every day after the school bus dropped us off, I left my friends to watch “Gilligan’s Island” and solve their Rubik’s cubes while I took Dudley quail hunting. The general bag limit is 15 quail per day in the aggregate, of which no more than eight may be Mearns’ quail (when the Mearns’ season opens Dec. 6). A fourth species, California quail, is found along the Little Colorado River drainage in Apache County, but number are so low in Arizona that I’ll leave it out of this discussion. He not only told me where to hunt he even told me where to park my truck. Arizona Quail Hunting Camp: Home 2020-2021 Quail Reports Hunting Gallery 2019-2020 Quail Reports 2018-2019 Quail Reports Bird Dogs 2017-2018 Quail Reports ... How cool it was to touch base in the dove fields with an old quail hunting bud and his REI friend. Awesome seeing this. Mearns’ quail inhabit the mountain ranges of southeastern Arizona. There is no sneaking, stalking or crouching in camouflaged concealment. Gambel’s is most often hunted in the open desert. document.getElementById("demo").innerHTML = d.toDateString(); Written by Kirby Bristow Success at finding quail is proportional to the numbers of miles walked, which can be brutal in poorly fitting, heavy, insulated boots. but that doesn't apply anymore, I remember facebook blowing up in 2012 of buddies happy with the passing of that bill (HB 2640?) The northern units are some of its better quail hunting areas. 6 Years. Home. However, not all public lands provide suitable quail habitat. It is better to search for a new covey than to waste time searching for a lone bird. They also offer opportunities at the band-tailed pigeon for a limited window in October. I pulled the truck off the side of the dirt road in roughly the same spot I had marked on the map. Generally, scaled quail are less concentrated along washes, preferring more open upland areas, although they seek out dense, scrubby vegetation in these areas.