Quail hunting in Arizona is pretty much boom or bust – and, lately, it’s been more “bust” than “boom.” That cycle might be about to change.
Timely rainfall last winter gave quail populations — particularly Gambel’s, the best-known and most widespread of the state’s three main species — a much-needed boost. That led to spring call counts that were off the charts, an indicator that numbers are headed in the right direction.
The 2015-16 season, which opened yesterday Friday, Oct. 2, 2015, still figures to be slightly below average but better than last year.
“Gambel’s quail call counts taken out of the Tucson (regional) office were the highest in 10 years,” said Randy Babb, watchable wildlife program manager for the Arizona Game and Fish Department. “Traditionally, these call indices have had a direct correlation to number of birds in the hunter’s bag, but hunters should not be expecting to be wading through desert quail.
“Given the low population levels prior to this population boost, hunters should expect fair to below-average bird numbers. There will be some ‘hot spots’ out there, but it will take some work to find them. At the very least, covey sizes should be up, if not the number of coveys.”
With more detailed information about harvest at the game management unit level, the result of modifications made in 2006 to the “Small Game and Predator/Furbearer Hunter Questionnaire,” hunters might want to consider the following data when planning their hunts:
Highest-Harvest Units (long-term average):
- 37B
- 21
- 16A
- 22
- 41
Highest-Harvest Units (2014):
- 41
- 37B
- 24B
- 22
- 39
Highest Birds Per Hunter Day (long-term average):
- 26M
- 43B
- 41
- 15D
- 18B.
Highest Birds Per Hunter Day (2014):
- 44A
- 39
- 26M
- 24A
- 41.
While quail hunters spend most of their time in pursuit of Gambel’s, the outlooks for scaled quail, which inhabit the open country of eastern Arizona, and Mearns’ quail, whose distribution primarily is in the southeast corner of the state, are pretty much the same.
“This year, scaled quail have had the opportunity to take advantage of either the good winter precipitation or the monsoons,” said Johnathan O’Dell, small game biologist for the department. “So far, I’ve seen more scaled quail this year than last year. Expect a slight below-average season, but again, better than last.”
As for Mearns’: “The monsoon rain patterns have been consistent for four years straight now, which have allowed the Mearns’ quail population to steadily rise to normal levels,” O’Dell said. “You should find another average season waiting for you.”
The season for Gambel’s, scaled and California quail, which receives little hunting pressure and is found along the Little Colorado River drainage near Springerville, opens Friday, Oct. 2, 2015, and runs through Sunday, Feb. 7, 2016. Mearns’ quail can be hunted starting Friday, Dec. 4, 2015, through Sunday, Feb. 7, 2016.
A valid Arizona hunting or combination license is required for all hunters 10 and older. Those hunters under 10 must either have a valid hunting or combination license, or be accompanied by an adult who possesses a valid hunting or combination license. Licenses can be purchased online or at license dealers statewide.
The general bag limit is 15 quail per day in the aggregate, of which no more than eight may be Mearns’ quail. 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. 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.