“Our added winter moisture and active calling period led to a very long nesting and hatching season, starting in late April and extending into early summer, with chicks hatching as late as early July,” O’Dell said. “From a population standpoint, we are out of a deficit for the first time since 2001-2002. Quail are starting to pop up in places they haven’t been seen in a while. 

“If you’ve never had the chance to experience what Arizona quail hunting built its name on, then this would be the year to get out and enjoy it.”      

Meanwhile, hunters should note that the season for Mearns’ quail doesn’t begin until Dec. 4. It’s summer rainfall that plays a key role in nesting success and population numbers of this species. 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.       

A valid Arizona hunting or combination hunt and fish license is required for all hunters 10 and older. 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. Licenses can be purchased online or at license dealers statewide. A youth combination hunt and fish license (ages 10 to 17) is $5.

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. 4). 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.

More quail-hunting information can be found on the department’s website at https://www.azgfd.com/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. It also includes how to prepare and cook your harvest, with illustrations and recipes. The book can be ordered for $16.95 at www.azgfd.gov/publications.

Finally, hunters should check out O’Dell’s techniques for field-dressing quail at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3gRwZAcWzzk.   

####

Publishers Notes: OUT OF STATE HUNTERS, FISHERMEN & OUTDOOR ENTHUSIASTS; Due to the Covid 19 pandemic, there could be limitations for OUT of STATE hunters, fishermen and other outdoor enthusiasts to include a 14-day quarantine requirement or negative COVID-19 testing alternative. Please check with the State's Department of Natural Resources BEFORE you travel or apply for the 2020 Fall Hunts.
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North America Sportshows
Pennsylvania 2020 Waterfowl Hunting Opportunities into January 2021



Submitted by:  TBC Press
Posted on: 10/27/20
Pennsylvania 2020 waterfowl hunting opportunities are available into January2021.

If you hunt migratory waterfowl and you are 16 years of age or older, you are required to purchase and carry a current Federal Duck Stamp or E-Stamp. Federal Duck Stamps are valid from July 1 through the following June 30. A current, signed Federal Duck Stamp or E-Stamp is good in any state you hunt. Available at https://www.fws.gov/birds/get-involved/duck-stamp/duck-stamp-information-for-hunters.php.

If you hunt ducks, coots, geese, brant, swans, doves, woodcock, rails, snipe, sandhill cranes, band-tailed pigeons, or gallinules, you are REQUIRED to participate in Migratory Bird Harvest Information Program (HIP). More information at; https://www.fws.gov/birds/surveys-and-data/harvest-surveys/harvest-information-program.php

Hunters 12 and older must also have a Pennsylvania Migratory Game Bird Stamp. This licence may be obtained through any licenced vendor or online at https://www.pgc.pa.gov/HuntTrap/LicensesandPermits/Pages/default.aspx.

DUCKS:
  • North Zone: Ducks, sea ducks, coots and mergansers, Oct. 10-24, and Nov. 17 – Jan. 9.
  • South Zone: Ducks, sea ducks, coots and mergansers, Oct. 17-24, and Nov. 17 - Jan. 16.
  • Northwest Zone: Ducks, sea ducks, coots and mergansers, Oct. 10-Dec. 12, and Dec. 29-Jan. 2.
  • Lake Erie Zone: Ducks, sea ducks, coots and mergansers, Nov. 2-Jan. 9.

Total Duck Bag Limits: 6 daily, 18 in possession of any species, except for the following restrictions: daily limit may not include more than 2 mallards including 1 hen mallard, 2 black ducks, 3 wood ducks, 2 redheads, 2 canvasbacks, 1 pintail, 1 mottled duck, 1 fulvous whistling duck, 4 eiders, 4 long-tailed ducks, and 4 scoters. Daily limit for scaup varies; see below. Possession limits are three times the daily limits.

Scaup Bag Limits:
  • North Zone: 1 scaup daily, Oct. 10-24 and Nov. 17-Dec. 17; 2 scaup daily, Dec. 18-Jan.9
  • South Zone: 1 scaup daily, Oct. 17-24 and Nov. 17-Dec. 24; 2 scaup daily, Dec. 25-Jan. 16
  • Northwest Zone: 1 scaup daily, Oct. 10-Nov. 25; 2 scaup daily, Nov. 26-Dec. 12 and Dec. 29-Jan. 2
  • Lake Erie Zone: 1 scaup daily, Nov. 2-24 and Dec. 18-Jan. 9; 2 scaup daily, Nov. 25-Dec. 17

Merganser Limits: 5 daily, 15 in possession (not more than 2 hooded mergansers daily, 6 hooded in possession).

Coot Limits: 15 daily, 45 in possession.

CANADA GEESE (includes WHITE-FRONTED GEESE):
  • Resident Population Goose Zone (RP) All of Pennsylvania except for the Southern James Bay Population and the Atlantic Population zone. Sept. 1-25 (8-goose daily bag limit); and Oct. 24-Nov. 27, Dec. 14-Jan. 16, and Jan. 29-Feb. 20 (5-goose daily bag limit in latter 3 segments).
  • Southern James Bay Population Zone (SJBP) The area north of I-80 and west of I-79 including in the city of Erie west of Bay Front Parkway to and including the Lake Erie Duck zone (Lake Erie, Presque Isle and the area within 150 yards of Lake Erie Shoreline). Sept. 1-25 (5-goose daily bag limit, except in a portion of western Crawford County defined under the “Waterfowl season highlights” section in this news release); and Oct. 24-Nov. 27 and Dec. 21-Feb. 13 (3-goose daily bag limit in latter 2 segments).
  • Atlantic Population Zone (AP) The area east of SR 97 from Maryland State Line to the intersection of SR 194, east of SR 194 to intersection of US Route 30, south of US Route 30 to SR 441, east of SR 441 to SR 743, east of SR 743 to intersection of I-81, east of I-81 to intersection of I-80, south of I-80 to New Jersey state line. Sept. 1-25 (8-goose daily bag limit); and Nov. 21-27 and Dec. 21-Jan. 16 (2-goose daily bag limit in latter two segments).
  • Exception: Areas outside of the controlled goose hunting areas at the Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area and State Game Lands 46 in Lebanon-Lancaster counties have a daily limit of one, and a possession limit of three during the regular Canada goose season. Areas inside the goose hunting areas at the Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area and State Game Lands 46 have a season limit of one.

BRANT (All Zones): Oct. 10-Dec. 7. 2 daily, 6 in possession.

LIGHT GEESE (Snow Geese and Ross’ Geese):
  • Atlantic Population Zone: Regular: Oct. 1-Jan. 23, 25 daily, no possession limit. Conservation Hunt: Jan. 25 – April 23; 25 daily, no possession limit.
  • Southern James Bay Population Zone: Regular: Oct. 13-Feb. 13; 25 daily, no possession limit. Conservation Hunt: Feb. 15 – April 23; 25 daily, no possession limit.
  • Resident Population Zone: Regular: Oct. 20-Feb. 20; 25 daily, no possession limit. Conservation Hunt: Feb. 22 – April 23; 25 daily, no possession limit.

HARLEQUIN DUCKS, and TUNDRA and TRUMPETER SWANS: No open season.

For more information see; 2020-2021 waterfowl migratory game bird

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Publishers Notes: OUT OF STATE HUNTERS, FISHERMEN & OUTDOOR ENTHUSIASTS; Due to the Covid 19 pandemic, there could be limitations for OUT of STATE hunters, fishermen and other outdoor enthusiasts to include a 14-day quarantine requirement or negative COVID-19 testing alternative. Please check with the State's Department of Natural Resources BEFORE you travel or apply for the 2020 Fall Hunts.
News # 14030