“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.   

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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.
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North America Sportshows
New York 2020 Salmon River Lower Fly-Fishing Area Opens Oct 31



Submitted by:  TBC Press
Posted on: 10/27/20
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) recently announced that the Lower Fly-Fishing Section of the Salmon River will be open for catch-and-release fishing starting Saturday, Oct. 31, marking the success of actions taken by the Salmon River Flow Management Team to mitigate the impacts of low-water flows at the start of the salmon run. Recommendations to prevent the spread of COVID-19 remain in effect to ensure the health and safety of the public.

Under a federal license, Salmon River seasonal baseflows are typically increased from 185 cubic feet/second (cfs) to 335 cfs on Sept. 1, providing that water levels in the Salmon River Reservoir are above a critical threshold. This summer, below-average precipitation resulted in low and declining water levels in the reservoir. 

The Executive Committee of the Salmon River Flow Management Team, comprised of natural resource agencies and Brookfield Renewable hydroelectric facility that regulates reservoir water levels, delayed the annual Sept. 1 increase in baseflow and canceled scheduled whitewater releases over the Labor Day weekend. These actions conserved reservoir water to maintain suitable flows throughout the salmon spawning run.

Because significant rainfall was not forecasted, DEC recommended delaying the scheduled baseflow increase. DEC's recommendation was based on abnormally high-water temperatures coupled with low-water flow in Salmon River tributaries, including Beaverdam Brook, where migrating Chinook salmon access the DEC Salmon River Fish Hatchery for egg collections that support the State's successful stocking program. 

Increasing baseflows prematurely would have likely enticed the Chinook salmon already "staging" in Lake Ontario to enter the Salmon River on their spawning migration, which could have stranded and/or killed fish if temperatures remained high. These fish cannot reach DEC's hatchery without sufficient water levels in Beaverdam Brook.

To increase the probability that sufficient numbers of salmon reached the hatchery to sustain the salmon stocking program, on Sept. 15, DEC did not open the Lower Fly-Fishing Section of the river to fishing. This section, situated just below the hatchery, is typically where large numbers of salmon and anglers congregate. Temporarily closing this section under the low-flow conditions allowed adequate numbers of salmon to reach the hatchery for another year of successful egg collection. To view a map of the Salmon River Lower Fly Fishing Section (PDF), go to DEC's website.

Anglers are encouraged to be respectful of the resource and other anglers by using ethical angling techniques. Additional information can be found at DEC's website.

DEC reminds anglers that several new Great Lakes tributary angling regulations became effective on April 1, 2020. For more information and exceptions, consult the DEC Freshwater Fishing Digest or visit DEC's Great Lakes and Tributary Regulations website.

This fall, Great Lakes tributary anglers should take precautions to stop the spread of COVID-19 while enjoying the outstanding salmon and trout fishing on Lake Ontario tributaries. At popular angling destinations like the Salmon River, angler density can become high enough to make social distancing difficult. DEC is placing signage at popular locations reminding anglers to be SMART when fishing this year

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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.

As OUR COUNTRY REOPENS AGAIN (from the COVID-19 pandemic) and continue to enjoy outdoor activities, ALL outdoor enthusiasts (man, woman, child) should follow the guidelines set by nps.gov. These guidelines include; social distancing, the Leave No Trace principles, including pack-in and pack-out, to keep outdoor spaces safe and healthy.
News # 14034