“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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Wyoming Ends 2020 Fall Goat Shoot in Grand Teton 2 Weeks Early
Submitted by: TBC Press
Posted on: 11/06/20
Grand Teton National Park officials in Wyoming ended an effort to kill off the park's nonnative mountain goats for now according to a recent Press Release.
Volunteer hunters killed 43 goats over six weeks before an accumulation of snow made hunter safety a concern. Chief Ranger Michael Nash ended the hunt a couple weeks sooner than planned.
“The snow’s not going to go away, at this point,” Nash told the Jackson Hole News & Guide.
Park officials want to eradicate the 100 or so goats because they compete with a population of about 100 bighorn sheep for habitat and can spread diseases, including pneumonia, to the native sheep.
They switched to using hunters on the ground after a program to shoot the goats from a contracted helicopter drew criticism last winter.
Opponents included members of the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission, who said the aerial shooting caused goat meat to go to waste. The commission sets the rules for hunting and fishing in Wyoming.
The helicopter gunning killed 36 goats in less than a day before Gov. Mark Gordon raised concerns and U.S. Interior Secretary David Bernhardt ordered a halt.
In all, 79 goats have been killed this year. That could be over half of the population, but how many goats were born this year isn't known.
Participants in the fall hunt said pursuing the goats through the Teton Range was physically demanding.
They included Game and Fish Commissioner Mike Schmid, who had been among the opponents of aerial gunning. Schmidt now says he supports shooting the goats from the air if the goal is quick eradication.
Schmid and his team killed seven mountain goats this fall. Two goats fell in areas where they couldn’t be recovered, but the team recovered the meat from five.
He praised the park's efforts to arrange the volunteer hunt.
“We were all very surprised at how well the Park Service laid it out,” Schmid said. “They’ve done what the public asked, and they gave us the opportunity.
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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 # 14061
