“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.
The Backcountry Press
The country's premier daily HUNTING, FISHING & OUTDOOR news in the USA and around the globe. Read whats happening in your neck of the woods & beyond.
The Backcountry Outdoor News reports the latest hunting and, fishing news along with fishing derbies and tournaments
from:
| ||||||
 | ||||||
| ||||||
| ||||||
|
HUNTING NEWS CATEGORIES
© 2010 Backcountry Press Outdoor News - All Rights Reserved Website Design by:
Connect With Us
| ||||
Disclaimer: The views expressed on this site are that of the authors and not necessarily that of TBC Press
| ||||
Wyoming Pup’ulation Control Contest for Lake Trout at Buckboard Marina
Submitted by: TBC Press
Posted on: 11/10/20
Just when anglers thought fishing on Flaming Gorge Reservoir was enticing enough on its own, Buckboard Marina is once again hosting the ‘Pup’ulation Control Contest for lake trout.
Anglers will be able to participate in this contest now through mid-June 2021 for only $20 per angler. Registered participants will be entered for prizes and immediate cash rewards for catching a tagged lake trout.
One hundred lake trout under 25 inches were tagged in Wyoming with a bright green external tag and these fish are worth $100. Additionally, there are more than 80 lake trout with orange external tags remaining from last year’s contest that are worth $50.
A decrease in growth is usually linked to competition for food resources and there being too many mouths to feed for the available resources. The main prey for lake trout in the Gorge is kokanee salmon, a prized sport fish for many anglers. In order to maintain our other sport fisheries, we need to harvest small lake trout, especially those less than 25 inches, to bring their population back into balance with the available prey base.”
The Buckboard “Pup”ulation Control Contest encourages anglers to target small lake trout in hopes of catching a tagged fish from 2019 or 2020. Registered anglers who catch a ‘tagged’ lake trout will receive $50 or $100 when the tag is presented to a Buckboard Marina employee.
Those who turn in a ‘green’ tag will be entered in a drawing and have a chance to win one of five grand prizes: a 17’ boat with a 150HP motor, a guided kokanee trip for four, and cash rewards of 50%, 30% and 20% of the collected registration fees. Orange tags are not eligible for grand prize drawings. When youth anglers catch a lake trout they can be entered into a drawing for best photo. Check out the rules at Buckboardmarina.net for detailed information. All anglers registering for the contest will be entered into a drawing for prizes.
Anglers can learn more about the impacts of an abundance of small lake trout and find tips on how to catch these fish on the Flaming Gorge page of the Department’s Green River webpage at https://wgfd.wyo.gov/Regional-Offices/Green-River-Region/Flaming-Gorge-Management.
Anglers can acquire a copy of the 2020 Wyoming Fishing Regulations at any Game and Fish regional office, most license selling vendors, or at wgfd.wyo.gov. For questions and or more information call the Game and Fish Green River Regional Office at 307- 875-3223.
####
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.
Our country is still battling COVID-19. To avoid the spread of this virus 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 # 14073
The goal of the contest is to make anglers aware of the abundance of small lake trout (25 inches) in Flaming Gorge Reservoir and encourage harvest of these fish. Only those registered will qualify for cash and prizes. You can find more information about the contest including rules at https://buckboardmarina.smashpass.com/.
“Flaming Gorge Reservoir is experiencing its highest densities of small lake trout, those less than 28 inches in total length, and this increase is predominately occurring in Wyoming,” said Game and Fish Green River Fisheries Biologist John Walrath. “Furthermore, we know that lake trout are currently growing slower than they were in the 1980s and early 1990s.
