“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
North America Sportshows
TPWD Community Archery Program Provides Training for Future Archers



Submitted by:  TBC Press
Posted on: 11/13/20
Hunting season throughout Texas is already in full swing but Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s (TPWD) Community Archery Program aims to help future hunters prepare for next season or find a hobby with archery sports. Adaptive and accessible to most any audience, the program helps to facilitate the spread of archery skills to those hoping to bring home a meal of wild game, competitive archers and even target shooters who simply enjoy the social and health benefits that the sport has to offer.

“The benefits of archery can include everything from increased focus, improved problem-solving skills, patience and fitness,” said Rob Owen, an Outreach and Recruitment Manager with TPWD. “Our programs make use of gear designed for beginners, from youth to adult.”

The Community Archery Program works on a “train the trainer” model, training teachers and leaders through a USA Archery curriculum in range set-up, safety, program design and coaching. The curriculum is built for community groups like military bases, veteran’s groups, scouts, camps, parks and recreation departments and more. It also provides resources and certification to host a mobile archery range with an audience.

“The range can become a Junior Olympic Archery Development club (JOAD), used for outreach and recruitment, or simply an evening of family fun or camp recreation,” Owen said.

Explore Bowhunting and Explore Bowfishing programming introduces the skills of bowhunting and bowfishing to new audiences through activities and discussion. TPWD hosts training that provides instructors a set of activities that expands beyond safety and into the skills needed to be a proficient hunter. The programming covers aspects of camouflage, scent control, shot placement, gear, tracking and more.

“The Explore Bowhunting program includes outlines for a leader to host hands on activities that lower the barrier to entry to hunting sports,” Owen said. “This type of training helps to ensure a familiarity with, and understanding of, essentials hunting skills. Many new hunters are lacking these if they do not have a mentor to help with what is often learned through years of practice. Archery hunting also opens the doors to thousands more acres of public hunting land that is otherwise inaccessible to firearm hunters.”

In addition to these programs, TPWD assists in archery instruction for trainers to host programs like the National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP®) in Texas schools and its faith-based equivalent, Centershot Ministries Program.

NASP is designed for school-aged audiences in grades 4-12. Texas NASP builds Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) curriculum concepts, from Physical Education to the Sciences, into archery. TPWD offers the applicable Basic Archery Instructor (BAI) training for coaches that facilitate the program with their students. The annual statewide tournament is in Belton each March. Tournament winners receive scholarships and invitations to national tournaments and potentially “Open Tournaments” attended by worldwide participants.

Centershot Ministries offers a similar model for communities of faith and utilizes the same BAI training for the program’s local hosts.

To learn more about these programs and how organizations can get involved with TPWD Community Archery, visit the TPWD website at https://tpwd.texas.gov/education/archery.

####

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 # 14080