“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.
Disclaimer: The views expressed on this site are that of the authors and not necessarily that of TBC Press
Florida WMAs With No Quota Permit Needed for 2021 Spring Turkey Hunting
Submitted by: TBC Press
Posted on: 03/02/21
The Backcountry Press
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News # 14244
No-quota permit WMAs to hunt Osceola wild turkeys
- Big Bend WMA - Jena Unit
- Big Cypress WMA
- Green Swamp WMA
- Herky Huffman/Bull Creek WMA
- W. Corbett WMA
- Jumper Creek WMA
- Kissimmee Chain of Lakes Area
- Kissimmee River Public Use Area
- Lake Monroe WMA
- Lochloosa WMA
No-quota permit WMAs to hunt eastern wild turkeys
- Apalachicola WMA
- Apalachicola River Wildlife and Environmental Area
- Aucilla WMA
- Big Bend WMA:
- Hickory Mound Unit
- Snipe Island Unit
- Spring Creek Unit
- Tide Swamp Unit
- Blackwater WMA
- Chipola River WMA
- Choctawhatchee River WMA
- Econfina Creek WMA
- Eglin Air Force Base
While a quota permit isn’t required to hunt the areas on this list, you will need a hunting license, a turkey permit and a management area permit to hunt wild turkeys at a WMA, unless exempt. These licenses and permits can be purchased with a credit card at GoOutdoorsFlorida.com or by calling 888-HUNT-FLORIDA (486-8356). They can also be purchased in Florida at county tax collectors’ offices and at most retail outlets that sell hunting/fishing supplies.
The FWC also provides a list of areas you can take a youth hunting during Florida’s Youth Turkey Hunt Weekends. The Youth Turkey Hunt weekend south of State Road 70 occurred Feb. 27-28. North of State Road 70, the Youth Turkey Hunt Weekend is March 13-14. These Saturday-Sunday hunts are available to youth 15 years old and younger and occur on many WMAs and lands outside of the WMA system. Find a list of WMAs where a quota permit is not required at MyFWC.com/Turkey and click on “Youth Turkey Hunt Weekends.”
For more information about turkey hunting, visit MyFWC.com/Turkey.
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Publishers Notes: 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.
Florida hunters willing to spend time scouting, put some miles on their boots and embrace the virtue of patience also can find success on walk-in hunting areas. While many WMAs offering spring turkey hunting require a quota permit, there are over 40 areas you can hunt even if you didn’t score a quota hunt permit. This is great news if you didn’t apply for or didn’t draw a spring turkey quota permit. If you were selected for quota hunt opportunities this year, you can extend your season by hunting no-quota permit areas.
Don’t forget, season dates and other rules may vary from statewide seasons and other WMAs, so make sure you review the WMA regulations brochure for the area you want to hunt. You can find links to the WMAs listed below by visiting MyFWC.com/Turkey and clicking on “2021 Spring Turkey Hunt Guide.” It’s also a good idea to get into the habit of checking an area’s open/closed status to determine its availability to public access and if there are any road closures or updates about check stations or entrances. You can find this information by visiting MyFWC.com and clicking on the red button “WMA Closures and Updates.”
- Log Landing WMA
- Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge
- Raiford WMA
- Richloam WMA
- Rolling Meadows Unit – Kissimmee Chain of Lakes Area
- Santa Fe Swamp Wildlife and Environmental Area
- Three Lakes WMA
- Upper Hillsborough WMA
- Upper St. Johns River Marsh WMA
- Escambia River WMA
- Lower Econfina River WMA
- Mallory Swamp WMA
- Ochlockonee River WMA
- Osceola WMA
- Pine Log WMA
- Point Washington WMA
- Steinhatchee Springs WMA
- Marks National Wildlife Refuge
- Talquin WMA
- Troy Springs WMA
- Yellow River WMA
