“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
Apply for Pennsylvania 2021 Late Flintlock/Archery Deer Hunt at Middle Creek by Oct 29
Submitted by: TBC Press
Posted on: 08/19/21
The Backcountry Press
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News # 14474
The Pennsylvania 2021 Late Flintlock/Archery Deer Hunt at Middle Creek is a 1-day opportunity available by permit only. The hunt is held outside of the statewide late deer season. Applicants will be selected through a random drawing; hunters are assigned one of seven zones. Each hunter may bring one guest. Middle Creek is part of Disease Management Area 4 (DMA 4); Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) precautions must be followed. Application Deadline is Oct. 29
Applying for a Permit: Hunters may apply for the Late Flintlock/Archery Deer Hunt at Middle Creek through their www.huntfish.pa.gov account online, or in person at the Game Commission's Harrisburg headquarters or a Game Commission region office. No other form of application will be accepted. Hunters must be properly licensed to apply. Each hunter may apply only once.
The Drawing: Applications for the Late Flintlock/Archery Deer Hunt at Middle Creek are received and reviewed prior to the drawing. Drawings are held electronically rather than in person at the Visitors Center. Applicants can check the status of an application by visiting their www.huntfish.pa.gov account. Drawing held: Nov 3.
for the Late Flintlock/Archery Deer Hunt at Middle Creek, applicants will be notified by mail. Application status can also be viewed on a hunter's www.huntfish.pa.gov account. Successful applicants are required to attend an in-person or virtual pre-hunt orientation. Failure to attend an orientation will result in forfeiture of the permit.
2021 Dates and Hunter Numbers for the Dec. Flintlock/Archery Deer Hunt at Middle Creek:
- Mandatory Orientation Meeting: LIVE - Nov. 14 & 17; VIRTUAL Nov. 18
- Hunt Date: Dec. 15
Number of Hunters drawn per zone:
- Zone 1: 4
- Zone 2: 3
- Zone 3: 4
- Zone 4: 3
- Zone 5: not in use
- Zone A:3
- Zone B:4
- Zone C:4
Total Hunters Drawn: 25
Rules and Regulations for the Flintlock/Archery Deer Hunt at Middle Creek:. Hunters should expect to be approached by a game warden. Regulations for this hunt will be the same as for the statewide late muzzleloading/archery seasons: no in-line muzzleloaders, flintlock only. Other statewide regulations as published in current Hunting & Trapping Digest are in effect with the following additional requirements:
- Only deer and coyotes are legal game. No other animals may be taken.
- Selected hunters, if still properly licensed with an unused antlered deer tag, may harvest an antlered deer. Guest hunters are eligible to take only antlerless deer.
- Only one person (the guest hunter) shall accompany the primary hunter. The only exceptions are for junior hunters required to be accompanied if that accompanying person is not a hunter, or other special situations pre-approved by the hunt manager.
- Hunters may start entering their zone at 5:00am. Hunting hours are from legal shooting time on your hunt day until 3:00 PM. All hunters must check out at the Visitors Center by 4:00 PM with or without a deer.
- Prior to 10:00 AM, entry into another zone is prohibited. After 10:00 AM, hunters may enter other zones. The only exceptions are if you have a good blood trail and are following up a shot, if another hunter needs assistance, or in an emergency. If your deer's blood trail leads into the Public Hunting Area, you may NOT enter. Call 717-733-1512, and staff will do their best to help.
- All participants must wear a minimum of 250 square inches of fluorescent orange safety material displayed on the head, chest, and back combined, visible 360 degrees.
- All check-out report forms must be placed in the box provided at the Visitors Center at the end of the walkway, or if you harvested a deer, given to a biologist or staff member at the Visitors Center. All reports must be turned in.
- All harvested deer must be presented for examination by Pennsylvania Game Commission personnel at the Visitors Center. All deer will be sampled for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) testing at Middle Creek on the day of the hunt.
- To reduce the spread of CWD, high-risk parts from any deer harvested at Middle Creek CANNOT be removed from the Disease Management Area (DMA). Please make accommodations to utilize processors or taxidermists within DMA 4 or on the list of processors and taxidermists approved for DMA 4.
- It is unlawful to damage plant life. Tree stands may be used but may not damage the cambium layer of the tree (the layer in which the sap runs). Creation of shooting lanes is prohibited.
- No hunting is permitted on any islands or from pond or lake ice.
- Permits are not transferrable.
- There will be no extensions to the 1-day hunt, regardless of weather conditions.
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