“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
Oregon 2022 Freshwater Fishing Season Regulation Updates
Submitted by: TBC Press
Posted on: 04/12/22
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News # 14746
The season structure is intended to provide a balanced approach within a lower harvest guideline than recent years that still offers four weekend and four weekday fishing days, plus an extra day of retention on the Memorial Day holiday. Anglers are reminded to always check the Recreation Report – Fishing Report for the Columbia River Zone before fishing to be certain the season doesn’t close early as a fishery can close suddenly if catch rates are higher than expected https://myodfw.com/recreation-report/fishing-report/columbia-zone
Rogue anglers reminded of April 1 closures, low flow conditions
ODFW reminds anglers of several closures on the Rogue River as of Friday, April 1. Closures:
- Hatchery Hole: closes to allangling April 1 – July 31, 2022. This closure is primarily due to poor hatchery spring chinook returns and to help meet broodstock needs.
- Trout fishing: closes April 1 – May 21 in the Rogue, Applegate and Illinois rivers to protect wild steelhead smolts headed to the ocean. Catch and release fly angling for trout is also prohibited during this time. This annual closure has been in place since the mid-1990s.
Low flow conditions:
The upper and middle Rogue are close to record low flows, due partly to water being held back to help fill Lost Creek and Applegate reservoirs. Continued drought is also affecting flows in Rogue tributaries. Anglers and other river users should avoid disturbing spawning fish and redds and in the shallow riffles and tailouts of the upper Rogue. Because the developing eggs and fry will remain in the gravel through June, caution is needed for the next few months. With higher-than-normal wild winter steelhead spawning in this area, redds could be damaged or destroyed by disturbance or trampling.
Spring Chinook fishing to open on Hood River April 15, no season in the Deschutes
ODFW has set the following regulations for a spring Chinook fishery on the Hood River:
- Open for adult hatchery Chinook from April 15 through June 30 from the mouth to mainstem confluence with the East Fork, and the West Fork from the confluence with the mainstem upstream to the angling deadline 200 feet downstream of Punchbowl Falls.
- The catch limit is one adult hatchery salmon per day, and five hatchery jack salmon per day.
- All wild Chinook salmon must be released unharmed.
Fishery managers are predicting a good return of about 1,200 adult hatchery fish for the Hood River, which is quite a bit higher than last year’s actual return. There will be no season for spring Chinook on the Deschutes River for 2022 due to another year of predicted poor returns of both hatchery and wild fish.
According to Jason Seals, ODFW fish biologist, the Hood River fishery is one of the few places a bank angler has a pretty good chance of catching a Columbia River spring Chinook. Seals said the run usually peaks in late May due to colder water temperatures in the Hood River. For the latest regulations and recreation report for the Central Fishing Zone visit https://myodfw.com/recreation-report/fishing-report/central-zone
Spring Chinook fishing to open on Umatilla River April 16
Spring Chinook fishing will open under normal permanent regulations on the Umatilla River this year for the first time since 2018. Fishery managers are predicting a good return of approximately 3,000 spring Chinook for the Umatilla River this year, which is almost double last year's actual return.
Regulations for the fishery are as follows:
- Open for adult hatchery Chinook from April 16 to June 10 from the Hwy 730 bridge to Three Mile Falls Dam and from April 16 to June 30 from Three Mile Falls Dam to the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation boundary (approximately 0.7 mi above Hwy 11 bridge).
- The catch limit is two adult hatchery salmon per day, and five hatchery jack salmon per day.
- All wild Chinook salmon must be released unharmed.
- One the harvest quota has been reached, the fishery will be closed.
Remember to always check for the latest regulations before fishing by visiting the Recreation Report for the Northeast Fishing Zone visit https://myodfw.com/recreation-report/fishing-report/northeast-zone
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ODFW wants to remind anglers of some 2022 freshwater changes pertaining to salmon, sturgeon and Steelhead fishing. Below is a summery of these changes.
Lower Columbia River estuary sturgeon retention days set to begin May 11; season includes Memorial Day
Fishery managers from Oregon and Washington today adopted a sturgeon retention season for the Lower Columbia River estuary below Wauna Powerlines as follows:
- Season: Wednesdays and Saturdays from May 11 until June 4, plus Monday May 30 (Memorial Day)
- Area: Mainstem Columbia from the Wauna Powerlines (near river mile 40) downstream to the mouth at Buoy 10, including Youngs Bay, and all adjacent Washington tributaries
- Legal size: 44-inch minimum and 50-inch maximum fork length (measured in a straight line from the tip of the nose to the fork in the caudal fin (tail) with the fish laying on its side on a flat surface, with the tape measure/ruler positioned flat under the fish)
- Bag limit: Daily one legal sturgeon, annual two legal sturgeon.
- To allow for a longer season and a weekend fishing day in June, the season will start in mid-May (when catch rates are lower), and retention will be open only two days per week not three. On open retention days, all sturgeon fishing including catch-and-release will close at 2 p.m. With fewer days and a 2 p.m. closure, staff have time to review the fishery’s performance on a weekly basis and take action if necessary.
