“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.
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Connecticut 2020-21 Late Waterfowl Hunting for Ducks, Mergansers & Coots Opens Nov 7 in the North Zone - Reminder of new regulations
Submitted by: TBC Press
Posted on: 10/22/20
News # 14017
Connecticut 2020-21 Late waterfowl hunting for Ducks, Mergansers, and Coots opens Nov 7 in the North Zone and runs through Jan 7. In the South Zone the Late season opens Nov. 17 - Jan. 20.
NEW for 2020-21 Season
The general duck season in the Atlantic Flyway is now being set based on the collective status of 4 species (wood duck, ring-necked duck, American green-winged teal, and common goldeneye). This is a vast departure from the way the general duck season has been set since 2000, which was based solely on the status of mallards breeding in the northeastern part of the Continent. This new approach has been in the works since 2012 and will result in a season setting process that better accounts for all duck populations and the status of waterfowl habitat in the Atlantic Flyway (more information).
The mallard bag limit will remain at 2, with 1 hen in the daily bag. The Atlantic Flyway is working towards developing a harvest strategy for mallards. Until that is set in place, the mallard bag limit will remain at 2.
- Frequently Asked Questions about changes to mallard hunting regulations in the Atlantic Flyway.
- Brochure explaining the changes in the Atlantic Flyway mallard bag limit.
Due to a decline in the breeding population, the scaup season will be a restrictive hybrid season. This type of regulation was last employed in the Atlantic Flyway in the 2008-2009 hunting season. The scaup season will be split into 2 segments. The first segment will run for 40 days and will have a bag limit of 1. The second segment will be for 20 days, with a bag limit of 2.
- The Atlantic brant season will be increased to a 50-day season, with a 2 bird daily bag limit. The midwinter survey for Atlantic brant, the metric upon which the season is set, was at 139,875, which prescribes a moderate brant season in the Atlantic Flyway.
One area of the Quinnipiac River and two areas of the West River in New Haven, West Haven, and Guilford are closed to hunting. This information will be included in the 2020-2021 Migratory Bird Hunting Guide. The closed areas are:
- No waterfowl hunting in the Quinnipiac River in New Haven from the Middletown Avenue bridge south to the Amtrak Route 1 bridge.
- No waterfowl hunting on the West River in Guilford between Route 1 and Route 146.
- No waterfowl hunting on The West River in West Haven between Route 1 and Route 122 (Kimberly Avenue).
Please remember that black duck hybrids are classified as black ducks. With the new change in the mallard bag limit, and to reduce any confusion in the field, this move will reduce the chance of a mistake.
Open Waterfowl Seasons and Bag Limits
(All Dates Inclusive - Except Sundays)
- North Zone: The portion of the state north of Interstate 95
- South Zone: The portion of the state south of Interstate 95.
- Shooting Hours: One-half hour before sunrise to sunset, except for the September Goose Season, when shooting hours end one-half hour past sunset.
- Legal Firearms: The only legal firearms that can be used to hunt migratory birds in Connecticut are shotguns 10 gauge or smaller.
Waterfowl, rails, and coots can only be hunted using non-toxic steel shot no larger than BB steel, or Bismuth-tin alloy (97% bismuth and 3% tin), Tungsten Polymer, or tungsten iron shot or tungsten-matrix (95.9% tungsten: 4.1 % polymer), tungsten-nickel-iron (Hevishot), or any other non-toxic shot approved for use by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service no larger than number two. There are no non-toxic shot requirements for hunting woodcock, snipe, or crows. However, hunters are urged to consider using non-toxic loads while hunting these species.
For more information see; https://portal.ct.gov/DEEP/Hunting/Migratory-Bird-Guide/Migratory-Bird-Hunting-Guide#WFSEAS
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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.
As OUR COUNTRY REOPENS AGAIN (from the COVID-19 pandemic) 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.
