“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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North America Sportshows
Apply for a Arkansas 2020 Specklebelly Hunt on Private Land by Nov 8



Submitted by:  TBC Press
Posted on: 11/06/20
Hunting opportunities on the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s newly expanded Waterfowl Rice Incentive Conservation Enhancement program will officially begin with white-fronted goose opportunities on Nov. 14-15. Applications for these draw hunt opportunities on private rice fields will be accepted Nov. 5-8. Apply for an AGFC WRICE field

The WRICE program initially was a conservation program that offered rice producers a financial incentive to leave the waste grain on their fields after their fall harvest instead of tilling it under. Last year, a new twist was added to the program, offering landowners more payments if they would allow public hunting opportunities through a limited draw hunt format on weekends. The results were so encouraging on the 10 fields available last year that the AGFC was able to secure Federal funding to expand the program this year.

“We originally were not sure if there would be any opportunities for specklebelly hunters early in the year, and the late harvest had us really wondering the last few weeks. Fortunately, we now have a few fields that are ready to hunt and many areas of the Delta are already having some birds arrive with the last round of cold fronts that have come in,” Luke Naylor, AGFC waterfowl program coordinator, said. “Only a fraction of the fields that are in the program will be available for these first draws because a few farmers still need to harvest crops and finish field preparations, and some areas simply don’t get a lot of early specks, but we’re looking at more than 40 locations available when duck season rolls around for people to apply for a chance to hunt.”

White-fronted goose season was expanded to Oct. 31-Nov. 16, Nov. 21-Dec. 4 and Dec. 6-Jan. 31 this season. To accommodate the longer season, the daily bag limit had to be reduced to two white-fronted geese per hunter. Only white-fronted and lesser snow and Ross’s (light) geese will be legal to harvest during the Nov. 14-15 hunts.

Visit www.agfc.com and click the “Buy Licenses/Check Game” tab at the top of the page. WRICE program applications are listed under “WMA Applications” on the licensing site and will only be visible during the open application period. Applications for each open weekend of waterfowl season will be accepted during the Thursday-Sunday prior to the date for which you are applying. Successful applicants will be notified the Monday before the weekend for which they drew permits. Check back at www.agfc.com/wrice soon for more information about enrolled fields and draw and hunt dates.

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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.
News # 14066