“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.   

####

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
Illinois Hunters Reminded of Changes to 2020 Firearm Deer-Check-Stations in CWD Counties


Submitted by:  TBC Press
Posted on: 11/09/20
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) recently announced changes to Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) check station procedures during the 2020 seven-day Illinois Firearm Deer Hunting Season (Nov. 20-22 and Dec. 3-6). The changes, health and safety protocols implemented in response to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, will provide greater protection to both the hunting public and IDNR staff during the season.

Hunters should follow all public health guidelines issued by the Illinois Department of Public Health. Through responsible actions, hunters can help ensure that site hunting programs continue to offer Illinoisans healthy outdoor recreation opportunities.

IDNR is reminding deer hunters that in the counties of Boone, Carroll, DeKalb, Grundy, Jo Daviess, Kane, Kankakee, Kendall, LaSalle, Livingston, McHenry, Ogle, Stephenson, Will, and Winnebago, successful firearm deer hunters must take their deer (either whole or field-dressed) to a designated firearm deer check station on the same day it is harvested. Daily check station hours are 8:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m. For the dates Nov. 20-22 and Dec. 3-6, all deer harvested by hunters using a firearm deer permit in CWD counties are required to be checked at a CWD check station; these deer should not be checked through the online or telephone system. 

*New for 2020*
Carroll County now has a CWD check station at Mississippi Palisades State Park on Illinois Route 84 north of Savanna. All deer harvested in Carroll County during the seven-day Firearm Deer Season must be taken to a CWD check station. More information can be found on pages 20-21 of the Illinois Digest of Hunting and Trapping Regulations or online at https://www2.illinois.gov/dnr/programs/CWD/Pages/default.aspx

Due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the following changes will apply to CWD check stations:

  • 1. Hunters should remain in their vehicles until approached by IDNR staff. Hunters are encouraged to arrive at check stations with their deer positioned so that the head and neck are accessible. Hunters entering the vehicle line at a CWD check station should be aware of updated signage and possible changes to previous traffic flow patterns. IDNR requests hunters stay in their vehicle until approached by a check station worker who will provide additional information. IDNR staff will ask one member of each hunting party to exit the vehicle at a time. 
  • 2. Hunters will be asked to wear a face mask at all times when out of their vehicle.  All IDNR staff will be wearing face masks and gloves when interacting with the public at CWD check stations. IDNR is asking any hunters who must exit their vehicle to wear a face mask while out of the vehicle.
  • 3. Hunters will not need to enter any indoor areas of check stations. Laminated maps will be moved outside at all check stations; hunters will have no need to enter the building at any check station.
  • 4. IDNR staff will practice regular cleaning procedures. Check station workers will regularly sanitize maps, tables, and other commonly-used areas of check stations.  Hand sanitizer will be made readily available.
  • 5. Hunters will be encouraged to leave the check station as soon as their deer has been checked. In previous years, hunters would often remain at the check station to greet other hunters and view deer as they come in. To limit vehicle congestion and crowding at the check stations, hunters should move on once IDNR staff informs them they have successfully checked their deer.  

These procedures may be further amended if health and safety protocols require changes prior to the firearm deer season. Hunters should check the IDNR website for updates at https://www2.illinois.gov/dnr

Locations of CWD check stations:
  • Boone: Boone County Fairgrounds 1/2 mi. N. of Rt. 76 and Bus. Rt. 20, Belvidere
  • Carroll: Mississippi Palisades State Park 3 miles N of Savanna at 16327 IL Route 84
  • DeKalb: Shabbona Lake State Park 4201 Shabbona Grove Rd., Shabbona
  • Grundy: Gebhard Woods State Park 401 Ottawa Street, Morris
  • Jo Daviess: Elizabeth Community Building 210 N. West St., Elizabeth 1/2 mi. W. of business district on Hwy. 20, next to Highland C.C. Elizabeth campus
  • Kane: Use Boone, DeKalb, Kendall or McHenry check station
  • Kankakee: Kankakee River State Park Visitors Center 4 mi. NW of Bourbonnais at 5214 W. State Rt. 102
  • Kendall: Silver Springs State Fish and Wildlife Area 4.5 mi. W. of Yorkville at 13608 Fox Road
  • LaSalle: Buffalo Rock State Park 3 mi. W. of Ottawa on Dee Bennett Road
  • Livingston: Pontiac Sportsman’s Club 1/2 mi. N.W. of Livingston Co. Ag Fairgrounds at 18663 4-H Park Road., Pontiac (just west of I-55)
  • McHenry: Moraine Hills State Park - McHenry Dam Day Use Area East of McHenry on River Rd., 2.2 mi. S. of Rt. 120
  • Ogle: Castle Rock State Park Rt. 2, 3 mi. S. of Oregon
  • Stephenson: Stephenson County Fairgrounds 1 mi. E. of Rt. 26 and Fairgrounds Rd., Freeport
  • Will: Des Plaines Game Propagation Center East of I-55 at 30550 S. Boathouse Road, Wilmington
  • Winnebago: Rock Cut State Park 6425 Hart Rd., Loves Park: 0.9 mi. E. of N. Perryville Rd. on Hart Rd.

####

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.
News # 14069