“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
Commercial fishermen can take to the water beginning at 12 a.m. on Friday., Jan. 1, 2021 to take advantage of the opening day of shad season, according to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Resources Division (WRD). Shad season is scheduled to run through midnight on Mar. 31, 2021.
“We had a good run of American shad and hickory shad last year, and for many of our fishermen it proved to be a good season,” said Jim Page, WRD Senior Fisheries Biologist. “We are certainly hopeful and optimistic that this season will be a favorable one as well.”
The 2021 shad season includes the following specific regulations for rivers:
- The Altamaha River downstream from the Seaboard Coastline Railroad Bridge is open for commercial shad fishing Monday - Friday. Waters of the Altamaha River system upstream of the Seaboard Coastline Railroad Bridge and below the U.S. Highway 1 Bridge are open Tuesday – Saturday, including the Ohoopee River downstream of the U.S. Highway 1 Bridge. All waters of the Altamaha river system above the U.S. Highway 1 Bridge, including the Ocmulgee and Oconee rivers, are closed to commercial fishing.
Georgia 2021 Shad Season Begins January 1
Submitted by: TBC Press
Posted on: 12/21/20
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News # 14144
- The Savannah River is open for commercial shad fishing downstream from the I-95 Bridge Tuesday - Friday. Waters upstream of the I-95 Bridge and below the U.S. Highway 301 Bridge are open Wednesday - Saturday. All waters of the Savannah River above the U.S. Highway 301 Bridge are closed to commercial fishing. Only drift nets may be used downstream of a line between the mouth of Knoxboro Creek and McCoys Cut at Deadman's Point.
- The Ogeechee, Satilla and the St. Marys rivers are not open to commercial shad fishing.
Following are some guidelines to ensure nets used for commercial shad fishing are legal:
- The minimum mesh size for legal set or drift shad nets is 4 ½ inches stretched.
- Set nets must be placed at least 600 feet apart and should be limited to 100 feet in length.
- Set nets must clearly display the owners name and commercial fishing license number.
- Drift nets shall not be fished closer than 300 feet apart and are limited to a maximum of 1,000 feet in length in saltwater.
- Set nets and drift nets must be situated so as to allow one-half the stream width to be open and free for the passage of fish.
- All set nets must have one end secured to the stream bank and must be buoyed at the outer (seaward) end so they will be clearly visible to other boaters.
- Sturgeon, game fish other than American shad or hickory shad, and all species of catfish taken in set or drift nets must be released unharmed into the waters where they were captured.
Commercial shad fishermen must have a valid Georgia commercial fishing license and are required to have purchased a commercial fishing endorsement for shad. Applications for commercial licenses and endorsements are available at http://georgiawildlife.com/licenses-permits-passes or at http://coastalgadnr.org/CommercialFishing. Commercial licenses and endorsements may be obtained at the CRD office in Brunswick.
Vessels must be registered for use on Georgia waters. Vessel registration information is available at http://georgiawildlife.com/boating/registration. Boats used below the saltwater demarcation line for commercial fishing need additional registration. Visit http://coastalgadnr.org/CommercialFishing for information.
Georgia’s commercial fishing regulations require that fishermen must report the harvest of all American shad, regardless if they are sold or kept for personal consumption, to the CRD via Trip Tickets. Fishermen can obtain Trip Tickets by contacting CRD’s Julie Califf at 912-264-7218.
For a complete set of commercial fishing regulations, visit http://coastalgadnr.org/CommercialFishing or contact any of the following WRD law enforcement offices: Brunswick (912) 264-7237; Thomson (706) 595-4211 or Metter (912) 685-2145.
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Publishers Notes: Our country is still battling COVID-19. To avoid the spread of this virus 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.
