“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
Washington 2021 Spring Turkey Season Opens April 15
Submitted by: TBC Press
Posted on: 03/26/21
The Backcountry Press
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News # 14294
Additional turkey tags may be purchased at any time. In appropriate areas, two turkeys can be harvested in one day.
Three subspecies of wild turkey have been introduced in Washington: the Merriam’s, Rio Grande, and Eastern.
- Merriam’s subspecies occupies portions of Spokane, Pend Oreille, Stevens, Ferry, Okanogan, Chelan, Kittitas, Yakima, Klickitat, and Skamania counties.
- Rio Grande turkeys can be found in Asotin, Garfield, Columbia, Walla Walla, Whitman, and Lincoln counties.
- Eastern subspecies can be found west of the Cascades in Cowlitz, Wahkiakum, Pacific, Grays Harbor, Mason, Thurston and Lewis counties.
For more information see; https://wdfw.wa.gov/sites/default/files/publications/02209/wdfw02209.pdf
HUNTERS ED
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, WDFW is offering an online course for students at least nine years old. Students under nine can complete the online course, but they must attend a field skills evaluation before they can become certified. Because certified volunteer instructors cannot yet hold in-person classes, WDFW has very limited ability to provide field skills evaluations for students under nine.
As with in-person hunter education classes, successful completion of the course is only the beginning of a hunter’s learning journey.
“While we know there is value in in-person learning and we are preparing for the day when we can meet in-person again, COVID-19 restrictions required us to change to an all online course to ensure the vast majority of Washingtonians could complete hunter education,” said Whipple.
According to Whipple, because hunter education courses cover firearm and hunting safety, basic wildlife conservation, ethics, and more, they are one of the primary methods the department uses to help hunters stay safe and ensure they are familiar with rules that protect public safety and maintain healthy wildlife populations.
Hunters can find hunter education course information, as well as valuable short video resources to reinforce safety practices for new hunters, on WDFW's website at https://wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/requirements/education/basic. Experienced hunters who have never taken a hunter education class may also find them valuable.
All hunters born after Jan. 1, 1972 must complete a hunter education course to buy a hunting license. The hunter education deferral is another option for students 10 and up who want to try hunting before completing a hunter education course. The deferral allows a person to go hunting with an experienced hunter for one year before completing hunter education.
WDFW staff are also looking forward to offering hunting clinics and mentored hunts in the future. Hunters can check WDFW’s website at https://wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/requirements/hunting-clinics for information on hunting different game species and upcoming clinics.
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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.
With the 2021 spring turkey season set to begin April 15, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) urges new, prospective hunters to complete hunter education now to participate in 2021 hunting opportunities. The 2021 Season runs April 15 - May 31.
Hunting hours are - one-half hour before - sunrise to sunset during spring seasons. ONLY Male turkeys and - turkeys with visible beards are allowed.
A total of three (3) turkeys in the spring season with following restrictions:
- Only two (2) turkeys may be taken in eastern Washington and only one (1) of those may be taken in Chelan, Kittitas, or Yakima counties (combined);
- only one (1) turkey may be taken in western Washington per year outside of Klickitat County.
- Two (2) turkeys may be taken in Klickitat County.
