“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
Arkansas 2021 Spring Turkey Hunting Season Opens April 19
Submitted by: TBC Press
Posted on: 03/26/21
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News # 14300
Special Youth Turkey Hunt - Zones 1 and 2: April 10-11, 2021
- Youth must have a free Customer Identification Number (CID) to hunt and check a turkey. To set up a youth's customer profile click here. Select New Customer. Once you fill out your youth's information, make sure to add the free Customer ID to your cart (under the Hunting tab) once in the licensing system and complete the checkout process.
- Bag Limit during the Special Youth Turkey Hunt is one legal turkey.
- Only hunters 6 to 15 years old may hunt turkeys during the special youth turkey hunt.
- Youths who have not completed hunter education must be under the direct supervision of an adult who is 21 or older.
Regular Turkey Season Dates; Zone 1: April 19-27, 2021 and Zone 2: April 19-May 9, 2021
Statewide Turkey Bag Limit:
- The statewide bag limit is two legal turkeys, no jakes.
- Exception: Hunters 6 to 15 years old may harvest one jake as part of their two-bird limit during the season (including the youth hunt).
- No more than one legal turkey may be taken during the first 7 days of the regular season.
- No more than one legal turkey may be taken per day.
- It is illegal for any hunter to harvest a bearded hen.
- Bag limit on all individual wildlife management areas is one legal turkey.
- Hunters may not exceed any zone (Statewide or WMA) harvest limits.
For more information see; https://www.agfc.com/en/hunting/turkey/
Help the AGFC track turkey hunting success
Hunters can help the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission track hunting effort and success throughout turkey season this spring by signing up to be a part of the annual Spring Gobbler Hunting Survey. It’s free to participate and your responses will help shape future wild turkey management in Arkansas.
Monitoring hunter reports from throughout the state before and during the season really helps complete the picture of how turkeys respond to certain changes in temperature, weather and hunting pressure,” said Jeremy Wood, Turkey Program Coordinator for the AGFC. “We can track trends in gobbling activity, flock breakup and other factors that influence turkey hunting and turkey reproduction.
Hunters and outdoors enthusiasts are our largest partners in conservation, and we want to work with them every chance we get to benefit the wildlife they love,” Wood said.
Visit www.agfc.com/turkeysurvey to participate in the Spring Gobbler Hunting Survey or the Wild Turkey and Northern Bobwhite Quail Population Survey. You may also contact Wood at [email protected] or call 800-364-4263 to learn more about these surveys and other ways to help the AGFC keep tabs on Arkansas’s turkeys.
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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.
The Arkansas 2021 Spring Turkey Hunting Season Opens April 19 in Zones 1 & 2. The Special Youth Turkey Hunt in Zones 1 & 2 are April 10-11.
Zone Turkey Harvest Limits:
- Zone 1: One legal turkey, no jakes (see Statewide Turkey Bag Limit for exceptions). Hunters who kill a turkey in this zone must travel to Zone 2 to attempt to harvest a second turkey.
- Zone 2: Two legal turkeys, no jakes (see Statewide Turkey Bag Limit for exceptions).
