“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
Deadline to Apply for an Oregon 2021 Controlled or Premium Hunt is May 15
Submitted by: TBC Press
Posted on: 05/03/21
The Backcountry Press
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News # 14344
After you login, go to Purchase from the Catalog/ Big Game Hunting to find the application for each series. You will be prompted to complete your hunt application and select your hunt choices (or get a Point Saver) in the checkout process. An annual hunting license is required to apply and can be purchased at the same time as controlled hunt applications.
Directions on how to apply online are here https://myodfw.com/articles/how-apply-controlled-hunt and more tips on using ODFW’s electronic licensing system are here https://myodfw.com/ELS
If you have problems with your online account, call Licensing at (503) 947-6101 or email [email protected].
You can also apply at a license sale agent (find list at https://myodfw.com/articles/where-find-odfw-license-agentsvendors) Remember to check store hours and don’t wait until the last minute as their lines can be long on deadline day.
As of today, 152,133 controlled hunt applications have been sold which is a 27 percent increase over the same date last year. Last year (2020), a total of 488,291 controlled hunt applications were sold, compared to 473,994 in 2019 (a 3 percent increase).
Hunting, fishing, and wildlife parking area sales increased last year when activities moved outdoors due to the pandemic. Angling license sales increased by 18 percent and hunting by 6 percent in 2020 compared to 2019. More sales occurred online via the new electronic licensing system too, with more than 53 percent of gross revenues coming from internet sales, up from 39 percent in 2019.
Big game hunting regulation changes for 2021:
A reminder on what’s changed for big game hunting in 2021 (see regulations here http://www.eregulations.com/oregon/big-game-hunting/ )
- All archery deer hunting in eastern Oregon is by controlled hunt.
- Eastern Oregon controlled archery deer tags are not valid in the western Oregon general archery season.
- West Cascade Elk general season has been moved to the second week of November.
- One continuous season for General Any Legal Weapon Western Oregon buck deer tag in the Coast and Cascade units.
- Bag limit for the Desolation Unit during the general archery elk season is now one bull elk.
- New California bighorn sheep ewe hunts in each of the John Day River and Deschutes River hunt areas. (Ewe hunts are not once-in-a-lifetime hunts, so you can still draw a ram hunt after drawing the ewe hunt. Sheep hunts are not based on preference points so you won’t lose points by drawing the ewe hunt.)
- Other new hunts, hunt name changes, and a few hunt number changes are highlighted in the regulations including a NEW Santiam Unit Late Traditional Bow controlled hunt.
- Reminder that Starkey Experimental Forest elk tags have been reduced from what is printed in the regulations.
Don’t forget about Premium Hunts
Finally, don’t forget to apply for a Premium Hunt—deer, elk and pronghorn antelope tags with a four-month season (Aug. 1-Nov. 30) and any-sex bag limit.
Like all limited-entry controlled hunts, applications are $8, and due on May 15. Premium Hunt tags also cost the same as other big game tags.
But the draw for Premium Hunts is not based on preference points, so everyone has an equal chance to draw each year. And unlike “once-in-a-lifetime” bighorn sheep and Rocky Mountain goat tags, Premium Hunts can be drawn again and again.
Premium Hunts are also considered additional tags—meaning winners can still hunt on their regular controlled or general season big game tag.
Both residents and non-residents can apply and both have an equal chance to draw.
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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.
Don’t wait until the last minute to apply for an Oregon 2021 controlled or premium hunt as the May 15 deadline falls on a Saturday this year.
The online licensing system will process applications until 11:59 p.m. on May 15, and license vendors will also be selling applications. But ODFW licensing staff will not be available to help hunters who wait until Saturday and encounter problems accessing their account.
“We are urging hunters to not wait until the last minute this year,” said Michael Hawkins, ODFW Licensing Services Manager. “The majority of applications come in during the last few days before the deadline and our hold and email response times peak. But because the deadline falls on a weekend, ODFW customer service staff will not be able to help you if you wait until Saturday to apply.”
It’s easy to apply online at MyODFW.com (click the green Buy a License button at top right corner). If you don’t already have an account but have preference points (or a Pioneer License, NW Goose permit or any other special certification), use the Verify/ Look Up feature to find your account. Remember to use an email you can actually access in case you need it to reset your password later.
