“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
ODFW to Discuss 2022 Archery-Elk Regulation Proposal at June 18 Meeting
Submitted by: TBC Press
Posted on: 06/01/21
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News # 14387
This initial proposal was to move several Blue Mountains hunts to controlled hunts and split remaining units into a General Western or General Eastern hunt. Under this concept, controlled unit tags would not be portable to general season hunts, so archery elk hunters would need to choose either Eastern Oregon General, Western Oregon General, or the controlled hunt tag they drew.
ODFW has been accepting public comments and ideas on this proposal since March. Based on input from hunters, ODFW will present additional concepts for discussion at the June Commission meeting including:
- Several different options for the General Western/ General Eastern season boundary—one breaking the boundary at the crest of the Cascades and another that would include Cascade units in the General Eastern Oregon season.
- Another concept would retain a single general season in units not either currently within or proposed for a controlled hunt.
- A youth-only general season archery tag valid in most units statewide, to allow youth to hunt with family who may have a controlled tag.
- Grouping several units (Catherine Creek, Minam, Imnaha, Pine Creek, and Keating) into one controlled hunt zone encompassing the Eagle Cap Wilderness area, in effort to maintain existing wilderness hunt characteristics.
These potential elk archery changes are part of a multi-year regulation review meant to improve regulations and align them with current biological objectives for wildlife with consideration of preferences among hunters.
Based on public input received and direction from the Commission in June, ODFW will prepare a final archery regulation proposal for consideration at the Aug. 6 Commission meeting.
Additional information about the big game review can be found at https://myodfw.com/articles/big-game-hunting-season-review.
Public testimony will be taking during the June 18 virtual meeting and comments can also be submitted to [email protected]. Details on how to register to testify will be available closer to the June 18 meeting.
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ODFW staff are preparing to brief the Commission at their June 18 meeting and seek input on how to best proceed with potential changes to current general season archery elk hunts.
Changes are being considered for archery hunts in select Blue Mountains units where there are ongoing concerns with low post-season bull ratios, high archery harvest and hunter density. (See map for the Blue Mountains units of concern.) In proposing controlled hunts for these units, ODFW aims to reduce harvest for all users in areas where it’s necessary (currently, all tag reductions in these areas go to rifle hunters) and decrease the likelihood of additional controlled units in the near future.
Archery elk changes were first proposed last year, but ODFW delayed taking them to the Commission for the 2021 season to better address public input and to better communicate the concerns that led to the proposal. In March 2021, ODFW released a draft for 2022 archery elk regulations that focused on addressing two primary public concerns: the lack of a remaining general season in eastern Oregon and a more thorough biological explanation of the need for the change.
