“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
SW Florida 2021 Regulations for Snook, Redfish and Spotted Seatrout Effective June 1st
Submitted by: TBC Press
Posted on: 06/01/21
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News # 14389
- These regulations are for all state waters south of State Road 64 in Manatee County, including Palma Sola Bay, through Gordon Pass in Collier County but not including the Braden River or any tributaries of the Manatee River.
As a reminder, under normal regulations, snook will open to harvest on Sept. 1.
Seatrout will be under new, more restrictive regulations that took effect in 2020, including a recreational size limit of 15-to-19 inches total length, a one seatrout over 19 inches per vessel allowed limit, a daily commercial limit of 50 per harvester, and a zero captain and crew bag limit when on a for-hire trip. The daily bag limit for spotted seatrout will be five fish from Pasco County through Fred Howard Park Causeway in Pinellas County near the Pasco County line, and it will be three fish south of the Fred Howard Park Causeway on the Gulf coast.
The current catch-and-release measures for snook, redfish and spotted seatrout in all waters from Pasco County through Gordon Pass in Collier County remain in effect through May 31, 2021.
These temporary catch-and-release measures were put into place in this area after these fisheries were impacted by a 2017-2019 severe red tide.
Learn more about regulations for these species by visiting MyFWC.com/Marine and clicking on “Recreational Regulations.”
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Starting June 1, 2021, the following saltwater fishing changes will take place in southwest Florida:
Pasco County and Tampa Bay:
- Normal regulations will resume for snook, redfish and spotted seatrout in all state waters in Pasco County and Tampa Bay north of State Road 64 in Manatee County plus the Braden River and its tributaries.
- Sarasota Bay through Gordon Pass in Collier County:
- Snook and redfish will remain catch-and-release through May 31, 2022.
- Normal regulations for recreational spotted seatrout harvest will resume with the addition of a six-fish recreational vessel limit. Commercial harvest will also resume, but harvest will be held to the recreational three-fish bag and six-fish vessel limits.
