“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.
####
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
Pennsylvania 2021 Controlled Waterfowl Hunts at Middle Creek
Submitted by: TBC Press
Posted on: 08/19/21
The Backcountry Press
The country's premier daily HUNTING, FISHING & OUTDOOR news in the USA and around the globe. Read whats happening in your neck of the woods & beyond.
© 2020 TBC Press - All Rights Reserved Website Design by:
News # 14470
In addition to limited waterfowl hunting opportunities in the Public Hunting Areas of Middle Creek, hunters can apply for permitted waterfowl hunts in the Controlled Area. Middle Creek hunts take place on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays ONLY during the Atlantic Population Goose Season, except for the Youth Waterfowl Hunt day that sometimes falls outside the season.
Fifteen goose blinds are available each hunt day, with an additional seven duck blinds and one accessible blind. Hunters may be selected for a controlled waterfowl hunt at Middle Creek only once per season. Successful applicants are ineligible to apply for the remainder of the season except as listed below in the Pre-Season Drawing for Goose Blinds section.
Three types of applications for Controlled Waterfowl Hunts at Middle Creek:
- Pre-Season Drawing for Goose Blinds: Apply before waterfowl season through your www.huntfish.pa.gov account, at the Game Commission Harrisburg headquarters, or a Game Commission regional office. This application is for pit-style goose blinds, in fields. Hunters may select preferred dates but are not guaranteed those dates. Selected hunters are guaranteed a goose blind for an assigned hunt date only if the online check-in procedure is followed. Instructions are detailed below in the Pre-season Goose Blind section.
- No-Show Goose Blinds: Apply during the waterfowl season for no-show goose pit blinds. No-show blinds are those not claimed by hunters during the Pre-Season Goose Blind drawing. Hunters must apply using an online form that will be featured on this page during the Atlantic Population Goose Season. Application instructions can be found below in the No-Show Goose Blind section.
- Duck Blinds: Apply during the waterfowl season for a duck blind. Duck blinds are pit or above-ground blinds that are situated near water. Hunters must be prepared to retrieve birds in the water. Application instructions can be found below in the Duck Blind section.
Rules and Regulations: for Controlled Waterfowl Hunts at Middle Creek. Hunters should expect to be approached by a game warden. Federal and statewide regulations as published in current Hunting & Trapping Digest are in effect with the following additional requirements:
- Hunters may hunt at Middle Creek only once per season. Due to increased interest in waterfowl blinds, once a hunter has hunted in a duck or goose blind, they are no longer eligible to hunt at Middle Creek for the rest of that hunting season.
- Hunters must park at assigned parking areas. Do not park on roads. Driving across fields is prohibited.
- From your parking area, follow guided markers to your blind as explained in the instructions. This is important for your safety and to ensure a quality hunt for you and others at Middle Creek.
- Shooting is permitted only from your assigned blind. Firearms must be unloaded except while occupying your assigned blind. The only exception is when hunters are retrieving crippled birds, in which case their firearm may be loaded outside of the blind. Entering any other blind is prohibited.
- Do not shoot at geese out of range. LET THEM GET CLOSE! If you are shooting at geese out of range, you are impacting future hunting experiences for others by educating birds.
- Only approved nontoxic shot may be used. A list of approved shot is found on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service websiteOpens In A New Window.
- Each hunter shall have no more than 10 rounds of ammunition. Shot size shall be no larger than "T" shot. Hunters may give ammunition from their 10 rounds to others in the blind.
- In addition to Canada geese, hunters may harvest ducks or other waterfowl (including snow geese) when they are in season. Hunters are still limited to 10 total rounds of ammunition each. Harvest of tundra swans is unlawful.
- The season limit of Canada geese is one (1) per person. All other waterfowl limits conform to state and federal regulations. A hunter who harvests a Canada Goose may continue to hunt from their assigned blind on their assigned day for other waterfowl opportunities (ex. Ducks or snow geese).
2021 Dates and Hunter Numbers for the Pre-Season Drawing for Goose Blinds at Middle Creek:
- Application Deadline: Aug. 30 -- Drawing: Sept. 8
- Hunt Dates: Nov. 23, 25; Dec. 28, 30; Jan. 4, 6, 8, 11, 13, 15, 18, 20, 22
If not selected for a Goose Blind Reservation during the Pre-Season Drawing in September, hunters may apply for a No-Show Goose Blind. This application is for pit-style goose blinds, in fields. If you were selected for a Goose Blind Reservation, read the REMINDERS below.
Applying for a Permit: Hunters must apply for a No-Show Goose Blind online at Middle Creek website exactly seven days before their desired hunt date. For example, if a hunter wants to hunt Tues., Nov. 23, 2021, they must apply online Tues., Nov. 16, 2021 between the hours of 12:01 AM and 11:59 PM. Each hunting party may submit only one application. Each application can have up to four hunters in the hunting party. The application will require each hunter's CID (customer ID) number and birth date, unless they are a non-hunting observer.
DUCK BLINDS at MIDDLE CREEK
Applying for a Permit: Hunters may apply for a Duck Blind at Middle Creek online at Middle Creek website exactly seven days before their desired hunt date. For example, if a hunter wants to hunt Tues., Nov. 23, 2021, they must apply online Tues., Nov. 16, 2021 between the hours of 12:01 AM and 11:59 PM.
2021 Hunt Dates for Duck Blinds at Middle Creek
- Nov. 23, 25; Dec. 28, 30; Jan. 4, 6, 8, 11, 13, 15, 18, 20, 22
- Youth Waterfowl Hunt: Sat., Nov. 13
####
