“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
North America Sportshows
Arkansas 2021 Archery Deer Season Opens Statewide Sept 25


Submitted by:  TBC Press
Posted on: 09/20/21
The Backcountry Press
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News # 14538
Arkansas Hunters interested in scouting a new piece of public hunting land may want to take a look at the recently published 2020-21 Arkansas Deer Summary Report to look for top prospects in their corner of the state. The archery season opens statewide Sept 25-Feb 28.

Not only does it give detailed breakdowns of statewide harvest, it also offers some insight on biological data, such as body weight and antler size of deer seen and harvested by hunters. 

Thanks to extensive restocking and management efforts by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission and its partners in conservation efforts, Arkansans now enjoy hunting seasons spanning six months and sustained high harvest rates.

Deer SEASONS
Archery - Statewide: Sept. 25-Feb. 28
Muzzleloader
  • Deer zones 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 10 and 11: Oct. 16-24 and Dec. 11-13
  • Deer zones 4A, 5A, 14 and 15: Oct. 16-24 and Dec. 18-20
  • Deer zones 9, 12, 13, 16, 16A and 17: Oct. 16-24
  • Deer zones 4 and 5: closed
Modern gun
  • Deer zones 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 10 and 11: Nov. 13-Dec. 5
  • Deer zones 4 and 5: Nov. 13-21
  • Deer zones 4A, 5A, 14 and 15: Nov. 13-Dec. 12
  • Deer zones 9, 12 and 13: Nov. 13-Dec. 19
  • Deer zones 16, 16A and 17: Nov. 13-Dec. 25
Christmas holiday modern gun deer hunt
  • Statewide (excluding WMAs that are closed during modern gun deer season): Dec. 26-28
Special modern gun youth deer hunt
  • All zones (excludes certain WMAs where a modern gun or muzzleloader permit is required to hunt): Nov. 6-7 and Jan. 1-2
Private land antlerless only modern gun deer hunt
  • Deer zones statewide: Dec. 29-31

According to last year’s data, the three public hunting areas with the highest reported harvest include Ozark National Forest Wildlife Management Area (824 deer), the South Unit of Dale Bumpers White River National Wildlife Refuge (630 deer) and Piney Creeks WMA (588 deer).  Hunters should recognize the large size of these three public areas when making comparisons. Ozark National Forest WMA is 126,889 acres, the White River Refuge is 160,000 acres and Piney Creeks WMA measures a whopping 504,643 acres.

Many other public lands throughout the state offer some high harvest rates when the harvest is compared to the acreage of each area listed in the 2021-22 General Hunting Guidebook. Mike Freeze Wattensaw, Moro Big Pine and Trusten Holder WMAs all produced impressive numbers of deer in 2020-21 for their size, with Trusten Holder being one of the best in the state at a harvest rate of one deer taken for every 61 acres.

If you did not draw a permit for one of these areas earlier in the year, there are still many areas with very good success rates available to hunt this fall. Some of the best chances at public land deer hunting during the modern gun season are available in the AGFC’s Leased Lands WMA program. These properties, found on Page 74 of the 2021-22 Arkansas Hunting Guidebook, are owned by various private landowners and timber companies. The AGFC pays their lease prices and opens the land up to the public. 

Leased lands WMAs often fill a void in portions of the state that don’t have much public land available for hunters. All leased land WMAs have standard hunting seasons with no special permit draw required to hunt, and all have good to excellent harvest rates for deer. Lafayette County WMA stands out even among the leased lands WMAs with 156 deer harvested last year on only 16,739 acres.

According to the AGFC’s deer program coordinator Ralph Meeker, “The abundance of information provided in the annual deer summary report is a great starting point for hunters to pre-scout from their computer. Beyond the use of trail cameras, being able to track changes in regional harvest, biological, and observation trends is a great way to help formulate hunting plans prior to the start of deer season.”

Visit https://www.agfc.com/en/hunting/big-game/deer/deer-harvest-reports/ for downloadable copies of annual white-tailed deer reports from 2000 to 2021.

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