“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
Nebraska 2021 Upland Bird Hunting Season Kicks off with Youth Oct 23-24
Submitted by: TBC Press
Posted on: 10/15/21
The Backcountry Press
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News # 14578
The Nebraska 2021 statewide youth pheasant, quail, and partridge season for hunters ages 15 and younger will take place Oct. 23-24. Upland bird hunting provides an excellent opportunity to mentor new hunters.Oct. 23-24. Regular season opens Oct. 30, 2021 – Jan. 31, 2022.
“Each fall, the youth season provides a great opportunity to get young family members and friends out hunting in a more controlled environment,” said John Laux, upland game program manager for the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission.
Resident youth (age 15 or younger) do not need a permit to hunt small game, but nonresident youth must have a hunt permit and habitat stamp. Only youth are allowed to hunt during the youth season, except at designated Special Youth Hunt locations where accompanying adults are also allowed to hunt.
Game and Parks will release rooster pheasants at the following Special Youth Hunt locations/ wildlife management areas (with county):
Arrowhead (Gage), Kirkpatrick Basin North (York), Cornhusker (Hall), George Syas (Nance), Wilkinson (Platte), Oak Valley (Madison), Powder Creek (Dixon), Randall W. Schilling (Cass), Rakes Creek (Cass), Peru Bottoms (Nemaha), Twin Oaks (Johnson), Hickory Ridge (Johnson), Yankee Hill (Lancaster), Branched Oak (Lancaster), Sherman Reservoir (Sherman), Pressey (Custer), Arnold Trupp (Morrill), Bordeaux (Dawes), and N-CORPE east tract (Lincoln).
At Special Youth Hunt locations, the daily bag limit is two rooster pheasants for youth and one rooster pheasant for the accompanying adult. The accompanying adult must be a licensed hunter age 19 or older and only one adult per youth will be allowed to hunt. Non-toxic shot is required at Kirkpatrick Basin North, Peru Bottoms, Randall W. Schilling and Wilkinson, but otherwise all other hunting regulations apply.
For more information about the youth season and a map of the Special Youth Hunt locations, visit OutdoorNebraska.gov/Upland (under “Youth Hunts” tab), or contact Game and Parks at 402-471-0641.
Those who participate are encouraged to submit a photo of their hunt to the Game and Parks’ Take ’em Hunting Challenge. In its third year, the challenge motivates hunters to introduce someone new to hunting as recruiting new hunters is vital to maintaining our strong hunting traditions in Nebraska.
Learn more about Take ’em Hunting at OutdoorNebraska.gov/takeemhunting.
REGULAR SEASON PHEASANT, QUAIL & PARTRIDGE
The Nebraska Statewide 2021 Upland bird hunting for Pheasant, quail, and partridge will open, with easy access to public land and lengthy hunting seasons, Oct. 30, 2021 – Jan. 31, 2022.
The first thing to do is to make sure you’ve got a hunting permit; they’re an easy buy online. We also offer mobile permits for those who are in the field or on the go.
Looking for a place to hunt? Consult the Public Access Atlas, which displays more than 1.2 million acres of publicly accessible lands. For insight on hunting conditions and what to expect, check out the 2021-22 Upland Game Bird Hunting Outlook.
These new seasons are also a chance to add to, or complete, your Nebraska Upland Slam! Successful hunters will receive an official certificate and pin. If you finish the Slam during the 2021-2022 season, you’ll also be registered to win one of several great prizes donated by Pheasants Forever/Quail Forever.
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