“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
Several Florida 2021 Hunting Opportunities Available in November
Submitted by: TBC Press
Posted on: 11/06/21
The Backcountry Press
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News # 14612
November is National Gratitude Month and for hunters, there’s a lot to be thankful for. Throughout the month and especially over the Thanksgiving holiday, hunters have many choices about how to celebrate the season of plenty.
Waterfowl Hunting
If your passion is duck hunting, mark your calendar for Nov. 13, which is the FWC’s first of two Youth Waterfowl Hunting Days. The second Youth Hunting Waterfowl Day is Feb. 12, 2022. These opportunities allow youth 15 years old and younger to hunt ducks, light geese, Canada geese, mergansers, coots and common gallinules (moorhens) while supervised by a nonhunting adult.
No license or permit is required of the youth or supervising adult – but only the youth may harvest ducks. During Youth Waterfowl Hunting Days, participants may hunt on private property with landowner permission and on most waterbodies that have public access (public boating landing/launch). Some public waterbodies might be closed or have restrictions, so check with local law enforcement agencies or FWC regional offices prior to hunting on public waterbodies.
The FWC also has youth hunt events at T.M. Goodwin Public Small Game Hunting Area, STA-1W and Guana River – Lake Ponte Vedra PSGHA. These fun, family-oriented events include raffles, free food and great waterfowl hunting. For more information on the Guana River hunt, call 904-825-6877. For more information on the T.M. Goodwin and STA-1W hunts, call 321-726-2862.
To promote participation, starting in 2021-2022 the FWC will no longer require youth waterfowl quota permits for hunts at A-1 FEB, Guana River – Lake Ponte Vedra PSGHA, Ocklawaha Prairie, T.M. Goodwin/Broadmoor Marsh and stormwater treatment areas (STA-1W, STA 2, STA 3/4, STA 5/6). Designated hunts on these areas are open to all interested youth 15 years of age and younger. Find details including hunt dates and more by reviewing specific area regulations brochures, which are available at MyFWC.com/WMAbrochures.
Learn more about youth duck hunting by visiting MyFWC.com/Duck and clicking on “Youth Waterfowl Hunting Days.”
- Duck season: Nov. 20 – 28 (reopens Dec. 11 – Jan. 30).
- Dove season: Second phase runs Nov. 13 – Dec. 5.
- Snipe season runs through Feb. 15.
Deer Hunting
Zone B’s Youth Deer Hunt Weekend falls on Thanksgiving holiday weekend (Nov. 27-28) and is a great opportunity for an adult to take someone who is 15 years old and younger. Don’t know where Zone B is? Visit MyFWC.com/Deer and click on “Deer Management Units (DMUs).”
Youth participating in this hunt are allowed to harvest one antlered or antlerless deer during the weekend and the deer counts toward the youth’s statewide annual bag limit. Youth are allowed to use any legal method of take for deer.
No license or permit is needed for youth hunters or accompanying adults who only supervise. An adult supervising a youth hunter or anyone 16 years of age or older who wants to hunt during this weekend must have a hunting license, deer permit and muzzleloading gun permit unless exempt. In addition, they must use either a muzzleloader, bow or crossbow, and may only take antlered deer that meet the antler point regulations for the deer management unit being hunted.
The FWC hosts four Youth Deer Hunt Weekends each year that coincide with each zone’s muzzleloading gun season. These hunts are not available on WMAs. The FWC has been hosting youth and family deer hunts on WMAs for many years. Learn more by visiting MyFWC.com/Deer and clicking on “Youth Deer Hunt Weekend.”
Small Game Opportunities
Hunting small game is a good entry point for youth hunters and it’s easy for mentors because it doesn’t require a ton of preparation or gear. There are many areas within the FWC’s WMA system where you may take a young person on a hunt for squirrel, rabbit and other small game. Plus, many areas don’t require a quota permit to hunt small game. Visit MyFWC.com/WMAbrochures to use WMA Finder to search for small game hunting opportunities near you.
For hunters who enjoy it all – deer, ducks, quail, dove, snipe and squirrel – November might mean making some tough choices, depending on the dates you plan to hunt. Below is a list of hunting season dates for your November hunting calendar. The following opportunities apply to lands outside of the WMA system.
Zone A - General gun season: Nov. 20 – Jan. 2.
Zone B
- Archery season: Oct. 16 – Nov. 14
- Crossbow season: Oct. 16 – Nov. 19
- Muzzleloading gun season: Nov. 20 – Dec. 3.
For more information see; https://myfwc.com/
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Zone C
- Muzzleloading gun season: Oct. 23 – Nov. 5
- General gun season: Nov. 6 – Jan. 23.
Zone D
- Archery season: Oct. 23 – Nov. 24
- Crossbow season: Oct. 23 – Nov. 24 (Second phase runs Nov. 29 – Dec. 3).
- General gun season: Nov. 25–28 (second phase runs Dec. 11 – Feb. 20).
