Desert Quail

[birdblastinboaz]

I was thinking of taking a trip this fall down south to go after a few different species of quail. Bo and I are 3 species away from completing the quail slam. The research that i have gathered so far says the best places to find these last 3 species are either New Mexico or Arizona. Have any of you guys ever hunted Scaled, Mearns' and Gambles quail? Obviously not looking for honey holes but I cant seem to make up my mind between the two places. Anyone ever go after these desert birds?   

[AspenBud]

I know of a pointing dog trainer who used to take dogs for winter training somewhere around Sonoita, AZ. He used liberated birds AND would run the dogs on mearns, gambles, and scaled quail when he thought they were ready for wild bird exposure.

[AWS]

With the draught down there the quail numbers are way down.

[birdblastinboaz]

Good point about the drought. It sounds like a record breaking one also. Thanks.

[merkelman]

The greater Wilcox area of Arizona has all three species. Best to seek out a good guide for the first time unless you have lots of time. I hunt the enterprise canal area south of buckeye for gambles, but have not been there since I left CALI. It always had plenty of gambles and rattlers. Rattlers were harmless!   The AZG AND F for the Wilcox area will be helpful. Good luck!  Long drive!

[boneaddict]

I'd love to hear about your mountain quail harvest.  I love that bird.

[merkelman]

I'd love to hear about your mountain quail harvest.  I love that bird.

were you pointing this response toward me!

[birdblastinboaz]

I'd love to hear about your mountain quail harvest.  I love that bird.

I hunted them locally here on the west side. Did a lot of research and scouting. I started with talking to a Mason County fish and wildlife biologist. It was actually a really great help talking with him and one of the best experiences dealing with a Wa F&W officer I have ever had. Scouted a bunch last summer and when season rolled around the birds seemed to disappear and my dog got hurt. Finally on the last week of season Bo  and I got into 3 different coveys of Mt Quail. Its so thick in that country I missed a bird on the first covey Bo pointed. I was ready to throw in the towel but Bo locked up on point about halfway back to the truck. I was able to redeem myself on the second covey, though I Don't know how I even hit the bird since it seemed like all I saw was a patch of scotch broom get shredded. They are one of the coolest birds I have hunted and given the type of cover and location its super fun to see them come blasting out of the bush. A bunch of locals up there didn't even know these birds existed. Im planning on making it an annual hunt but prol wont take more then a few birds for the whole season as the numbers are not as high as i would like to see in the area I find them. In my opinion their the coolest Quail in N. America, but I still have a few to meet.

[Birdguy]

I'd love to hear about your mountain quail harvest.  I love that bird.

I hunted them locally here on the west side. Did a lot of research and scouting. I started with talking to a Mason County fish and wildlife biologist. It was actually a really great help talking with him and one of the best experiences dealing with a Wa F&W officer I have ever had. Scouted a bunch last summer and when season rolled around the birds seemed to disappear and my dog got hurt. Finally on the last week of season Bo  and I got into 3 different coveys of Mt Quail. Its so thick in that country I missed a bird on the first covey Bo pointed. I was ready to throw in the towel but Bo locked up on point about halfway back to the truck. I was able to redeem myself on the second covey, though I Don't know how I even hit the bird since it seemed like all I saw was a patch of scotch broom get shredded. They are one of the coolest birds I have hunted and given the type of cover and location its super fun to see them come blasting out of the bush. A bunch of locals up there didn't even know these birds existed. Im planning on making it an annual hunt but prol wont take more then a few birds for the whole season as the numbers are not as high as i would like to see in the area I find them. In my opinion their the coolest Quail in N. America, but I still have a few to meet.

Glad you were able to get into them. I figurethe only ones I will ever see again on a regular basis are in my pens. Too bad as we used to have them all around when I was a kid ( and I am not that old most days). They are a neat bird with awesome calls and body posturing. I have raised all but the mearns and I still like the mountains the best. Perhaps someday our game dept will do something to help them but almost all ground nesting birds are declining in our area, predators are my vote as habitat is fine maybe better than it used to be. Congrats on the mountain and good luck on the rest  .

[birdblastinboaz]

I'd love to hear about your mountain quail harvest.  I love that bird.

I hunted them locally here on the west side. Did a lot of research and scouting. I started with talking to a Mason County fish and wildlife biologist. It was actually a really great help talking with him and one of the best experiences dealing with a Wa F&W officer I have ever had. Scouted a bunch last summer and when season rolled around the birds seemed to disappear and my dog got hurt. Finally on the last week of season Bo  and I got into 3 different coveys of Mt Quail. Its so thick in that country I missed a bird on the first covey Bo pointed. I was ready to throw in the towel but Bo locked up on point about halfway back to the truck. I was able to redeem myself on the second covey, though I Don't know how I even hit the bird since it seemed like all I saw was a patch of scotch broom get shredded. They are one of the coolest birds I have hunted and given the type of cover and location its super fun to see them come blasting out of the bush. A bunch of locals up there didn't even know these birds existed. Im planning on making it an annual hunt but prol wont take more then a few birds for the whole season as the numbers are not as high as i would like to see in the area I find them. In my opinion their the coolest Quail in N. America, but I still have a few to meet.

Glad you were able to get into them. I figurethe only ones I will ever see again on a regular basis are in my pens. Too bad as we used to have them all around when I was a kid ( and I am not that old most days). They are a neat bird with awesome calls and body posturing. I have raised all but the mearns and I still like the mountains the best. Perhaps someday our game dept will do something to help them but almost all ground nesting birds are declining in our area, predators are my vote as habitat is fine maybe better than it used to be. Congrats on the mountain and good luck on the rest  .

I wanted to talk with WDFW about releasing some down around my area and i would pay for a few expenses but I don't think they would even care to or maybe protocol says they cant. Then I looked into buying some from breeders but prices are very high just for a breeding pair! I am working on a quail run this summer and I hope to try my luck at raising a few. We have valley quail in certain areas around here but even they are so erratic in numbers each year. Its hard for a responsible bird hunter to take more then a few when numbers are that small. I agree predators seem to be so many now a days. Maybe its a lack of trappers or bad predator management I am not sure, just guesses.

[Birdguy]

WDFW is not in support of any release as far as I know (wolves are a grey area  ). When I was licensed it was tough enough to get to the point the pheasant, chukar and other quail were OK to train with as they "may" get away. If you are serious about raising mountain quail PM me and you can come look at my set up and I will gladly share what I can with you. Yes breeders are expensive (last I checked about $150.00 a pair) and the learning curve with mountains is also steep and spendy so let me help you with that even if you just raise a few for you pen. I helped a guy in Idaho for a few years and he was able to release 100+ in a couple areas the biologist and he selected  . Idaho fish and game even did all the testing they required on their dime prior to release.

  Remember with bird pens bigger is better always and thing predator proof in every aspect during planning and building. I wish you the best of luck.

[metlhead]

It has been 20+ years now since I moved, but the hunting for scalies and mearns was really good east of Sierra Vista, AZ. The San Pedro river provided many miles of public access. I never saw another person, and the late season doves were a bonus.