Mesa quail hunting for Christmas week

[Heartsblood]

  This will be my 2nd year to Mesa Az during X-mas. Can't wait - warm weather and quail hunting, Good times! Hopefully I'll have some pics when I get back. Here's a few from last year - I didn't take any bird pics but, some decent scenery anyweys:

[MR5x5]

How does a person keep from destroying his dog with all that cactus???

[Heartsblood]

I don't have a dog so I only hafta be careful for myself.

But, I know they hunt over dogs in the desert. I think I remember a whole section in the "Wing Shooters Guide to Arizona" that basically dealt with first aid to dogs. It's  doable, just more high maintenance.

Needle nose pliers are a must for both human and canine... 

[Stilly bay]

I hunted around mesa a couple times while visiting a friend.  it turns out that the quail are the only thing in the desert that won't try to hurt or kill you. My dogs looked abused and neglected by the time we were done. sure was a blast though!

[Heartsblood]

  ...it turns out that the quail are the only thing in the desert that won't try to hurt or kill you.

 

[Heartsblood]

I only ended up getting out for one day. I walked around and took pictures and walked around, and walked around some more - from 830am til 1pm. Didn't see a single quail. I stood there on top of a little hill over looking several washes for about 15 minutes, deciding whether to bail, or continue. I decided bail. I took one step and flushed a covey. I only connected on this one tiny Gambels hen. Chased the covey around for another hour at least with two more flushes of single birds - one right under my boots that scared the Bjaysis outta me. Another who put a saguaro cactus between us until he was out of range. It was Great! Hard work for one little bird, but tonnes of fun. And perfect weather - 70's.




Oh yeah. I also saw a tribe of these guys which got me to thinkin' about another kinda trip....

[rasbo]

that looks like fun,

[boneaddict]

COOL