2016 - 2017 Arizona Quail Reports
Host: Bob Corley
Gambel's/Scaled: Sept. 30 - Feb. 12
Mearn's: Dec. 2 - Feb. 12
Gambel's/Scaled: Sept. 30 - Feb. 12
Mearn's: Dec. 2 - Feb. 12
May 10, 2016 It's official. First brood of walnuts with wings sighted in Globe. Town birds. But babies none the same. Still hearing "caw" male calls every day. Here's hoping for good survival. The phrase I've used the last few seasons is "cautiously optimistic." Bob C.
Am re-reading one of my favorite dog books: "Bird Dog, The Instinctive Training Method," by Ben O. Williams. Good stuff -- and good reminders.
Am re-reading one of my favorite dog books: "Bird Dog, The Instinctive Training Method," by Ben O. Williams. Good stuff -- and good reminders.
July 6, 2016 For a bird hunter these are the dog days of summer. So. . . . . I re-read Dan Priest's post on hunter ethics yesterday, then got into my favorite passages from Aldo Leopold's, "A Sand County Almanac." Dan's post struggles with when (or even if you should!) take someone else to one of your favorite hunting spots. And the unspoken ethic is that a hunter will never return unless he comes with you or asks permission. To me it is just common courtesy. The ultimate in unethical behavior would be to not only come back, but to bring a bunch of your friends as well.
And in the same vane, this from Leopold on sportsmanship and ethics: "There is value in any experience that exercises those ethical restraints collectively called sportsmanship. Our tools for the pursuit of wildlife improve faster then we do, and sportsmanship is a voluntary limitation in the use of these armaments. "
"A peculiar virtue in wildlife ethics is that the hunter ordinarily has no gallery to applaud or disapprove of his conduct. Whatever his acts, they are dictated by his own conscience, rather than by a mob of onlookers. Voluntary adherence to an ethical code elevates the self-respect of the sportsman, but disregard of the code degenerates and depraves him."
What is to prevent a Mearn's hunter from jumping a covey of 10 birds and shooting them down to zero? What is to prevent a hunter from taking more than a limit? What is there to encourage a code of sportsmanship and self-imposed limitations? What is there to prevent a hunter from returning to a hunting spot with a gaggle of friends to hammer the same coveys over and over? There are no cheerleaders, nor a crowd in the stands watching.
I submit to you that the key word is respect. Respect for the birds we love to hunt. Respect for your fellow sportsmen. Respect for the habitat and the outdoor ethic. Leopold was all about sustainability. And, to me, sustainability stems from respect. I hope and pray that my grandkids and great-grands will get to enjoy these outdoor pursuits that are so near and dear to my heart !
Time to run the dogs, re-load a few shells, handle the 20 gauges just to remember what they feel like, pray for monsoons.
Ah, the dog days of summer. See you in the hills with my Britts. Bob C.
And in the same vane, this from Leopold on sportsmanship and ethics: "There is value in any experience that exercises those ethical restraints collectively called sportsmanship. Our tools for the pursuit of wildlife improve faster then we do, and sportsmanship is a voluntary limitation in the use of these armaments. "
"A peculiar virtue in wildlife ethics is that the hunter ordinarily has no gallery to applaud or disapprove of his conduct. Whatever his acts, they are dictated by his own conscience, rather than by a mob of onlookers. Voluntary adherence to an ethical code elevates the self-respect of the sportsman, but disregard of the code degenerates and depraves him."
What is to prevent a Mearn's hunter from jumping a covey of 10 birds and shooting them down to zero? What is to prevent a hunter from taking more than a limit? What is there to encourage a code of sportsmanship and self-imposed limitations? What is there to prevent a hunter from returning to a hunting spot with a gaggle of friends to hammer the same coveys over and over? There are no cheerleaders, nor a crowd in the stands watching.
I submit to you that the key word is respect. Respect for the birds we love to hunt. Respect for your fellow sportsmen. Respect for the habitat and the outdoor ethic. Leopold was all about sustainability. And, to me, sustainability stems from respect. I hope and pray that my grandkids and great-grands will get to enjoy these outdoor pursuits that are so near and dear to my heart !
Time to run the dogs, re-load a few shells, handle the 20 gauges just to remember what they feel like, pray for monsoons.
Ah, the dog days of summer. See you in the hills with my Britts. Bob C.
Sharing the hills with Dan Priest, Az Quail Today, with his short 22" barrel 20 ga., choked cylinder, 1 oz of size 6 shot, and his setter, Holly. That little girl was very close ranging especially for a setter and beautiful to watch work! Dan posted a valuable read re: hunter sportsmanship and ethics. Click photo for link.
A favorite quote from Robert Ruark's, "The Old Man and the Boy": "When the season opens, every damfool and his brother is out in the woods, blam-blamming around and trampling all over each other. The birds are wild, and the dogs are nervous. The ground is dry, and the birds run instead of holding." Then the part-time quail hunter gets tired of bird shooting. "So he ties up the dogs and forgets hunting until next year. This leaves the woods free of the city slickers and the fashionable shooters."
When the rest of the world stays home to watch the NFL on the glowing screen, the Britts and I will be watching the sunset on top of a good quail ridge. Ah, the best days of the rest of my life. See you in the hills, Bob C.
Sept. 10, 2016 AG&F 2016-2017 Small Game Outlook by Wade Zarlingo & Johnathan O'Dell includes Small Game Hunting Tips by Randall Babb. Check it out.
When the rest of the world stays home to watch the NFL on the glowing screen, the Britts and I will be watching the sunset on top of a good quail ridge. Ah, the best days of the rest of my life. See you in the hills, Bob C.
Sept. 10, 2016 AG&F 2016-2017 Small Game Outlook by Wade Zarlingo & Johnathan O'Dell includes Small Game Hunting Tips by Randall Babb. Check it out.
Oct., 2016
Oct. 9, 2016 My Personal Opener: Using a term coined by my friend Walt, from Wickenburg -- took my first "armed hikes" of the season. Hiked elevations from 3,200 - 4,200 ft. One area at 3,200 ft had prickly pear fruit in abundance and standing water puddles in many draws -- see above photo. Found birds of the year to be ~ 10%, but very few birds overall.
November, 2016
Nov. 10, 2016 Two day tent camp @ 3,400 ft. Some dry hikes but found a few pockets of Gambel's. Found water in the dirt tanks, but overgrazing on these State Trust Lands was much in evidence. I had to get away from the overgrazed areas around water just to find decent cover for the birds. Hence, "pockets." It was extremely frustrating to find a locked gate with a SMALL portion of private land posted. I tried to access with alternate routes to no avail. Effectively locked me out of literally thousands of acres of public land. Sure hope the AGF Public Lands Access program has taken note!! Ah, but the campfire was good, the yotes were in full chorus, and the owls hooted me to sleep! Click to enlarge any photo.
Nov. 12, 2016 Enjoyed a special day with some new Quail Forever friends in the High Sonoran desert. We were hoping for a multiple-species day and our hikes started before the sun crept over the eastern mountains. I mostly hunt solo, but today I tagged along with Tres G., Josh J., Kyle G., and Matt F. -- guys connected with the Valley of the Sun Chpt. of Quail Forever. If you ever get a chance to hike with this bunch, grab it, because these dudes are the real deal. I mean -- a triple, some beautiful dogs, a double reloaded and shot faster than I could even believe, some tough shots stone cold on the ground at 40+ yards, bird calls with a "diaphragm" mouth call, one "un-named" hunter who ran out of shells, and we even managed to squeeze in a two-species day. It is so cool to hike with young guys who have a passion for the Ariz. outdoor and the birds we love to hunt.
Dirt tanks did hold water, but very little -- from our low front that moved through a week or so ago. Temps were nippy in the early morning -- finally. Dogs still needed lots of water as the day warmed. One of the guys with tongue in cheek called our first hike a "death march" and I had to smile. Yes, lots of hiking -- and then the covey that makes your day! Carpe diem, folks, carpe diem. Good health, good dogs, good friends, a beautiful day -- savor those moments -- because as we get older they become even more precious.
Click any photo to enlarge.
Dirt tanks did hold water, but very little -- from our low front that moved through a week or so ago. Temps were nippy in the early morning -- finally. Dogs still needed lots of water as the day warmed. One of the guys with tongue in cheek called our first hike a "death march" and I had to smile. Yes, lots of hiking -- and then the covey that makes your day! Carpe diem, folks, carpe diem. Good health, good dogs, good friends, a beautiful day -- savor those moments -- because as we get older they become even more precious.
Click any photo to enlarge.
Nov. 20, 2016 Dave Brown, VP for our Southern Az QF, is an advocate for size #6 shot for our desert birds. He suggests 1 oz for 16 ga. and 7/8 oz for 20 ga. (He uses sizes 7 1/2 and 7's for Mearn's quail.) I continue to use my 20 ga. reloads of 7/8 oz. size #7 shot @ 1,200 fps because of the same reasoning -- I see fewer crippled birds. I plan to reload some #6's to try on Gambel's early next season as a trial. Especially if you hunt with no dogs, consider his recommendation for larger shot size. Click link to see his discussion/post.
http://www.flyfishingandwingshooting.com/2016/10/16/6-shot/ Nov. 21, 2016 With the approaching Mearn's season, here is a reminder about regulation regarding identification of species. When you have a multi-species hunt with different daily and possession limits, this regulation becomes even more important.
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Quail hunters are reminded that A.R.S. 17-309 requires wildlife in possession be identifiable by species. Commission Rule R12-4-305 states that for a person transporting or possessing quail, that each quail have attached a fully feathered head, or a fully feathered wing, or a leg with foot attached. That reads as an either/or requirement. If you don't want feathers in your birds on ice, the attached foot might be a better option. (Reminder FYI: Mearn's quail have long, sickle-shaped claws used for digging Oxalis bulbs and some of their favorite food sources. Interestingly, these long claws make perching impossible.)
Nov. 23, 2016 We had 1.3" rain on Nov. 4 then again 1.0" Nov. 21. It's been a good start for our winter precipitation. Good green growth is evident and if the birds have good green for their Vit. A during winter months, it kicks in the ovulation cycle in the spring. The general rule of thumb I've always heard from AGF is that 10" or more between Oct. and Mar. will mean a good Gambel's hatch. Bring it on!
Nov. 23, 2016 We had 1.3" rain on Nov. 4 then again 1.0" Nov. 21. It's been a good start for our winter precipitation. Good green growth is evident and if the birds have good green for their Vit. A during winter months, it kicks in the ovulation cycle in the spring. The general rule of thumb I've always heard from AGF is that 10" or more between Oct. and Mar. will mean a good Gambel's hatch. Bring it on!
December, 2016
Dec. 5, 2016 Enjoyed hunting some desert birds and sharing a campfire with the Colorado Lost Hunter Tribe. These guys worked together all over the world as geophysicists and get together every year in their special camp spot. And, man, do they tell some good stories! Their special spot is like the Last Frontier. No lights, no people noises, in fact most trips they never see another human for days at a time. Seafood gumbo from the Gulf, elk steaks, quail deep-fried in peanut oil, carrot cake, homemade lasagna -- did I say these guys like to eat?!! I have enjoyed the campfire, hikes, and stories now for two years as an temporary, probationary member of the Colorado Lost Hunter Tribe, with Jim Krater, Cortez, as chief organizer. Just like our ancestors of old who sat around their fire and retold stories of the day and re-lived hunts of the past. Ah man, does it get any better?! Back to our roots and good for the soul !
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Dec. 12, 2016 Renewed some friendships today with a 6 hour hike after desert birds behind 3 Amer. Britts, 2 French Britts, and 1 GSP. Was way cool to have Summer along. She is taking a H.S. Photography class and we gave her lots of practice! Did not see a lot of birds, but enough to make it interesting and get some good dog work. Averaged about one covey an hour. But best of all no competition with other quail hunters. Most awesome moment of the day was starting our last hike of the day and seeing an eyeful of dogs pointing and backing together. That Lukens Britt blood line has it dialed in!
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Dec. 17, 2016 This might be under the heading of "full disclosure." I will never forget the email I received some years ago from an e-scouter: "We have never been to Ariz before and will be flying out in January. We would like some directions because we do not want to hunt unproductive ground and would like ample shooting opportunities." To this day, I still remember smiling -- no chuckling -- isn't that what we all want?!!! My advice was to check out the AGF "Where To Hunt" info, or hire a guide. Or maybe try Ben Avery Shooting Range for some sporting clays -- all the shooting you could ever want!
So. . . just back from a two-night camp down south. After 6 hours of hiking traditionally good ground for Mearn's behind two good Britts I could not find them. And this in two areas that several years back were good. Maybe the scenting conditions were not the best, maybe they had been already hunted and were pushed way back high on the thick ridge tops, maybe the bunches of cattle I saw in one area grazed off their escape cover? I chalked it up to a scouting trip. Loved the camp, the solitude, and the sunsets. Loved the armed hikes with the Britts and beautiful weather. I found out my firing pin still worked on the last afternoon with two coveys of scalies. In the interest of full disclosure. . . . .
So. . . just back from a two-night camp down south. After 6 hours of hiking traditionally good ground for Mearn's behind two good Britts I could not find them. And this in two areas that several years back were good. Maybe the scenting conditions were not the best, maybe they had been already hunted and were pushed way back high on the thick ridge tops, maybe the bunches of cattle I saw in one area grazed off their escape cover? I chalked it up to a scouting trip. Loved the camp, the solitude, and the sunsets. Loved the armed hikes with the Britts and beautiful weather. I found out my firing pin still worked on the last afternoon with two coveys of scalies. In the interest of full disclosure. . . . .
Dec. 28, 2016 Shared the hills down south after a good snow with two friends, Bill G. from Cave Creek and Cody M., Flagstaff. It was a 3 day camp for me with some armed hiking seeing nothing and some circles with 2-3 coveys even though small, in the 6-10 range. Was neat watching Bill's Fr. Britt, Woody, and Cody's Amer. Britt, Dancer, do their Mearn's magic. Woody had a beeper collar to indicate a point, and Dancer was equipped with a locator collar. They were both definite advantages in the thicker, steeper, rolling Mearn's habitat. My young Fr. Britt, Gunner, was outstanding on a couple of hikes. Proud of that little guy! His blaze orange vest really helps especially in the thick stuff. Click on any photo to enlarge.
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January, 2017
Jan. 4 and 8, 2017 Two hunts with my son, Matthew Olan from Fairbanks! Have had the pleasure of hiking with several new friends this year, but always special to enjoy a wonderful day with my son! After another 0.6" on Jan. 1-2, the ground was soaked. In some places, sloppy. The high Sonoran is ready to burst into green. Young sprouting annuals were evident everywhere. I'm holding my breath. If we get periodic, especially staggered, rains between now and March, we should see a bump in the desert bird population! (Not to be confused with the term "bumper crop!")
P.S. I loaded some size 6 shot as a late-season desert bird trial. One oz. at 1,180 fps. Like it. A lot. Very, very few cripples. Have even extended my "shooting range" some with my standard IC choke tube. Wondered if perhaps I would hit closer birds too "hard", i.e., tear the birds up too much for table fare. Has not been a problem. Certainly recommend you try size 6 shot -- especially if you hunt late-season desert birds with no dog. I will, however, stick with my 7/8 oz size 7 shot for Mearn's quail. Click any photo to enlarge.
P.S. I loaded some size 6 shot as a late-season desert bird trial. One oz. at 1,180 fps. Like it. A lot. Very, very few cripples. Have even extended my "shooting range" some with my standard IC choke tube. Wondered if perhaps I would hit closer birds too "hard", i.e., tear the birds up too much for table fare. Has not been a problem. Certainly recommend you try size 6 shot -- especially if you hunt late-season desert birds with no dog. I will, however, stick with my 7/8 oz size 7 shot for Mearn's quail. Click any photo to enlarge.
Jan. 11, 2017 Seven hour hike with my brother & son for Gambel's. GPS said 11.4 miles. Tired legs, feet, and backs today! But a good tired. My first try at video. Have a lot to learn to make them better. But was great fun to get Bro. Ted on a Belle/Gunner point. Was Ted's first quail hunt in over a year. But the 870 Remington could still speak well. Sunset at the day's end was spectacular. Love the Robert Ruark quote: "I felt God in my soul and I thanked HIM on the mountain, sitting on the peak. I had seen it before, but to an old man it had more power!" Savor the moment! Carpe diem. Carpe diem!
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Jan. 21, 2017 Winter storm dropped another 1.7" last night with good snows in the high country. That brings us to a total of 12.35" since the first of October! More predicted later this week. The lower elevation deserts have a good green-up going. Colder higher elevations, no so green, but saturated ground will bring growth as soon as we get some warmer temps. Tonto Creek in the Tonto Basin and Salt River are in flood stage. And our own Pinal Creek here in front of the house is running big!
February, 2017
Feb. 3, 2017 Son, Matthew's, Last Hurrah before heading to Fairbanks was about 7 hours and 8.5 mi. We typically get about 1/2 mile off of any road, then start hunting. Birds are wild and wise but we had a wonderful day. The winter storms are passing to our north now. High in the p.m. was in mid 60's F. We scattered two coveys especially in good cover, and they made our day. Gunner was outstanding and ol' man Rusty even showed off a bit during his typical one hour hike. (Belle is on the injured reserve -- sprained or twisted swollen left front shoulder.) As is my custom, we never hunt the same coveys twice in one season. So these birds were "new" to us, but this time of year best guess is that somebody has pushed them already this year. They acted like it! Green annual growth is outstanding everywhere we hiked. Took some neat point photos of Gunner/Matt, but this is my favorite. Plenty of birds for "seed" if we get a desert bird hatch.
Feb. 8, 2017 Hiked a 4-5 hour circle and renewed a friendship w/ Dan Priest, Az Quail Today and Q5 Outdoor Products, yesterday. Our Plan A fell through, so we tried a back-up Plan B and enjoyed a beautiful Feb. day. Was super to watch Dan's senior setter, Holly work. Methodical, slow, sure -- they made a team unmatched in my 58 years of Ariz bird hunting experiences. I always learn something new or look at things a different way when I hunt with those two.
I consider myself an average to above average bird shot, but when Holly got birdy, Dan put on a clinic. He might have missed one shot during the day -- but I never saw it! And, folks, these were wild, wise, pressured, late-season desert birds! They "schooled" me on escape tactics several times and I saluted as they returned to the gene pool. He talks in his blog about "limiting your limit." That hunter/dog team could without doubt have taken more birds today, but he chose not to.
It was so cool to be in the hills with someone who appreciates the Arizona outdoors so much and respects the birds we love to hunt! We have both seen it thousands of times: the point, the flush -- but each time is a thrill. I was proud to share the day.
I consider myself an average to above average bird shot, but when Holly got birdy, Dan put on a clinic. He might have missed one shot during the day -- but I never saw it! And, folks, these were wild, wise, pressured, late-season desert birds! They "schooled" me on escape tactics several times and I saluted as they returned to the gene pool. He talks in his blog about "limiting your limit." That hunter/dog team could without doubt have taken more birds today, but he chose not to.
It was so cool to be in the hills with someone who appreciates the Arizona outdoors so much and respects the birds we love to hunt! We have both seen it thousands of times: the point, the flush -- but each time is a thrill. I was proud to share the day.
Feb. 12, 2017 Ended the season on a tent camp with Jim & Will of the Colorado Lost Hunter Tribe a few nights over in Eastern Ariz. Wild, wise birds. In cover and habitat that has taught them that running into the next county assures survival. And they have learned that lesson well. The campfires, the full moon. Ah, a good way to enjoy outdoor Arizona and the end of another season.
Some reflections:
On shooting: I've shot very, very few clay targets in my life (have never lived near a shooting range), but as a young man I remember going on lots of dove shoots with my dad. The more you mount and shoot, the more your shotgun becomes an old friend.
On staying in shape: I can remember my ol' dad walking his 2 miles every day all year then lifting his little dumbells so he could carry his Rem 870 and hike the hills with his boys! We all have to have a motive -- a reason to get moving. When you love hiking behind those beautiful little dogs, it is a huge incentive to work out so you can do the things you love.
On getting older: Next season will be my 59th year of bird hunting. And I learn something new or appreciate something in a different way every day I'm in the hills. My heart swells with emotion just thinking about it. Sitting on the peak, watching the sun set -- I've seen it many times before, but to an old man, it has more power.
On our desert birds: I've seen the flush thousands of times. But every time is a thrill, a challenge, a chance to be the predator with every sense heightened. And when you take one of our desert birds, it is a trophy. In every sense of the word. I've explored and hiked places in Arizona that many -- or most -- will never see. All because I was following the little Britts after the birds we love.
On next year: Another 0.40" in Globe the last two days. Oh yeah. Anticipation. Optimism. Run the dogs. Break out the reloading equipment. Dream of the days afield yet to come. In the interval, the raised bed garden, the bass boat and the fly rod await. See you in the hills with my Britts, Bob C.
Some reflections:
On shooting: I've shot very, very few clay targets in my life (have never lived near a shooting range), but as a young man I remember going on lots of dove shoots with my dad. The more you mount and shoot, the more your shotgun becomes an old friend.
On staying in shape: I can remember my ol' dad walking his 2 miles every day all year then lifting his little dumbells so he could carry his Rem 870 and hike the hills with his boys! We all have to have a motive -- a reason to get moving. When you love hiking behind those beautiful little dogs, it is a huge incentive to work out so you can do the things you love.
On getting older: Next season will be my 59th year of bird hunting. And I learn something new or appreciate something in a different way every day I'm in the hills. My heart swells with emotion just thinking about it. Sitting on the peak, watching the sun set -- I've seen it many times before, but to an old man, it has more power.
On our desert birds: I've seen the flush thousands of times. But every time is a thrill, a challenge, a chance to be the predator with every sense heightened. And when you take one of our desert birds, it is a trophy. In every sense of the word. I've explored and hiked places in Arizona that many -- or most -- will never see. All because I was following the little Britts after the birds we love.
On next year: Another 0.40" in Globe the last two days. Oh yeah. Anticipation. Optimism. Run the dogs. Break out the reloading equipment. Dream of the days afield yet to come. In the interval, the raised bed garden, the bass boat and the fly rod await. See you in the hills with my Britts, Bob C.
From my 2016 - 2017 rain gauge:
Oct. 1.50" Nov. 2.70 Dec. 5.15" Jan. 4.1" Feb. 1.20" Mar. 0.25" Apr 0.10" May 0.25" June 0.0" July 5.20 " Aug. 1.20" Sept. 0.75"
Rainlog.org https://rainlog.org/map
Rain Maps>Select Date Range>Get Report> Zoom in on map for specific locations
Oct. 1.50" Nov. 2.70 Dec. 5.15" Jan. 4.1" Feb. 1.20" Mar. 0.25" Apr 0.10" May 0.25" June 0.0" July 5.20 " Aug. 1.20" Sept. 0.75"
Rainlog.org https://rainlog.org/map
Rain Maps>Select Date Range>Get Report> Zoom in on map for specific locations
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