2018 - 2019 Arizona Quail Reports
Host: Bob Corley
Gambel's and Scaled Oct. 19, 2018 - Feb. 10, 2019
Mearns' Dec. 7, 2018 - Feb. 10, 2019
Gambel's and Scaled Oct. 19, 2018 - Feb. 10, 2019
Mearns' Dec. 7, 2018 - Feb. 10, 2019
Quote from Gene Hill:
"Soak it up, go into it softly and thoughtfully, with love and understanding, for another year must pass before you can come this way again."
"Soak it up, go into it softly and thoughtfully, with love and understanding, for another year must pass before you can come this way again."
Feb. 21, 2018 The jet stream has dipped down to bring low fronts across the state. Now chances of rain predicted every week or so. According to AGF, Feb. and March rains COUNT. Just how much and to what effect it will have on a possible Gambel's hatch, we shall see as spring approaches. With our Feb. rains, we are in for a green-up as soon as the temperatures rise. Finally, we may have winter. Nov - Dec - Jan it was just too warm and dry to be called winter -- even for Arizona.
Thanks to a note from Brian M.: Link to AGF online map with free access to lat and long of AGF Wildlife Waters: https://azaccessmap.com/map.html I could find only one AGF guzzler anywhere close to Globe. Maybe that's why I'm so unaware of the 900 "new" developments since 1946? |
March/April, 2018
Mar. 18, 2018 A Pacific low front dropped 0.25" in my Globe rain gauge. Too little, too late?
Mar. 26, 2018 A desert green-up in progress, but will dry up quickly as we enter April & May without follow-up storms. April 2, 2018 Have heard an occasional male mating caw call. But only a couple. We are entering out traditional "dry" period from now until the start of July monsoons. Have observed a green-up but afraid it won't last long. Hope of a decent Gambel's hatch is looking tough. Escape cover for youngsters is minimal. Chicks need escape cover and insects for their diet especially for the first few weeks. The survivability of our little warm blooded dinosaurs always surprises and amazes. They seem to find a way. But our continued extended drought in the southwest should concern us all. A favorite quote from last season: Charles Peterson, Gunnison, Colorado: "The difference between an average bird dog and a great bird dog is about 1,000 wild birds." Left: Hedgehog cactus in bloom April 23. During drought conditions I've seen our desert birds hollow out the core of these succulents for their moisture requirements. April rainfall total = 0.00" |
May, 2018
Arizona 2018-2019 Hunt Regulations.
May 5, 2018 Gambel's reports from around the state are similar: Hearing male caw calls, seeing some birds paired up, but no hatchling sightings (or very rare). Our May 2 sprinkle did nothing more than settle the dust/allergens and make the desert smell great. Any moisture in Ariz is welcome, but this was nothing more than a teaser. Here's a neat quote from my friend, Dan Priest of AzQuail Today: "If there's one thing I've learned in the world of quail it would be this. . . . those little buggers are sure unpredictable."
May 5, 2018 Gambel's reports from around the state are similar: Hearing male caw calls, seeing some birds paired up, but no hatchling sightings (or very rare). Our May 2 sprinkle did nothing more than settle the dust/allergens and make the desert smell great. Any moisture in Ariz is welcome, but this was nothing more than a teaser. Here's a neat quote from my friend, Dan Priest of AzQuail Today: "If there's one thing I've learned in the world of quail it would be this. . . . those little buggers are sure unpredictable."
Summer, 2018
June 1, 2018 I am historically optimistic to a fault about our bird populations. In April & May I heard male caw calls and observed pairings. I have seen no clutches or even isolated chicks as of this date. In fact, the Gambel's now seem to be re-coveyed or un-paired. Our exceptional drought within a drought is causing extreme, unnatural behaviors. If we did see chicks at this point, survival would be tough.
This will be a tough season to get "new" hunters (and new dogs!) interested in Arizona bird hunting. Young folks may lose interest quickly. We ol' timers will be out following our bird dogs and hiking those hills -- but we may shoot rarely. And voluntarily limiting our Gambel's limit will become even more important. I have not seen a winter and spring like this in decades -- perhaps in my lifetime. Our little warm blooded hold-over winged dinosaurs may surprise us. Sure hope so! |
July 27, 2018 I have observed very, very few young of the year. Even town birds. However, our desert birds continually surprise me. Resilient, unbelievably hardy, survivors. I am an optimist at heart, but just have never seen a winter-spring drought like we have just experienced.
Aug. 12, 2018
If you have a new, young, just-starting hunter it would be advisable to take them dove shooting -- a lot. Even the late winter dove shoot. For the Britts and me it's a chance to swing the little 20 ga. and give the Britts a few retrieves. A warmup for the upland season.
Aug. 15, 2018 A slow 0.25" yesterday evening. Hurricane Bud left us 0.9" in June and the monsoons to date have been good, 7.65". Interestingly, two different reports from separate areas around the state had a few Gambel's chicks on the ground as late as a week ago. AGF says these "late" nests have minimal effect on overall bird populations. The issue in this case may be the low numbers of carry-over breeders from last season. A typical Mearn's report from last season (after the opening weekend) showed lots of miles with very few birds moved. (Which some attributed to poor scenting conditions.) Still, good Mearn's hunters with good dogs were disappointed in 2017-2018 for the most part.
If you have a new, young, just-starting hunter it would be advisable to take them dove shooting -- a lot. Even the late winter dove shoot. For the Britts and me it's a chance to swing the little 20 ga. and give the Britts a few retrieves. A warmup for the upland season.
Aug. 15, 2018 A slow 0.25" yesterday evening. Hurricane Bud left us 0.9" in June and the monsoons to date have been good, 7.65". Interestingly, two different reports from separate areas around the state had a few Gambel's chicks on the ground as late as a week ago. AGF says these "late" nests have minimal effect on overall bird populations. The issue in this case may be the low numbers of carry-over breeders from last season. A typical Mearn's report from last season (after the opening weekend) showed lots of miles with very few birds moved. (Which some attributed to poor scenting conditions.) Still, good Mearn's hunters with good dogs were disappointed in 2017-2018 for the most part.
Nothing is so disheartening than to travel down an old back road you have used for decades just to find a small portion of it that passes through private lands locked. Hats off to SAQF for their efforts and work with all the public agencies and ranchers to keep public lands open and usable for us all! And I completely see the rancher's side of this -- If I had a metal water tank shot up or a windmill vandalized or a fence cut, I'd want to lock the gates too. Just to keep out the jerks or inebriated idiots (and let's not call them hunters!) who can give us all a bad name.
Southern Arizona Quail Forever Update
Aug. 27, 2018 The monsoons have been good in many areas across the state. 8.75" in my rain gauge since July 1. Our Pinal Creek has flowed at least 4 separate occasions. Most dirt tanks now hold water. And there is a general green-up -- see poppy photo.
Southern Arizona Quail Forever Update
Aug. 27, 2018 The monsoons have been good in many areas across the state. 8.75" in my rain gauge since July 1. Our Pinal Creek has flowed at least 4 separate occasions. Most dirt tanks now hold water. And there is a general green-up -- see poppy photo.
September, 2018
Click on any photo to enlarge.
Sept. 3, 2018 Rain gauge with 1.60" for the first three days of Sept.!! Late, but still . . . bring it on. Click any photo to enlarge.
Possibility of El Nino in the Northern Hemisphere during winter 2018-2019 is rated at 50%. This would bode well for our coming 2018-19 winter rains if, in fact, El Nino develops.
http://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/analysis_monitoring/lanina/enso_evolution-status-fcsts-web.pd
Possibility of El Nino in the Northern Hemisphere during winter 2018-2019 is rated at 50%. This would bode well for our coming 2018-19 winter rains if, in fact, El Nino develops.
http://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/analysis_monitoring/lanina/enso_evolution-status-fcsts-web.pd
From my 2017 - 2018 rain gauge:
Oct. 0.0" Nov. 0.0" Dec. 0.30" Jan. 0.95" Feb. 2.50" Mar. 0.40" Apr 0.0" May 0.25" June 0.90" July 4.20 " Aug. 4.55" Sept. 2.55"
Oct. 0.0" Nov. 0.0" Dec. 0.30" Jan. 0.95" Feb. 2.50" Mar. 0.40" Apr 0.0" May 0.25" June 0.90" July 4.20 " Aug. 4.55" Sept. 2.55"
Sept. 17, 2018 Quote from Randy Babb in Hunting Arizona's Small Game: "In years with poor breeding conditions, Gambel's quail may postpone nesting or prolong the nesting season, resulting in birds nesting throughout the summer. Gambel's quail nesting late in the season, June through September, is a bad sign and bodes poorly for the numbers of birds the following winter." It seems the lack of 2017-2018 Oct-Mar winter rains have left Gambel's in Arizona in that predicament. Sept. 23, 2018 Watched a Field & Stream YouTube video featuring Phil Bourjaily discussing wingshooting lead. I've never related to someone who said they led that bird by " 2 feet. . . or 4 feet. . . . or 8 feet." It just happens too fast. It's too much instinctual. |
So much depends upon distance, angle, speed, et. al. Phil describes how much he leads a bird that makes way more sense to me: Lead the bird by "A Little. . .More. . . . or a Lot." Had to smile. Very unscientific it seems. But everything depends on focusing on the bird and letting your body, muscle memory & instincts take over.
October, 2018
Oct. 10, 2018 A quote from Thomas McGuane in QF/PF Upland Super Issue: He was speaking of the author Ben O. Williams' dogs and the birds he loves to hunt: "I can say that they have trained his attention on the country, on the natural world, on the well-being of wildlife. They have made him a selective shot who takes but a few birds for the edification of his dogs and the glory of his table."
Well said. I can echo that emotion, sentiment, and conclusion. A few birds for the edification of his dogs and the glory of his table.
Ah yes. Enjoy the moment. It's all about being there! I love the fall.
Well said. I can echo that emotion, sentiment, and conclusion. A few birds for the edification of his dogs and the glory of his table.
Ah yes. Enjoy the moment. It's all about being there! I love the fall.
Reminder:
Quail hunters are reminded that ARS 17-309 requires wildlife in possession be identifiable as to species. Commission Rule R12-4305 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.
Oct. 16, 2018 Oct rain gauge total to date: 6.10" Hard to believe? Oct has traditionally been one of our drier months.
AGF Small Game Outlook 2018-2019 by Wade Zarlingo & Jonathon O'Dell
Oct. 17, 2018 Quail Outlook: A Tough Season Ahead
Oct. 19-21, 2018 Opening Weekend: A remarkable desert green-up is underway. Almost looks like March out there -- after good months of winter rain. Newly sprouted grass annuals and the exotic filaree. Ocotillo and false mesquite (fairy dusters) with vibrant green young leaves. Grasshoppers in abundance. Water in many drainages & puddles. Click any photo to enlarge.
AGF Small Game Outlook 2018-2019 by Wade Zarlingo & Jonathon O'Dell
Oct. 17, 2018 Quail Outlook: A Tough Season Ahead
Oct. 19-21, 2018 Opening Weekend: A remarkable desert green-up is underway. Almost looks like March out there -- after good months of winter rain. Newly sprouted grass annuals and the exotic filaree. Ocotillo and false mesquite (fairy dusters) with vibrant green young leaves. Grasshoppers in abundance. Water in many drainages & puddles. Click any photo to enlarge.
Oct. 19-21, 2018 First hikes of the year:
The cover and habitat looks wonderful. Our Sept/Oct rains have allowed birds to disperse. They are quiet and hunkered down surviving. If the dogs don't smell them or you miss them by a few yards, they will not move. Too bad there are so few birds and other critters to enjoy the remarkable green-up. Saw no cottontails. The Britts & I will still be exploring, looking for pockets with good bird populations.
The cover and habitat looks wonderful. Our Sept/Oct rains have allowed birds to disperse. They are quiet and hunkered down surviving. If the dogs don't smell them or you miss them by a few yards, they will not move. Too bad there are so few birds and other critters to enjoy the remarkable green-up. Saw no cottontails. The Britts & I will still be exploring, looking for pockets with good bird populations.
June 2018 - Oct 2018 = 18.7" precipitation. (Including two Pacific tropical storms.)
November, 2018
Nov. 9, 2018 Some observations: I have yet to take a bird-of-the-year. That is to say, my percentage of birds of the year is zero%!! We know it's a good year when that percentage is around 75-80%. Second, the birds are entering the winter with a great variety in their diets. Green annuals (especially filaree), plenty of seeds, beetles & other insects. See photo below. I've harvested a few birds if and when coveys are large enough. And this season, maybe above all others, it will be important to not hunt those coveys again and leave them for 2018-2019 carry-over birds. IMHO.
The deserts look great as we enter the winter -- and with a chance of an El Nino still rated at about 50%. Bring it on. Bring it on.
The deserts look great as we enter the winter -- and with a chance of an El Nino still rated at about 50%. Bring it on. Bring it on.
Nov. 16, 2018 Took my first bird of the year. Britts & I hiked 2 miles from the truck with an elevation gain of 900 ft. before we hit that first covey. Bird was about 2/3 full adult size -- without doubt hatched after our monsoon rains. Found a half mile pocket with birds in drainages coming down off a mountain. Almost guaranteed they won't be pressured again this season. I won't be back. And seriously doubt others will make the effort to hike there. But will be a good place to check about a year from now Lord willing and if the knees hold up. I love our little warm-blooded, winged dinosaur survivors! They always and continually amaze and surprise. ". . . shooting just enough, and walking slow, and enjoying the day."
Nov. 19, 2018 What a difference a day makes! Had a good day on the 16th so hiked an area today within 10 miles with similar habitat and terrain. Three big circles totaling 5.5 mi and moved one covey of 5-6 birds. No pockets. And would've missed that small covey completely had the Britts not caught their scent. They were huddled, not moving under one small desert hackberry thicket with good green growth underneath. Interestingly, the hills are steeper, the legs get tired quicker, the rocks are rougher when I'm not seeing birds. A function of less adrenaline you think? Ha. Was a beautiful day to be out. Temps were gorgeous, the dogs hunted with gusto, the desert looked wonderful, but in the interest of full disclosure, I got skunked. It's a tough year. See you in the hills with my Britts. Bob C.
Look for tracks. And if you don't find tracks, move on. Desert bird scat is a good substitute. This was Gambel's not scalie scat. Wrong habitat, and not all together like scalie overnight ground roost sites. If you find this scattered under tall chollas, a desert hackberry or mesquite tree, you've found a Gambel's roost tree.
Nov. 28, 2018 The Britts and I continue to struggle to find desert birds. We're searching for pockets that hold birds. At least half of our circles now are nothing but "armed hikes." We have been invited by the Cortez Lost Hunter Tribe to hunt out of state. It's time to travel.
Nov. 30, 2018 Storm dropped 0.7" rain on the last day of Nov. It's been over a month since our last rain! Snow on the Mogollon Rim in the high country. My friend, Tom Lister, now living in NM, reminded us all of some favorites from Robert Ruark's "The Old Man & The Boy": "Hunting ain't a competition." "Hunting is watching the dog work, and taking it easy, and shooting just enough." Click any photo to enlarge. |
December, 2018
Dec. 7, 2018 0.50" rain
Dec. 11, 2018 Joined the "Lost Hunter Tribe" from Cortez and the Gulf for a scalie hunt in an undisclosed New Mexico location. Ah, the campfire and the stories. (And when was the last time you had fresh fried Oysters from the Gulf for dinner on a quail camp??!!) Had to boot the Britts to deal with sand burrs. Nothing like hiking in sand to give the legs a workout! Interestingly, the birds seemed noticeably "larger" than our scalies in Ariz.? Maybe a different subspecies? More research needed. Click any photo to enlarge.
Dec. 11, 2018 Joined the "Lost Hunter Tribe" from Cortez and the Gulf for a scalie hunt in an undisclosed New Mexico location. Ah, the campfire and the stories. (And when was the last time you had fresh fried Oysters from the Gulf for dinner on a quail camp??!!) Had to boot the Britts to deal with sand burrs. Nothing like hiking in sand to give the legs a workout! Interestingly, the birds seemed noticeably "larger" than our scalies in Ariz.? Maybe a different subspecies? More research needed. Click any photo to enlarge.
Our best morning we moved 8 coveys, but incredible runners! And population was "down" from last year's bumper crop. The Britts hunted well, but was tough to pin down the cotton-tops! The country around camp in this photo looks entirely flat -- it's not -- not where we hunted.! Jim got us back in the boondocks in his Honda 500 SxS. I used the little 2002 Tacoma and it handled the sand hills just fine.
Dec. 18, 2018 First Mearns' camp of the year with my son, Matt, down from Helena as an air attack instructor in Tucson. Four days. Huge hikes. In the steep stuff. Took very few birds, but about 50% were birds of the year. We averaged a small covey of birds about every 2 1/2 hours. On our third day we never saw a bird. You can find birds, but spotty or in pockets based on summer monsoonal rainfall.
WARNING: Spent the night back at a Tucson Marriot, well lighted, fenced parking lot getting ready for Matt's flight back to Helena. Thieves smashed back right window and all three of our shotguns were stolen!! Feeling violated & in shock. Kind of numb. If you're traveling, bring your guns to bed with you?? All the guns in these photos are gone! On a positive note, the Britts were untouched and Matt & I will wake up tomorrow to a new day. Dec. 21, 2018 Winter solstice. I begged for mercy with two old friends in Tonto Basin and Payson (Jimmy Ridge & Tom Strunk who are admitted gun nuts with stellar collections of both 20 and 28 gauges) I am buying a Beretta O/U and a A400 semi-auto from them to replace two of my stolen guns. The "history and the memories" of those old guns cannot be replaced, but at least I am a hunter with a gun now! Many thanks to several of you who offered gifts, loaners and suggestions! The Tucson Police report has serial #'s and descriptions of all the guns, but I'm guessing the chance of me ever getting one of those babies back is close to zero. |
Dec. 28, 2018 Winter storms hitting Arizona this week. Snows predicted down to the 4,000 ft level. Hard freezes. But storms like these are exactly what can keep our desert green going into the late winter. Perhaps this is the predicted El Nino coming our way!
Dec. 29, 2018 By noon the Keen boots were soaked, but the Gortex lining did its magic. Started hiking for Gambel's at 4,700 ft then on up to 5,100 ft in 4" of snow on the level. The desert looks good. Annuals now green and protected under cover of trees and shrubs will now get a needed jolt of moisture with slowly melting snow. The best kind of soaker. From Dave Brown's Arizona Game Birds, ". . . breeding behavior and development of the reproductive organs were dependent on the quantity of green feed produced by winter rains and correlated with the amount of Vitamin A stored in the quails' livers." Optimism for our desert birds!! The desert is entering 2019 in good shape. If you ever get a chance to hunt desert birds in the snow, you'll be more than willing to have soaked boots!
"Hunting is watching the dog work, and taking it easy, and shooting just enough." R. Ruark
Dec. 29, 2018 By noon the Keen boots were soaked, but the Gortex lining did its magic. Started hiking for Gambel's at 4,700 ft then on up to 5,100 ft in 4" of snow on the level. The desert looks good. Annuals now green and protected under cover of trees and shrubs will now get a needed jolt of moisture with slowly melting snow. The best kind of soaker. From Dave Brown's Arizona Game Birds, ". . . breeding behavior and development of the reproductive organs were dependent on the quantity of green feed produced by winter rains and correlated with the amount of Vitamin A stored in the quails' livers." Optimism for our desert birds!! The desert is entering 2019 in good shape. If you ever get a chance to hunt desert birds in the snow, you'll be more than willing to have soaked boots!
"Hunting is watching the dog work, and taking it easy, and shooting just enough." R. Ruark
January, 2019
Jan. 3, 2019 Just read the latest bulletin from Dale Rollins, TX Rolling Plains Quail Research Ranch. He is very concerned about "mesocarnivores", i.e., racoons, foxes, bobcats, skunks, along with birds of prey. He is even advocating active removal via traps this year. He also encourages hunter conservation measures during the late-season -- February. (The TX Rolling Plains Ranch has bobwhites and scalies, but I'm thinking this may be applicable to our desert birds.) "Hunting in the later part of the quail season (Feb.) tends to be more 'additive' than hunting during earlier in the season. Essentially, a hen that has survived until late Feb. has a better chance of making it til breeding season (May) than a hen in November."
Jan. 10, 2019 Returned to some old familiar hills in a different part of the state that my Dad and I hiked back in the late 80's & early 90's.
In two days of hiking never saw a Gambel's quail. The habitat & grass cover looks much better than it did 2-3 years ago. Did bump two pretty good coveys of scalies. Click any image to enlarge.
Jan. 10, 2019 Returned to some old familiar hills in a different part of the state that my Dad and I hiked back in the late 80's & early 90's.
In two days of hiking never saw a Gambel's quail. The habitat & grass cover looks much better than it did 2-3 years ago. Did bump two pretty good coveys of scalies. Click any image to enlarge.
Jan. 23, 2019 Joined Dave Lukens and Josh Jones for a Mearns' camp. The birds were there -- but late season pressured up into steep and thick. Josh's Ellie and Dave's Moose (both Amer. Britts) covered the ground and finally nailed them up high. All the birds down in the "easy walking" flat bottom country have either moved or jump way wild and nervous. Ah, the stories and the camaraderie! I hunt so many days solo I often miss that. . The El Nino winter storms have the High Sonoran looking good as we enter Feb and Mar.!
Jan. 30, 2019 My last few hikes I've noticed that mentally the season is winding down for me. Our Gambel's & scalie populations are at an all-time low and that fact affects the predatory instincts. I'll still be hiking behind the Britts because it'll be 8 months before we get to do that again. A bag of 1 or 2 birds to retrieve and just being in those hills will be a good day. A third Mearns' camp is in the works. Mearns' hunting for me is such a novelty in such a unique habitat! But I realize that I'm a desert bird hunter at heart. "Live life deliberately and not find that when you come to die, you have not really lived." Thoreau. |
February, 2019
Feb. 1, 2019 Sure enjoyed a chance to hike with an ol' friend and his young liver/white Fr. Britt, Nikki. Two things for the journal: "twin barrel salute" and Cold Beer Conversation by George Strait! Tom had many choices, but decided to shoot his Rem 870 28 ga. He knows more about shotguns, loads, chokes, reloads, wing shooting in general, than anyone I know. He has been (and still is) an exceptional competitive trap & skeet shooter for over 40 years, and then carries that skill into the field after wild birds. We bumped 3 very small coveys during 2 hikes -- wild, veteran, smart, mature -- one and all. And the best part -- the few we harvested all had crops stuffed with green annuals! Oh yeah!
What a beautiful day! Walking slow, enjoying the dogs, shooting just enough. The best day of the rest of our lives. "Selective shooters, taking just a few birds for the edification of the dogs and the glory of the table."
Back to the journal: The twin barrel salute -- when that mature bird jumps wide, does the Gambel's zig-zag move, ducks around a tall cactus -- and you shoot twice in frustration and salute as he returns to the gene pool. Sitting on the tailgate at the end of the day after sharing the field with an ol' friend enjoying a cold brew listening to George Strait croon his country wisdom: ". . . . a little time well wasted!" Oh yeah.
What a beautiful day! Walking slow, enjoying the dogs, shooting just enough. The best day of the rest of our lives. "Selective shooters, taking just a few birds for the edification of the dogs and the glory of the table."
Back to the journal: The twin barrel salute -- when that mature bird jumps wide, does the Gambel's zig-zag move, ducks around a tall cactus -- and you shoot twice in frustration and salute as he returns to the gene pool. Sitting on the tailgate at the end of the day after sharing the field with an ol' friend enjoying a cold brew listening to George Strait croon his country wisdom: ". . . . a little time well wasted!" Oh yeah.
Cold beer conversations
Just a couple old boys, a little time well wasted
Trying to figure out life
Trying to figure out girls
Trying to find our place in this crazy old world
A little truth, a little frustration
Cold beer conversation
Just a couple old boys, a little time well wasted
Trying to figure out life
Trying to figure out girls
Trying to find our place in this crazy old world
A little truth, a little frustration
Cold beer conversation
|
Feb. 2, 2019 I wish I could take credit for this quote. And I don't even know who said it, BUT it says it all.
When your dog is on point, "Make haste, slowly." This from first hand experience: Approach from the side (not from behind your dog) so he can see you. And move to the area in front of his nose. If the bird has run -- and both desert birds and Mearns' can and will do just that -- he will re-locate. Look for trees or tall obstructions and position yourself accordingly. DON'T LOOK DOWN. If you actually see the bird launch, you will most likely be behind him. (I've done that, many times and want to kick myself every time.) Bottom line: you and your dog can do everything right and still do a twin barrel salute. So make haste, slowly. |
Feb. 6, 2019 Mearns' camp III. Shared the field and a beautiful camp in an undisclosed eastern Arizona location with a long-time friend, Bill Gilchrist, from Cave Creek. Bill brought along Gwen, his 10 year old setter and Woody, 6 year old tri-color French Britt.
Click any photo to enlarge. We shared some great stories and hiked some good looking bird country. The coveys were few and far between and armed hiking was the norm for several hikes. Still -- the dogs all had bird scent in their noses. We did not find birds in the canyon bottoms. By mid-morning they coveys were moving up-ridge. A gorgeous month to be outdoors in Az. During our 4-day camp my Globe rain gauge got 2.0" !! Oh yeah! |
Just to put the last 8 months in perspective here in central Ariz:
June - Sept (monsoons+ ) = 12.1" Oct - Feb = 16.55" for an 8 month total of = 28.65"
Hope springs eternal -- for a Gambel's and scalie hatch this spring.
June - Sept (monsoons+ ) = 12.1" Oct - Feb = 16.55" for an 8 month total of = 28.65"
Hope springs eternal -- for a Gambel's and scalie hatch this spring.
Some reminders:
To hike the hills, to be on the water, to watch the monsoon storm rush over the mountain with flashing lightning and crashing thunder. To sit under the pine tree and listen to the quiet. To get back to the REAL world. Author, Jim Harrison, said it well: "The danger of civilization, of course, is that you will piss away your life on nonsense."
I have been privileged to explore and see places in Arizona that very, very few have experienced. All because I was pursuing the wily quail and dreaming of the next desert camp. It draws me over the next ridge, into the next wash, looking for the next water hole. The myriad of images comes flooding back and my cup is full to overflowing. I am blessed beyond measure. Bob C., Globe, Az
I have been privileged to explore and see places in Arizona that very, very few have experienced. All because I was pursuing the wily quail and dreaming of the next desert camp. It draws me over the next ridge, into the next wash, looking for the next water hole. The myriad of images comes flooding back and my cup is full to overflowing. I am blessed beyond measure. Bob C., Globe, Az
Quote from Franklin D. Roosevelt's father: Known by all to be a country gentleman: "I am most content when I am in the country hunting, fishing, or riding!"
"Live life deliberately and not find that when you come to die, you have not really lived." Thoreau.
"Strive to live the strenuous life." T. Roosevelt.
"Live life deliberately and not find that when you come to die, you have not really lived." Thoreau.
"Strive to live the strenuous life." T. Roosevelt.
From my 2018 - 2019 rain gauge:
Oct. 6.90" Nov. 0.70" Dec. 0.60" Jan. 2.40" Feb. 5.60" Mar. 1.50" Apr 0.0" May 0.80" June 0.0" July 3.60 " Aug. 1.10" Sept. 1.90"
Oct. 6.90" Nov. 0.70" Dec. 0.60" Jan. 2.40" Feb. 5.60" Mar. 1.50" Apr 0.0" May 0.80" June 0.0" July 3.60 " Aug. 1.10" Sept. 1.90"
Reminder: Rainlog.org https://rainlog.org/map
Can search by Arizona locations and specify date range. Rain Maps>Select Date Range>Get Report> Zoom in on map for specific locations
Can search by Arizona locations and specify date range. Rain Maps>Select Date Range>Get Report> Zoom in on map for specific locations
Ariz Quail Hunting Camp Copyrighted by Bob Corley, Use by permission only.