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This season was a little tough for us in Arizona; birds were harder to come by. We did get some, and had a great time. I was shown, however, that really understanding the nature of these birds, knowing an area well, knowing how to locate birds through calling, and having a great bird dog, you can still find limits out there; even on the last day of the season.
We had a great trip to Arizona hunting Montezuma quail. Montezuma quail are also known as Mearn’s quail and they are spectacular. The best part about the trip was seeing the huge variety of habitats in Arizona; from the arid Sonoran desert cactus-lands to the higher elevation southern grasslands. Some of the desert plants were really awesome, like this agave pictured below.
The hunting was difficult. We were told by several sources that Arizona had two back to back banner Mearn’s quail years and this year was the best on record. We were told to bring a good book, because you’d have your limit before noon, seven to ten coveys a day, and so on. So were really pumped. The hunting wasn’t as promised. We had to cover a lot of country to find one to three coveys a day. I think the hard hunting made every bird that much sweeter. We all found quail and got some really nice specimens for mounting. We had some really awesome dog work and really nice points.
The scaled quail were a different story all together. Because we struggled finding the Montezuma quail, we didn’t shift over to scalies until the last afternoon. We saw four coveys as we were pulling into our hunting spot. The dogs went crazy with scent, but the little feathered devils just ran circles around us.
One of the really fun parts of the trip was that their late dove season (through January 4th). We were able to shoot several limits of mourning doves, with a few Eurasian collared doves mixed in. Man were they tasty. All told, we had a nice trip, got some trophy birds and saw an awesome diversity of desert country.
Gambel’s Quail Habitat
Mearn’s Quail Habitat
Right now we are down in Patagonia, AZ hunting Mearn’s quail. Mearn’s quail, also known as Montazuma quail are a tight holding, spectacular looking quail. I had a moment to post a quick blog to the website while we were getting the window on the truck fixed. (The whole assembly failed and the window dissapeared into the door. I am now informed it’s a common Ford problem.)
We stopped on the way down from Utah in Mesa, AZ for a great dove shoot. We were hosted by a friend and fellow upland gunner. We had a grand time, but the fun was over all too quick. In less than 30 minutes we all had our limits. Later in the day we marinated the doves in Lowery’s taquila-lime marinade and barbequed them; man were they tasty.
We had been given a few pointers on Mearn’s habitat and some areas to try, which made all the difference. We had to work hard, but I was able to shoot my limit the first day. It is amazing just how tight they hold and how difficult a time the dogs have scenting them. We had some beautiful points. The cock birds are one of the most spectacular game birds I have ever seen.
We are hoping now to find a some scaled quail then finish off with Gamble’s quail. That is if we can get the window fixed. One of the things I have really enjoyed is the beauty of the desert grassland. They are a blend of western Nebraska mixed grass prairie and sonoran desert. The thing I have been dissappointed in is the amount of trash scattered in the desert from people sneaking across the boarder. (We are hunting about 2 miles from Mexico.)
I’ll some photos when we get back.
A couple of weeks ago I had a chance to hunt California Quail with a good friend of mine. IÂ was struck by how beautiful these birds were. I absolutely love hunting quail. I don’t know what it is about them, their whirring wings when they flush, the challenge of the shot or their delicious taste; I love quail.
Due to drought conditions, Northern Arizona and southern Utah have been really poor for Gambles quail this year. However, I have heard that the Mearns Quail numbers in southern Arizona are better than they have been in 20 years. I don’t think I be able to make a trip down there this year, but I can dream.
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