Billinsd

I've been hunting out of the wind as much as possible. I did run across some coveys today.

It's been winder than I like and supposed to be showers tonight. How's everyone doing?

I haven't heard many reports, however, what I have heard is the birds are more spread out and slightly fewer than last year. Also, the scenting conditions were poor early in the season. This year should have been better with the rains. I'm planning on getting out there a couple long weekends. What all have you heard, seen? Merry Christmas Bill

Thanks, I like to go around Sonoita. I know that the timing of the rains are different for the Mearns than other quail as far as survival and having surviving chicks.

How are the Mearns Quail looking? Did you get the late summer rains? What are the prospects of this season? Thanks! Bill

7mm bullets are more aerodynamic than 30 caliber bullets. Bill

Thanks for the reply. They do seem like stand up people. And their reputation preceeds them. I was kinda hoping someone would say that is what the magazine in the stock should look like or not. It seems like that "L" bracket should be more centered over the hole" Thanks Bill

I bought a Stevens 7mm Rem mag about a couple years ago. It had the old trigger and the new center feed, in the stock, blind magazine I sent the barreled action to Sharpshootersupply in Ohio to tune the receiever and do some other stuff. Then I sent the barreled action to McMillan to get a stock in "EDGE" technolgy including a custom bedding job and installation. I got the whole thing back and rear receiver screw is not tightend down like like the front receiver and trigger guard screws. So, I tighten the rear receiver screw by the trigger guard and the trigger now binds........hmmm I send the whole gun back in and it comes back and the screws are all tight now and the trigger does not bind. HOWEVER, when I took the receiver out the blind magazine comes flying out of the stock like a "jack in the box" and the pieces go flying all over the floor. I took a look and tried to fit the pieces back in the space in the stock for the blimd magazine and it is loose as a goose. Bummer I called back today and they will look at it again. The customer service is EXCELLENT and are appologetic and have paid for shipping the gun back second day air!!! The people on the phone seem to be in disbelief that their gunsmiths could have missed such seemingly basic details. What all do you have that have experience with McMillan and with the new center feed blind magazines? I'll attach some photos to another post. Thanks Bill

Thanks, I only saw a few hunters on the second weekend of January. Where I hunted I did not really see more people than last year at the same time. In California, the "bird" seasons ended on the 3rd week of Jan, so i figured a lot of guys would come over to AZ to extend their season? Thanks Bill

Great story thanks for sharing. Did you guys notice much bigger crowds on the last couple weekends of the season? I'm wondering if lots of non residents come in late January and early Feb, because the hunting is closed in their home states? Bill

Very nice, thanks for sharing. I'm headed that way tomorrow after dropping my daughter off at PreK. I'll be there until Saturday. Looks like good weather ahead Bill

Thanks. All that land off the highways is private property there. I know that it used to be most of the private property owners did not seem to mind giving access to the public land, but that has changed. I'll just drive in through Gardener. Thanks again Bill

I'm headed back to Sonoita for a few days next week with a friend and my two dogs. We had a great time last year about the same time hunting Mearns. Last year off the 82, access to Fort and Hog Canyons was blocked by home owners and there were no trespassing signs. So, we drove up around to the 83 and came in through Gardner Canyon. I was wondering if I could drive in off of the 83 onto Santa Rita Road and drive it all the way in to Hog Canyon, or is the access blocked? I know it goes through private property. Also, is Adobe Canyon Road off of the 82 accessable or is it blocked also since it is private property. If both Adobe and Santa Rita are blocked, I'll just have to come in through Gardner Valley. Thanks in advance, and Happy New Year!!! Bill

I've got some conflicting information, one says the Mearns roost on top of the canyons and the other on the bottoms? Where have you guys usually found Mearns first thing in the morning when they are still roosting, or shortly thereafter? Thanks Bill

I guestimate 1,360 Bill

Thanks guys, I appreciate it. Bill

Scott, that is VERY cool!!! I went out last year for a few days, in January. My pup pointed a couple birds, but she was mostly running too hard and too fast. what suggestions would you have to teach a pointing dog to hunt Mearns? Also, are there any hotels close to the good hunting, I hunted near Sonita last year, that would be fun for my wife, 5 year daughter, and 3 month old son? I'd really like to get out there this year, but with my newborn, it's a hard sell to the wife. I'll have to try and see if I can invite my sister in law who is visiting in Utah to come down to San Diego for the holidays, and maybe I could break free for a couple days!!!! The quail hunting in San Diego to me is awful, or else I'm a better hunter when I'm in Arizona!!!! Bill

30-06 SPRG 150 GR SST LIGHT MAG works well in my 30-06, shot a sub inch group at 100 yards and 7 inches at 600 yards. I shot my desert bighorn at 400 yards with this bullet last December. It's ballistics are similar to a 300 win mag. https://www.hornady.com/shop/?ps_session=5a...dbb152612e888c8 2910 initial fps!!!!! https://www.hornady.com/shop/?page=ballisti...roduct_sku=8109 Same sst bullet out of a Hornady 300 Win Mag is 3,270 initial fps https://www.hornady.com/shop/?page=ballisti...oduct_sku=82014 That is an 11% difference in initial velocity between the two, and the Light Mag did not kick the heck out of me either!!! Then I went and bought a 7mm Rem mag, since the 7mm bullets are much better ballistically than the 30 cal, because they are longer and skinnier. Bill

Hi do you still have this for sale? Thanks Bill

I have the 15x56 Swarovskis and the front covers stay on pretty good. However, the rear piece that fits over the part you see through, the eyepiece, does not stay on well. I went and got some breaded fishing string and tied the eyepiece cover to the rear of the bino, so I will not loose it in the field. Anyway the eyecup piece does not stay on well and I found using a big rubber band keeps them on the best. What do you all do? Thanks Bill

Thanks everyone. You know I thought I saw somewhere on the site, maybe it was another, doh!!! Someone had used a strip of leather with a eyelet in each end and then another one and had them together with his carrying strap. I cannot seem to find it, I wonder how I could easily make something like that or buy something like that? Bill

Thanks, I did get some rubber feet. Thanks for the replys. Bill

I need to replace my rubber feet for my Bogen 3205S tripod. I had taken the last extension pieces out and stretched out the rubber feet and now that I put the extension back in the rubber feet will not fit. Where could I get something like this? The rubber feet would need to slip over the ends of the tripod legs? thanks Bill

Amanda, thanks, I appreciate the help. Bill

Yes, I can. I just did not want to take the scope rings off. Not a big deal though. I can do that and then see if the the side of the action is the same as the top of the scope base and if it is, then in the future I can just use the side of the action. Thanks Bill