Outdoor Writer

GAME AND FISH NEWS Dec. 1, 2020 Mearns' quail season opens Friday PHOENIX — The wait is over for hunters eager to get out and stomp around the often steep and rocky terrain of southeastern Arizona in search of Mearns’ quail. The season begins Friday, Dec. 4, and runs through Feb. 7, 2021. The season for Gambel’s, scaled and California quail has been underway since Oct. 16 and also closes Feb. 7, 2021. A valid Arizona hunting or combination license is required for all hunters 10 and older. All youth hunters 10 to 17 can purchase a youth combination license for only $5. Those hunters under 10 must be accompanied by an adult who possesses a valid hunting or combination license. Licenses can be purchased online at azgfd.com/license/, or from license dealers statewide. Note: The Arizona Game and Fish Department’s online license purchase system will be unavailable Dec. 4-7 due to a system upgrade. The general bag limit is 15 quail per day in the aggregate, of which no more than eight may be Mearns’ quail. Since the beginning of the season, the general possession limit has been 45 quail in the aggregate, of which no more than 15 Gambel’s, scaled or California quail in the aggregate may be taken in any one day. After Friday’s opening of the Mearns’ season, the 45-quail possession limit may include 24 Mearns’ quail, of which no more than eight may be taken in any one day. Meanwhile, the department is inviting quail hunters in southeastern Arizona to help gather data for quail management purposes. The department has placed five wing barrel stations along popular travel routes, where quail hunters can submit one wing along with brief information like date, harvest location, hunter effort expended. While submitting wings is not mandatory, the information collected from wing barrels provides the best means for the department to index quail reproduction — particularly for Mearns’ quail — harvest rates, and hunter effort and success. For more information about the wing barrels, a photo that shows what a wing barrel looks like, and a map, see page 78 in the “2020-2021 Arizona Hunting Regulations” booklet. For more information about Arizona’s quail species, visit www.azgfd.com/hunting/species/smallgame/quail/.

No, never hunted anything in that area of the state. Only fished Becker Lake near Springerville, and that was a LOT of years ago. 🤣

Quail Hunting In America: Tactics For Finding and Taking Bobwhite, Valley, Gamble, Mountain, Scaled, and Mearns Quail by Season and Habitat (Tactics ... and Taking Bobwhite, Valley, Gambel, Mou) Hardcover – Illustrated, February 1, 1987 This UNREAD, autographed, 285-pg. book was written by a longtime friend from Michigan, Tom Huggler. While researching the book, Tom, an ex-English professor, spent a week at my house. Along with his two English setters, Chaucer & MacBeth, we made several forays afield for all of AZ's quail species. If I recall, a couple of photos of mine, icluding the cover, are in the book. I will consider reasonable offers but no trades. Payment via PayPal (buyer doesn't need an acct; just a CC or checking acct.) or cash only. Can be picked up near 67th Ave. & Camelback in Glendale or shipped at buyer's expense. SOLD The signature reads: "For Tony, with thanks for your friendship and contribution, warmest personal regards - Tom Huggler 1-20-87

SOLD

Even if you don't get into Mearns, you might find some gambels and scalies. The latter are about like gambels.

There are decent areas all around TS. Get a topo map and look for hilly terrain. The foothills around the Dragoons to the north and Mule Mts. to the south have Mearns, and there are areas east and west of town that might be good. Just be aware of private property where applicable. I can't give you any more accurate help because I've never hunted that area. Here's what AGFD says for Unit 30B.... Quail Overview: The quail populations (Gambel and Scaled) in the unit will respond to winter rainfall. Overall, we are below average, however rain occurred throughout the winter/spring and created green-up and the quail may respond. The quail populations suffer from drought and respond favorably to average to above average rainfall. Review past weather conditions in area you are considering for a hunt. See Access Information for details. Pre-season scouting will improve your hunt success. Be sure and have all the pertinent hunt regulations with you before you go hunting. Please pick up spent shot-shells, complaints have been received because livestock have ingested them causing complications and it is littering, a revocable offense. Area: Gambel’s quail can be found in isolated areas in the unit. An area where greater concentrations exist is along the San Pedro River (Call 520-439-6400 or see http://www.blm.gov/az/st/en/prog/blm_special_areas/ncarea/sprnca.html ) Some areas of the river are closed to firearms hunting. The San Pedro River can be accessed near Benson, St. David, HWY 82, Charleston Road, and HWY 92. Other areas of quail concentrations can be found in upper elevations along the mountain drainage’s, and stock tanks. Scaled quail can be found throughout the unit in high desert grassland communities. Larger concentrations of scaled quail tend to be found along the base of the eastern side of the Dragoon Mountains, and in the Cochise, Dragoon, and Sunsites/Pearce area, and along the Mexican Border. The eastern side of the Dragoon Mountains, Cochise, and Sunsites can be accessed from Highway 191 south of I-10. Recently, residential development in the Pearce/Sunsite area has increased, thus eliminating areas to hunt. During good years large populations can be found along the Davis Road, Gleason Road, and the Pearce Road. A popular area for quail hunting is now closed to all access; the Double U Ranch or Telles Ranch has been locked and no longer allows sportsmen’s access. Mearns’ quail are harder to find because of the nature of the quail and because they are found in much smaller concentrations in this unit. They have been found in small pockets in the southwest portion of the Dragoon Mountains, off the Middle-March Road, and in the upper elevations of the Mule Mountains. Denied access in the Mule Mountains makes it extremely difficult to access these areas. The west side of the Dragoon Mountains can be reached by taking Highway 80 south of I-10 at Benson. Continuing down Highway 80 to Middle March Road, which is only a couple of miles north of Tombstone. Turn east on the Middle-March road and drive approximately 10 miles until you reach the Forest Service Boundary. Take Forest Service Road 687 north along the west side of the mountain into the West Stronghold. The east side of the mountain is accessed off the Dragoon Road, Ironwood Road, and Middle-March Road. The Mule Mountains can be accessed off High Lonesome Road and Highway 80. Several canyon roads in the Mules go through private land and are posted and locked, so respect the ranchers’ wishes. Hiking across state land will access the upper parts of the canyons. Pre-season scouting will improve your hunt success. Be sure and have all the pertinent hunt regulations with you before you go hunting. Please pick up spent shot-shells, complaints have been received because livestock have ingested them causing complications and it is littering, a revocable offense.

I bet jalapeno poppers might be pretty good.

You can usually find them on any of the grassy, oak covered hills in the southern part of the state. One time I was after Coues in the Chiricahuas with 3" of snow on the ground. I kicked up a covey that was literally buried in the grass under the snow. When they took off, snow was flying everywhere, and I was cleaning out my drawers. 🤣 Sign to look for is scratchings where they use their long claws to dig tubers and such.

Tom had a great way with words, probably vecause he wasonce an Engish professor. That's whi he baned his two English Setters, chaucer and Macbeth. As for calling, I never heard Mearns make any sounds except when flushing. So don't count on finding them that way.

Here's some stuff from Quail Hunting In America, written in 1987 by my friend Tom Huggler. The photo is one I took of Tom for the book. The cover photo is also one I shot. I have the 1st edition book listed FS in the Classified.

Mearns can be tough hunting without a pup. Unlike gambels which tend to scurry away, Mearns like to hunker down much like bobwhites do and will only bust out if you get real close. There have many times when I came unglued while Coues hunting after nearly stepping on a covey of Mearns before they beat it. I tried to hunt them twice without dogs to no avail. I think I recall killing one bird. Then I went on a hunt with Floyd Preas and his Britany. Big diff. Later, I had my own pup -- a German shorthair, and she was great on both Mearns & gambels.

Man, he'll have a hard time besting that buck in the future. Good job, Houston and nameless son. 🙄

Way to go. The first of anything is always memorable.

Nice work in a tough unit. 👍

Final day to purchase raffle tickets for “A Uniquely Southwest Hunt” ENTER THE RAFFLE Today is the last day to enter a special fall raffle that will give one lucky hunter a unique opportunity to triple his or her hunting pleasure with an all-inclusive guided package. The Arizona Game and Fish Commission awarded the Arizona Big Game Super Raffle (AZBGSR) three additional tags this year, which the nonprofit is promoting as “A Uniquely Southwest Hunt” for bear, mountain lion and javelina. Here’s how it works: Raffle tickets are $25 each. Order online at arizonabiggamesuperraffle.com. The deadline to purchase raffle tickets is 10 p.m., Dec. 1, 2020. The drawing will be conducted Dec. 7, 2020. The winner can hunt all three species for 365 days (Aug. 15, 2021-Aug. 14, 2022). The package also includes seven days of guiding services with an Arizona outfitter, Dieringer Outfitters, as well as meals and lodging. Every dollar raised through the raffle is returned to the Arizona Game and Fish Department and managed by the Arizona Habitat Partnership Committee.

Nice write up. 👍

Hope she gets well. 😢

GAME AND FISH NEWS Nov. 27, 2020 Arizona Game and Fish Department Green Valley Lakes get extra stocking of trout Stockings provide rare opportunity to fish for albino rainbow trout PAYSON, Ariz. — Payson-area anglers and other anglers visiting the area received a pre-Thanksgiving treat on Wednesday. The Arizona Game and Fish Department conducted a supplemental stocking of trout from its Canyon Creek Hatchery into all three lakes in Green Valley Park. Altogether, about 350 pounds of rainbow trout and 350 pounds of albino rainbow trout were stocked. The rainbows average about 11 to 12 inches in length, while many of the albinos are in the 14-inch range. “The albino rainbow trout are being stocked to provide anglers with a rare opportunity to catch an unusual fish,” said Geoffrey Rabinovich, statewide hatchery program manager for AZGFD. “Albino rainbows are easily spotted by predators, so they rarely occur in the wild in Arizona. However, they do grow well in a hatchery environment and are fun for anglers to catch.” The current drought conditions have meant reduced spring water flows at Canyon Creek Hatchery, making it difficult for the hatchery to maintain the quality water flow needed to support the large number of fish in its raceways. To reduce numbers and help ensure fish there have enough water to grow and thrive, the hatchery will provide some trout for the winter stockings of lakes in AZGFD’s Community Fishing Program, which includes Green Valley Lakes. Some trout from the hatchery will be stocked in Phoenix and Tucson Community Fishing Program waters in December. This will not impact the hatchery’s normal spring and summer stockings into state waters, as the money that is normally spent for out-of-state contractors for the Community Fishing Program in winter will now be used to help the hatchery maintain its normal schedule of trout production this summer. Anglers are reminded that the daily bag limit for trout at the Green Valley Lakes is four fish.

I've never hunted them in 36B, but I've seen javelina on almost every deer or Mearns quail hunt I've ever done in that unit . Once while bird hunting, my German shorthair had a bit of a go at a herd in a wash, and when I tried to get her away, I had a piglet run right betwen my feet to get to mama. If the temps are down, glass sunnny hillsides early in the day. There are lots of coatis in 36B, too., and the season is open in Jan.

Disabled Veteran License Information Applicable Arizona Statutes – A.R.S. 17-333(C)(3) Applicable Arizona Rules – R12-4-202 AZGFD Laws and Rules Update: Effective December 5, 2015, the Arizona Game and Fish Department is pleased to announce two exciting changes with the application process for the Disabled Veteran’s Hunt and Fish Combo. The first change no longer requires customers to have a signature notarized on the application form. The second change allows customers to download their VA Benefits Forms directly from the DoD-VA Website. All Arizona Game and Fish Regional Offices have computer access for those that would like to download their benefits forms. An eligible applicant is a disabled veteran who has been a resident of Arizona for at least one year immediately preceding the application. A disabled Veteran’s License is issued to a disabled veteran who is receiving compensation from the United States government for permanent and total service connected disabilities rated at 100% disabling. A VA rating of 100% Individual Un-employability is not authorized to receive this license. Eligibility for the disabled veteran’s license is based on the disability rating, not on the compensation received by the veteran. The Disabled Veteran’s License grants all the privileges of a Hunt/Fish Combination License. How to obtain a Disabled Veteran’s License Visit your local Arizona Game and Fish Department office. Bring a copy of your VA benefits letter, or you may complete the application form below and include a copy of your VA benefits letter that states 100% disabled, permanent and total, and mail them to: Arizona Game and Fish Department, Attn: Front counter, 5000 W. Carefree Highway, Phoenix, AZ 85086. *Note: A paper license will be issued free of charge. A plastic card license may be purchased for $4. Include a check or money order if you are applying by mail. Checklist Process: Complete application form Application: Veteran’s application form Fee: None License Expiration: License is valid for a lifetime from date of issuance. Additional Information: If the Department of Veterans Affairs certifies that the applicant’s disability rate of 100% is permanent and will not be reevaluated, a new certification is not required for renewal. If reevaluated in three years, the disabled veteran’s license will expire three years from the date of issuance. License Application may be processed and the license issued from the Phoenix Office or any Regional Office.

The albino rainbow is pretty cool looking.

Well done!

Do you still have that camera out? If so, maybe the blackie will keep returning to provide injury updates. 😉 Also noticed how several times deer sniffed that one branch. Obviously one of them had left some scent on it.

Super video. You captured most of the critters in that part of the world. 👍 The coati didn't much like the camera, and the lame bear was a repeat customer. Wonder if it had been shot or maybe caught in a trap. It appeared he never even tried to put his paw on the ground.

You are correct. 👍 I just looked again, and the one I posted came frm some Arizona Memory Project site. I'll will correct my reply. Edit: Now updated. Thanks for pointing it out.