Who is looking forward to Mearns?

[Xman2000]

Now that quail has opened up I can't contain my self wanting to look this November for my favorite bar none those awesome looking clown quail .My son just got his 20 guage for this birth day an broke it in on dove season and now hes ramped up for quail when I get back from turkey this weekend thats what we will be focusing on till November who else is waiting for means season ?Got any pics to share?

 

Heres a pic of my fist mearns they were so beautiful I had to get the pair mounted they rest well you know they were delicious LOL

[tjhunt2]

Very nice mount. I've yet to shoot one of those. Good luck on your turkey hunt.

 

TJ

[azbownunter22]

This is what I'm looking forward to...

[deserthntr]

cant wait! probably wont get out till around christmas. but will take my new pup i am picking up sunday and let him run and have some fun!

[Red Rabbit]

Rica and I are planning on hitting the oak hills with full stomachs of turkey and pumkin pie Thanksgiving weekend. Great bird to hunt. Hopefully the summer rains have produced a good hatch.

 

[Broken Wheels]

Not asking for a honey hole in no way but where could a rookie bird hunter with an anxious dog go hunt these gorgeous birds? Again I am not asking for a honey hole, just tell me a unit or area in a unit that might hold some birds huntable with a dog or without a dog is all. Thank you and I would love to get a pair mounted as you did, they are beautiful!

[Red Rabbit]

I do not know if I would consider hunting Mearns without a pointing dog since they hold very tight and nearly have to step on them to flush. They are very difficult to see in the grass.

I would stay to units 34A, 36B, 35A, 35B and look for oak-lined draws. Hunt the north facing slopes of the draws.

 

From azgfd.gov http://www.azgfd.gov/h_f/hunting_units.shtml

34A

Mearn's quail season should be average to above average for 2010-2011. Summer precipitation started late but is on track for average to slightly above average amounts. Mearn's quail populations are closely related to summer precipitation. Generally, if the monsoons are decent, quail numbers will be good. Most of the Mearn’s quail habitat has received average monsoon rainfall.

All canyon systems on the southeast side of the Santa Rita Mountains from Fish Canyon to Temporal canyon will produce fair hunting. If you want to get away from the majority of the hunters, try the higher elevations and steeper slopes. For a little more solitude try upper Temporal, Squaw Gulch, and the canyons around Alto on the southwest side of the Santa Ritas. It's more work but the birds are there and the country is beautiful. Make sure you and your dog are in good shape to hunt those areas. Don't forget to pick up a copy of the hunting regulations before you go. Make sure to check the hunt regulations as the season starts later for Mearns quail than the desert quail, and the bag and possession limits are different.

A popular area for Mearns Quail hunters is Fort and Hog Canyon. The traditional entrance off of Highway 82 is not public access and has been posted no trespassing by the homeowner's association. Respect landowner's rights and use the alternative access through Gardner Canyon.

 

35A&B

Mearns' quail populations are found throughout the numerous mountain ranges. The most huntable populations are found in the scattered oak-juniper woodlands at elevations ranging from 5,000 - 6,000 feet. These areas, located around the Huachuca Mts., Canelo Hills and Patagonia Mts., have good concentrations of Mearns' quail. Public access throughout these areas is excellent.

To get good Mearns’ quail habitat, take I-10 to Hwy 83, south to Sonoita. From Sonoita take Hwy 82 east to Sierra Vista or take Hwy 82 west to Patagonia where the Patagonia Mountains or San Rafael Valley can be accessed. To access the Canelo Hills and the west side of the Huachuca Mts. take Hwy 83 south from Sonoita. Take Hwy 82 from Sonoita to Nogales to access the west side of the Patagonia Mts.

Notes: Access information can be obtained by purchasing a USFS map or by contacting the BLM Sierra Vista office at (520) 458-3559.

 

36B

Overview: Unit 36B is primarily a Mearns quail hunting unit. Some Gambels quail can be found in the San Luis drainage and in the mesquite/grassland habitat located in the northeastern part of the unit.

Good Mearns quail hunting is found in the oak grassland areas along the Ruby Road and in the Tumacacori Mts. Hunt the north facing slopes that have good oak cover. A particularly popular area to hunt Mearns quail is in the canyons near Pena Blanca Lake. Be advised that the area immediately around the lake is a recreational area where shooting any firearm is not allowed. Contact the U.S. Forest Service-Nogales Ranger District Office for more information.

The Buenos Aires Wildlife Refuge is closed to all quail hunting in order to protect the endangered Masked Bobwhite Quail.

For access and additional information, please see the write-up on javelina.

 

[slopoke36]

Good times!

[Xman2000]

Man Rica is a beauty theres nothing prettier than a wirehair on point

[Xman2000]

I bet you guys had a blast he looks so proud. I can remember taking my quail hunting partner and his dog Buddy down south for the first time not knowing if we would come across any mearns and his yellow lab Buddy was simply amazing he put us right on them even caught a live one and put it in my hand scared me to death it flew of and that lab was so mad he refused to hunt next to me for the rest of the day ( you could almost hear him say jerk I was worked hard for that bird and you let him go LOL)