Last Hoorah of the Mearns Season

[Red Rabbit]

The Arizona quail season closed yesterday, much to the dismay of many bird hunters and their dogs. My last fling was made with friends Art from Alaska and Jim from Williams, AZ. Camp was set in the tall grasslands south of Sonoita, from which the quail journeys were struck on foot from camp or after a short drive to a different set of draws.

 

The bottom of a typical draw.

 

Conditions were dry, which inhibited a Rica's nose from scenting the birds.

 

The first day, we found a couple small coveys in a draw near camp.

We did find a cluster of about a dozen long-eared owls roosted on an Oak tree.

And Art did shoot his first Mearns.

 

Some days the coveys consisted of only two or three birds. One day, we found only one covey and missed all shots as the birds flushed up a hundred feet and over the ridge. One option was to climb up and hope to uncover a single.

 

Since we were hunting for five days and Rica was the only dog for four, our hunts were limited to about four hours per day, so not to wear her out. Nonetheless, after three days she was tuckered and we hunted behind Abby, one of Jim's GSPs, as he came down with his wife and a few dogs for the weekend.

Jim and Art survey from the top of the ridge which a covey flew up and possibly over.

 

The shorter hours of hunting allowed for photo time in the restful evenings and no requirement to wake before dawn.

 

 

After a good day of rest, Rica was spry again and ready for the last morning of the season. In a draw we had not hunted before, she located three coveys of 10-15 birds each, to make it our best day of hunting.

A lucky double.

 

The sun has set upon another Arizona quail season.

 

Doug~RR

[Browning'sCustomMeat]

Great write up. I wish I had more time this past season to get out and find some birds.

Loved the pics, Rica always sounds to come through for you.

-Jeremy-

[Coues Sniper]

Awesome Doug - as usual.

[SunDevil]

"no requirement to wake before dawn" ??? what kind of hunter are you ??? gotta get out there with your glow sticks and get those birds before they can see what the heck is going on - even things up a little bit. if we could fly then I would say go ahead and sleep in but since we can't you gotta use everything at your disposal. JK - as usual great pics and great story Doug. Sounds like a good time - minus the camp fire of course.

[Red Rabbit]

Chris,

Yep, Ima campfire communist . But with that tall, dry grass and breezy conditions in the evenings, my gut said to go smokeless.

 

Doug

[CouesWhitetail]

Beautiful Doug! I am jealous, that's some very nice country you were in. Love those oak grasslands. And great sighting on those long-eared owls. I have never even seen one of them yet! Great pic!

 

Well, quail season may be over, but my dog Julie never reads the regs and chased lots of quail today on our walk. She loves to run full blast at the birds. (obviously not a trained bird dog, but still LOVES birds!)

At least your Rica had some great hunts this year!

 

Amanda

[Red Rabbit]

Amanda,

Those owls flushed out of a low hanging oak and they kept coming and coming, 13 total I recall. This one only flew to a tree about 30 yards away. Pic was taken at about 15 yards.

 

Doug

[Lance]

Awesome Doug! I always enjoy your pic's!

 

Lance

[Hunterdan]

Those are some awesome Pics Doug!!