In a pasture near Roy, Tex., last January, I flushed a plague of quail. They also have a small, pointed, cream-colored crest atop their heads, can grow to a foot in length and weigh 7 or 8 oz. “In a normal year, this area can be excellent for bobwhites and OK for scaled quail. Rattlesnakes are a concern too. Public hunting opportunities can be found at the Gene Howe and the Matador WMAs where staff are reporting some late season breeding resulting from timely rainfall. Quail. Pricing Details. 9 Outfitters that offer Scaled Quail Hunting Trips, Guides and Oufitters found. A fourth, the California quail, receives little hunting pressure and is found along the Little Colorado River drainage near Springerville. Film Overview. It was a classic irruption year. Heavy hunting pressure tends to force Scaled Quail to seek denser cover for hiding. We have hunted Quail and offered guided Quail hunting in Southern Arizona for over 15 years. While scaled quail numbers fell from last year, there appears to have been enough breeding stock and nesting to provide optimism for an average season. This property sets just a mile west of the famous Witcher Hunting Ranch on the Cimarron River. Most years it’s not, but you sure don’t want to miss it when it’s hot. In west Texas, hunting has not been a negative factor as it relates to quail survival rates. Region II (Flagstaff) Unit 6A: This is not a top 10 quail unit at all, except that it runs hot and cold depending on the year. Scaled quail Photo courtesy AZGFD. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) oversees a big chunk of southeastern New Mexico, and some of the best scaled quail hunting … This weekend, I went to scout out a unit for the second mule deer season during the first season. A weekend of scouting for a deer hunt reminded me of the reasons why I love hunting scaled quail so much. They don't appeal to the same senses as big-game animals, nor do they yield the same tangible return, and they demand a serious commitment of time and fortitude. Because hunting there at 4,600 to 6,600 feet elevation involved six to 10 miles of walking a day, it also was a perfect place to check out the svelte and lively 28-gauge Benelli Ethos semi-auto shotgun. Coming off of an exceptional 2015-16 hunting season, this appears to be more of an average hunting year. Hunting scaled quail often requires a long hike, much of it uphill. Posted on July 10, 2020 July 10, 2020 by DAGuides. There are plenty of reasons upland birds lie in such a narrow niche of hunting popularity. More information about bobwhite quail populations in Texas can be found on the TPWD website. You won't regret a scaled quail hunt. Addition-ally, spring reports of Montezuma quail in the Sacramento, Capitan, and San Mateo Mountains were encouraging. Conestoga Ave • We have hunted Quail and offered guided Quail hunting in Southern Arizona for over 15 years. Unfortunately, birds in this area are very prone to boom and bust fluctuations. In addition, Gorman suggests the extreme southeastern Baca County. It is also called the Blue Quail, thanks to a bluish gray coloring.The busy white crest that it has could be mistaken for a tuft of cotton, which is why the bird is also sometimes known a Cotton Top Quail. $795/day one hunter. Quail have excellent hearing, and when they hear car doors slam, dogs barking and people talking, they will run as fast as they can to avoid danger. While hunting prospects for bobwhites are somewhat bleak this season across much of Texas, opportunity abounds for scaled quail … #183. When hunting with Adams I have seen it over and over again. Preference is given to bare ground with leaflitter and grass < 40 cm (16 in) in height for lateral cover. According to biologist Dale Rollins, bobwhite numbers hadn't just doubled over the previous year; they'd increased fivefold. Groups of Scaled Quail scurry through the desert grasslands of the southwestern United States, calling softly to each other to stay in contact. But what makes this hunt special for the DIY bird-hunting adventurer is the wealth of public land in the region, mostly federal. Gambels and Scaled Quail hunting opportunities can be found a short distance away as we have plenty of Grassland Savannah’s and mesquite lined washes that these two Quails call home. When hunting scalies, I have about 1/4 of the state of NM to myself and I rarely see another hunter. The best deer, elk, bear and other big game outfitters in Texas, Colorado and beyond are right here on Guidefitter. These elegant brownish-gray birds have an understated crest with a buffy top and a marvelous pattern of dark brown and gray-buff on the breast and belly. Licensed Arizona Guide, Mike Cross, is pleased to offer guided quail hunts in Southeastern Arizona near Tucson. Despite rains abruptly shutting off in mid-May, many hens were able to … Scaled Quail Hunting Trips, Guides and Oufitters. The best Gambel’s quail hunting, though, would be Unit 27. Bring it on. “By human standards, scaled quail are likely insane” - Tom Huggler, Quail Hunting in America That quote from Tom Huggler’s classic book pretty much sums up all you need to know about the scaled quail, at least from an anthropomorphic standpoint. California, Gambel's and scaled quail make a variety of sounds; learn to recognize these calls." Sometimes they flush, sometimes you … Both bob-white and scaled quail numbers are up after a high reproduction year in 2015. Latest Posts. It’s a Wingshooter’s pursuit, and no one knows it better than Ryan O’Shaughnessy of West Texas Quail Outfitters. Both species are ground-dwellers, primarily foraging on seeds and insects. The public lands that make up 60% of the state offer hunters the opportunity to hunt several quail species Scaled Quail, Gambel’s, California quail, and Mearns. And that opportunity is available to all who purchase a $48 annual public hunting … The state of Arizona is high on most quail hunter’s list of dream hunting destinations and with good reason. Arizona Quail Hunting Guide MIKE CROSS. by Dave Brown | Feb 19, 2017 | Wingshooting. Photo by Lisa Filigenzi -Brown . Prairie Chicken – This region is entirely occupied by lesser prairie chickens; therefore, prairie chicken hunting is closed in this area. 3) Be quiet! Here at First Shot Outfitters we hunt 100% wild bobwhite and blue scale quail. My 6 year old Gunner was our retriever and it was a great appetizer for quail season. New Mexico Scaled Quail Hunting. The 28-gauge version completes the line that also includes 12 and 20-gauge guns. Fair conditions coming out of winter allowed scaled quail to nest early. Luke went straight to the clump of brush that the scaled quail had flown into and went on point. Scaled Quail 0. First Shot Outfitters was recognized in The World's Best Shoot, as the Best Wild Quail Hunting in the World. In fact, hunting scaled quail can positively affect the population in large part because they can be prolific breeders. As the name suggests, these are almost completely covered with black tipped feathers that look like scales. Bobwhites and Scaled quail abound here. The mist and fog made it tough to see very far but some of the quail had flown into the strong north wind. I think they're more fun than bobwhite simply because there's a visual aspect to desert quail in that you see them from two tracks, in front of the dog, even between yourself and the dog. Scaled quail hunting is a man's game, even when everything is going your way. This bird is named for the scaly appearance of its breast and back feathers. A good deal of my experience comes from 55+ years of hunting quail and pheasants, mostly in Illinois, but more recently in other states and involving other species. Chasing upland game birds is not for everyone, especially when it comes to the elusive scaled quail. West Texas is calling for quail hunters. 12 Gauge SXS choked SKT1 & SKT2 my preferred open country gun. In West Texas, scaled (blue) quail numbers fell from last year. Sept. 5 New dirt. Roosting - Scaled Quail roost in small groups, tail-to-tail in a tight circle on the ground. COVID-19 Rules. We highlight this area because of the number of acres enrolled in the Walk-In Access program. Tucson, AZ (520) 240-0050 mikecrosstucson@gmail.com Hunt Gambel's Quail, Scaled Quail, and Mearns' Quail Waterfowl and Doves . Scaled quail can also be found in this region but make up a small proportion of quail in the region. Unit 2B contains a few scattered coveys of Scaled quail. Read more about the trip. Scaled quail covey sizes range from 15 to 150 birds, but covey size is dependent on timely rains, which vary. $995/day two hunters By HuntingNetcom Staff on January 1, 2008 General, Pages, staticpages. New friends: Kelly C. … Before we could get close the quail ran away from him and flushed into the mist. Scaled quail populations are healthy. Scaled quail numbers were up eight times. Hunting trips are for either Gambels Quail, Scaled Quail or Mearns Quail. Quail hunters in Arizona spend the majority of their time pursuing three species of quail, Gambel's, scaled or Mearns'. West Texas is calling for quail hunters. Best Shot Sizes & Loads for Pheasant & Quail Hunting An In Depth Look at Shot Sizes, Loads & Chokes for Pheasant & Quail Hunting. In this episode of the podcast, we’re talking about scaled quail, also known as blue quail, with something of a unicorn: Ryan O’Shaughnessy, who is both a PhD game bird biologist and a hunting outfitter, with West Texas Quail Outfitters.. Every episode of Hunt Gather Talk digs deep into the life, habits, hunting, lore, myth and of course prepping and cooking of a particular animal. Please click here or on COVID-19 rules in our toolbar for more information Read More. While hunting prospects for bobwhites are somewhat bleak this season across much of Texas, opportunity abounds for scaled quail under the wide-open skies of the state’s Trans-Pecos region. We're here to help you plan your next hunting adventure. Gambel's & Scaled: Oct. 16, 2020 - Feb. 7, 2021 ... How cool it was to touch base in the dove fields with an old quail hunting bud and his REI friend. --Arizona's 1st and only-- Exclusively hunting quail over Braque du Bourbonnais pointers | Double Aero Guides ... Arizona Scaled & Mearns' Quail. Two species of quail can be found in Oklahoma—the northern bobwhite’s range is nearly statewide, while the scaled quail is restricted to the western edge, including the panhandle. 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