NEWS RELEASE
Oct. 15, 2024
PHOENIX — Arizona’s quail hunters won’t find a covey holding tight behind every bush, just waiting to be flushed, when the general season opens Friday, Oct. 18.
That shouldn’t keep fans of the topknot-wearing game birds from tucking a few extra shotgun shells in their game vest, however.
“This should be a solid year for Gambel’s quail numbers,” said Dr. Larisa Harding, small game program manager for the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD). “That’s where I would encourage hunters to focus their efforts on this year.
“I expect hunting success for Mearns’ quail to be spotty, meaning in some locations the numbers will be good, while in others it might take more of an effort to find them.”
It’s important for hunters to note that the season for Mearns’ quail doesn’t begin until Dec. 6. It’s summer rainfall that plays a key role in nesting success and population numbers of this species. After a statistically above-average monsoon season across parts of southern Arizona, Mearns’ quail are likely to be found in pockets that received sufficient precipitation this summer.
A valid Arizona hunting, or combination hunt and fish license, is required for all hunters 10 and older. Those hunters under 10 must either have a valid hunting or combination hunt and fish license, or be accompanied by an adult who possesses a valid hunting or combination hunt and fish license. Licenses can be purchased online or at license dealers statewide. A youth combination hunt and fish license (ages 10 to 17) is $5.
The general bag limit is 15 quail per day in the aggregate, of which no more than eight may be Mearns’ quail (when the Mearns’ season opens Dec. 6). The general possession limit is 45 quail in the aggregate after opening day, of which no more than 15 Gambel’s, scaled or California quail in the aggregate may be taken in any one day. After the 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.
The season for all quail species closes Feb. 9, 2025.
As a reminder, AZGFD encourages hunters who harvest a quail that has been affixed with a GPS transmitter or collar to return the collar — along with the date and location of the harvest — to any department office statewide. All transmitters feature a backpack-style Teflon “ribbon” that can be snipped if it doesn’t easily slide off the bird.
AZGFD also asks hunters who take a quail wearing a leg band to report the band’s identification number and location of harvest by emailing smallgame@azgfd.gov.
The department relies on valuable data that collars provide in making science-based decisions that determine the most effective wildlife management practices. The stored data can include a bird’s behaviors, movement patterns and frequency, home-range size, and more.
Attention, southern Arizona quail hunters:
Recovery efforts for the endangered masked bobwhite quail continue in southern Arizona. Captive breeding and reintroductions have been successful in and around the Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge. As a result, game management units 36A, 36B and 36C have recently been occupied by the endangered masked bobwhite quail.
As with all hunted wildlife, each hunter is legally liable and responsible for knowing their target before shooting. While Gambel’s quail and scaled quail are notably different, Mearns’ quail and masked bobwhite quail share similarities in appearance and behavior. It could be difficult to determine the difference between these two species when flushed.
While the Gambel’s, scaled and Mearns’ species are legal to take, per the “2024-2025 Arizona Hunting Regulations,” the masked bobwhite quail is federally protected under the Endangered Species Act. Killing a masked bobwhite quail is a violation of A.R.S 17.309.A.10 and could result in license revocation (A.R.S. 17-340), a minimum civil assessment of $8,000 (A.R.S. 17-314) and additional federal fines, fees and jail time. Know your target.
Visit https://www.azgfd.com/2023/10/11/southern-arizona-quail-hunters-know-your-target/ to open a flier that details how to identify the four quail species, as well as a map that shows where masked bobwhites are potentially present.