Equipment >>
Excerpt from Arizona Quail Hunting 101
Written by Kirby Bristow
Published by Arizona Game and Fish Department, Arizona Wildlife News, pgs. 14-17
© November-December 2008, Outdoor Tips, Hunting for Quail.
Equipment
A quail hunter needs only a few equipment items: a shotgun, boots and a vest. A good dog and a call can improve enjoyment,
Photo by Robert Shantzr
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but are not necessary for success. Compared to just about any other outdoor activity, quail hunting requires a smaller initial investment.
Shotguns for quail hunting should be lightweight. A lighter shotgun comes up to the shoulder and points quickly, and is easier to carry all day. Among flushing game birds, quail accelerate fastest and seem to have an uncanny ability to put obstacles between themselves and the shooter. Many quail hunters go afield with the same long-barreled 12-gauge "Grandpa used for geese," but that is a mistake. Some lightweight 12-gauge shotguns are suitable for quail hunting, but generally the smaller-gauge guns are lighter.
The shotgun must fit properly to ensure the shooter can consistently and quickly mount the gun. Many factors affect shotgun fit. A knowledgeable salesperson can guide your decision, so ask for help before making a purchase.
Reliability, weight and fit are more important than action type for a quail-hunting shotgun. Any type of action works here, though few people hunt with single shots. Purists choose double-barreled firearms (side-by-sides, and over-and-unders), but these can be expensive. Semiautomatics are a decent choice, but for price and performance, it is hard to beat a pump gun.
For quail hunting, the choke (the amount of constriction on the shot pattern) should be open. A modified, improved cylinder or skeet choke works best. Lighter shot loads (1 ounce and lower) are sufficient. An added benefit of lighter loads is that the shotgun will kick less than it would with heavy loads. Many hunters use heavier loads to reduce the number of birds hit but not killed, but shot size is more critical to ensuring clean kills: No. 7.5 or No. 8 shot is commonly used. For late season birds, I even use No. 6 shot. I find No. 9 shot results in more crippled birds and is best-suited for clay targets.
The second piece of equipment required for quail hunting is a pair of lightweight boots. Success at finding quail is proportional to the numbers of miles walked, which can be brutal in poorly fitting, heavy, insulated boots. Try on boots before you purchase them. Boots that are uncomfortable in the store will be tortuous in the field. I prefer medium to high-top (8 to 12 inches) boots for ankle support and to keep
Photo by Robert Shantz
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grass seeds out of my socks. Leather boots fend off cactus spines. Waterproof boots are nice, but not necessary.
Unless you intend to carry birds and shotgun shells in grocery bags - don't laugh, some hunter do - a good shooting vest is a necessity. I prefer strap vests that suspend the game bag and shell pockets from the shoulders with crisscrossing straps. Having less fabric, these vests are ideal on warm days. You can wear a light jacket underneath when temperatures drop.
I like roomy pockets up front for the carrying shells. Shell loops are handy but wear out quickly and shells fall loose in your pockets anyway. Pocket flaps keep out some of the small branches and leaves that accumulate as you wade through brush.
Many lightweight vests are made of cool, mesh material, but mesh can shred after one season in our quail country. I prefer sturdier material in hunter orange for enhanced safety. The game pocket should have a lining impervious to blood. Those that zip or snap completely open are easier to clean.
Recent innovations have produced fancy vests with internal hydration systems and various configurations of pockets and game bags. These features can be convenient but are not required and may add unnecessary cost and weight.
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2009-2010 Arizona Quail Season
Mearns' Quail: November 27th 2009 - February 7th 2010
Gambel's and Scaled Quail: October 2nd 2009 - February 7th 2010
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