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Quail Outlooks by Region > Region 3

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Unit 15D	.Unit 20A
Unit 15A	Unit 16A	Unit 18B
Unit 15B	Unit 17A	Unit 19A	.
Unit 15C	Unit 17B	Unit 19B	.

Unit 15D

Overview: Gambel's quail can be found throughout the desert scrublands and thickets in Unit 15D. Concentrate your efforts near permanent water sources (springs, stock tanks and washes). Quail reproduction is closely tied with the amount of rainfall from December-April to produce succulent new green plants and seeds for quail to feed on and provide cover from predators.

Areas: Stock tanks and washes throughout the Sacramento Valley area; just be careful of new houses and developments in the area.

Washes on the west side of the Black Mountains (Silver Creek, Mossback, Grapevine, Spring, and Cottonwood Canyons). You can access the areas on the west side of the Blacks by taking the Bullhead Parkway off Highway 95 to Silver Creek Road and head east (USGS Topographic map-Oatman Quadrangle). Areas will be clearly marked on the topo map.

Be aware of wilderness area boundaries and posted private lands.

Tips: Spend time before the season scouting for birds and have a backup plan if somebody is in your secret spot on opening day.

Best time to locate birds is in the early morning and late afternoon when quail are most vocal and moving about feeding. Try a quail call; occasionally you will prompt a response. Once you have located a covey and flushed them, work the area very thoroughly. With persistence you may pick up singles. When you have exhausted your efforts, relax a few minutes and try your call again. Quail are very gregarious birds and will vocalize to get the covey back together. A well-trained bird dog will also aid in your locating and retrieving efforts, but be aware that rattle snakes can be out even in winter at the lower elevations. Always practice good firearms safety. Please note it is a violation of Arizona State Law to leave any litter in the field. Spent shotgun shells are litter. Please make sure your party leaves with all empty shells.

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Unit 20A

Overview: Gambel's quail can be found throughout Unit 20A except for the higher elevations such as Towers Mountain and Mount Union. One of the prime areas to hunt quail with dogs is south of Mayer. This area is grassland, prickly pear cacti habitat. Be alert for rattlesnakes. Quail populations fluctuate in direct proportion to the amount of rainfall. Populations appear to be on the rise.

Areas: North - Between Wilhoit and Skull Valley. This area can be accessed at the junction of Highway 89 and Walden Road in Wilhoit. Take Walden Road north one mile and go across cattle guard to the right. This is F.S. 56. There are several washes to hunt and there are several two-track roads to take you in good areas. If you stay on F.S. 56 it will take you to F.S. 64 (Copper Basin Road), and you can come out at Skull Valley.

South - Cellars Basin is located in the southwest portion of the unit. It is accessed from Highway 89 and Wagoner Road, 12 miles south on Wagoner Road to F.S. 682. Follow F.S. 682 to F.S. 682B. This accesses several two-track roads to different areas in the basin. There are no private land restrictions in this area. Habitat type: scrub oak, juniper, and prickly pear cacti.

East - Areas between Mayer and Cleator: accessed by exiting Interstate 17 at milepost 259 to Cordes. Go south of Cordes to State Route 59, west to Cleator and F.S. 178. Go north on F.S. 178. This will take you all the way north to Mayer. There are several two-track roads that fork off from F.S. 178. Two of them go to game waters that are highly utilized by quail. Habitat type: prickly pear cacti, palo verde, scrub oak.

West - Crooks Canyon Road (F.S. 94). It can be accessed from Highway 89 and Wagoner Road. Take Wagoner Road south to F.S. 94. There are areas all along this road that have quail. Some areas are very brushy so a dog would come in handy. Habitat type: scrub oak, pinyon pines, juniper, and prickly pear cacti.

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Unit 15A/B

Overview: Game Management Units (GMU) 15A/B provides quail hunting opportunities during the general statewide quail season. Gambel's quail are the only quail species found in Unit 15A/B. Hunters will find success early in the season near livestock waters and natural springs under normal warm and dry conditions. As the season progresses and weather conditions cool down, birds can be located in draws and washes with good shrub stands. Hunters can increase their odds of finding birds with pointing dogs, although dogs aren't necessary for a good day in the field.

Areas: Good quail numbers can typically be found on the slopes and flats of any of the three mountain ranges in Units 15A/B. The Cerbat Mountains should have the best concentrations and can be accessed off U.S. Highway 93 and Stockton Hill Road north of Kingman. The Peacock Mountains can be accessed off I-40 at Petro or Hackberry Road off U.S. Route 66 north of Kingman. The Music Mountains are best accessed off Antares Road off U.S. Route 66 north of Kingman. Most portions of the unit are open to public access and hunters should contact the BLM in Kingman for a resource area map to determine land status, water sources, and best access routes (telephone: (928) 718-3700).

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Unit 16A

Overview: In 16A hunters will find Gambel's quail spread throughout the entire unit, though not all habitat types hold high densities. Quail populations are heavily dependant upon the proper timing and amount of winter rainfall for reproduction.

Areas: Hualapai Mountains: The east side of the mountain range can be accessed from Blake Ranch Road. This area is comprised of long ridges running west to east toward Highway 93. The south facing slopes along these ridges are good places to locate birds in the morning and evening. During warmer times, birds can be found down in the washes between these ridges. At higher elevations there are good numbers of birds in the chaparral-type vegetation. At the southern end of the range hunters will find the drier Sonoran Desert-type vegetation. Birds can often be found in the many washes running down from the mountains. There are many access roads off Highway 93 from approximately milepost 113 to Chicken Springs Road in Wikieup.

Hunters who venture onto the Cane Springs or Bar-S ranches should sign in at any of the kiosks at the entry points to the ranches and display a ranch pass in their vehicle at all times. Please pick up your empty shells and respect ranch property.

Alamo Road: The northern end of Alamo Road has been subdivided and many new homes have been built in the area. Hunting opportunities are limited north of Planet Ranch Road. There are still some roads that lead east of Alamo Road at the northern end that will give access to the foothills of the Hualapai Mountains where good quail populations exist. Hunters are urged to use caution and remember that discharging a firearm within 1/4-mile of an occupied structure or residence is unlawful. Access improves below Planet Ranch Road. Quail can be found just about everywhere along Alamo Road south to Alamo Lake.

Poachie Mountains: Access to this range is via any number of roads from Signal Road south to the Santa Maria River. The habitat varies from low desert to scrub oak and junipers closer to the Arrastra Mountain Wilderness. Quail are prevalent throughout the area.

Mohave Mountains: This range east of Lake Havasu City can be accessed from Franconia Road off I-40. The eastern slope has large washes that run out toward Dutch Flat that are home to several coveys. In addition, many of the grassy basins up in the mountains have good numbers of quail.

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Unit 18B

Overview: Quail populations are directly tied to winter and spring precipitation and their populations usually bounce back fairly quickly following drought years. In years following drought, expect to see few adults and a bunch of juveniles. This can make hunting easier since the juveniles tend to hold tighter since they have not been shot at before.

Areas: Unit 18B has a diversity of areas to hunt quail. In the lower, desert regions, one can hunt just about anywhere east of Highway 93, using any of the dirt two-track roads or off Highway 97 going to Bagdad.

There are more remote areas such as Goodwin Mesa and Bozarth Mesa that consist of high desert, short grass prairies that also hold quail. Parts of these mesas have low densities of cactus and are ideal for using bird dogs. Goodwin Mesa can be accessed off Burro Creek Crossing Road at milepost 132, on Highway 93 or from Trout Creek Road, located about 20 miles farther north on Highway 93. In inclement weather, both of these roads can get bad quickly, but are generally accessible by two-wheel drive. To access Bozarth Mesa take Highway 97 to Bagdad then follow Camp Wood Road north and go west at Strotjost Flat. The mesas are generally good areas to use dogs due to the small amount of cactus. The area around the Big Sandy River is also a popular quail-hunting destination.

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Unit 15A/B

Overview: Game Management Unit (GMU) 15A/B provides quail hunting opportunities during the general statewide quail season. Gambel's quail are the only quail species found in Unit 15A/B. Hunters will find success early in the season near livestock waters and natural springs under normal warm and dry conditions. As the season progresses and weather conditions cool down, birds can be located in draws and washes with good shrub stands. Hunters can increase their odds of finding birds with pointing dogs, although dogs aren't necessary for a good day in the field.

Areas: Good quail numbers can typically be found on the slopes and flats of any of the three mountain ranges in Units 15A/B. The Cerbat Mountains should have the best concentrations and can be accessed off U.S. Highway 93 and Stockton Hill Road north of Kingman. The Peacock Mountains can be accessed off I-40 at Petro or Hackberry Road off U.S. Route 66 north of Kingman. The Music Mountains are best accessed off Antares Road off U.S. Route 66 north of Kingman. Most portions of the unit are open to public access and hunters should contact the BLM in Kingman for a resource area map to determine land status, water sources, and best access routes (telephone: (928) 718-3700).

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Unit 17A

Overview: Quail breeding activity and the survival of young birds is directly related to precipitation. Late winter and early spring moisture generally translates to a good quail season.

Early in the season, birds will most likely be tied to water. As the season progresses and temperatures fall, they will move away from tanks and washes to the uplands.

While pockets of quail can be found throughout Unit 17A, the best hunting in GMU 17 occurs in southern 17B.

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Unit 19A

Overview: Unit 19A appears to have a fair/good outlook. Good rains helped vegetation and seed production for young quail. Hunt brushy hillsides in close proximity to permanent water. Many quail hunters use pointing dogs toward the south end of Unit 19A because of the more open terrain.

Areas: East of the Town of Chino Valley and north of Perkinsville Road (County Road 70). Western foothills of Mingus Mountain. Agua Fria River drainage south of Highway 169. Brushy hills north of Highway 169.

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Unit 15C

Overview: Scouting will help ensure that when you go hunting you will find quail. Be sure to pick up a copy of the hunting regulations to verify bag and possession limits, season dates, and legal shooting hours.

Some of the areas to hunt quail are in the Lake Mead National Recreation Area (LMNRA). While in the LMNRA, drive on approved roads only. These roads are signed with a yellow arrow with black numbers in the center indicating the road number. A map is available from the Park Service showing all of the backcountry-approved roads.

Areas: Detrital Valley area: Take Highway 93 until you come to Detrital Valley. Access can be gained at several gates. There is private property in this valley; obey all no trespassing signs and be aware of no shooting within 1/4-mile of an occupied structure.

Cottonwood Road: Take Highway 93 to Cottonwood Road. Follow Cottonwood Road until you find a wash area that you can walk. Wide wash areas are found in this area; they may take a while to find but it will be worth the effort.

Cottonwood Spring and Kemple Spring: These springs are both south of Highway 93 in the Black Mountains. Access is from Highway 93 at various spots.

There are many more areas that have quail. It may take a little exploring and perseverance to find them, but there are few people that use this area. So consider this area to get away from the crowds.

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Unit 17B

Overview: Quail breeding activity and the survival of young Overview: Quail breeding activity and the survival of young birds is directly related to precipitation. Late winter and early spring moisture generally translates to a good hunting season.

Early in the season, birds will most likely be tied to water. As the season progresses and temperatures fall, they will move away from tanks and washes to the uplands.

For locations, refer to the Prescott National Forest Map (west half).

Areas: Gambel's quail are found throughout the unit, although some of the best hunting is in the southern portion. To get there, take County Road 10 (Iron Springs Road) out of Prescott to the following areas:

Tonto Road (Forest Service Road 102, a.k.a. County Road 66). Hunt the hills and draws on both sides of the road. Be aware of private land and obtain permission to hunt where applicable.

Bismark Mesa. Turn off just before Cottonwood Canyon. This road was constructed by the Arizona Game and Fish Department, in a cooperative agreement with the Y-4 Ranch, to provide access for hunters. As always, please respect the rights and property of the ranch to ensure future access.

Much of the southern part of 17B offers quality quail hunting. Focus on the areas between Kirkland and Bagdad. Once again be aware of posted private property.

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Unit 19B

Overview: The drought conditions have greatly reduced this unit's quail population. Gambel's quail can be found near permanent water sources scattered throughout the unit.

This unit is best described as a large grassland valley (Big Chino Valley) that is surrounded by pinyon-juniper covered mesas, buttes, and hills. Land ownership is a combination of public lands, State Trust lands, and private lands. In general, access is granted, but restrictions maybe posted.

Areas: No specific areas can be described for this unit due to the dispersed nature of its quail population. However, inspection of water holes in the hills adjacent grasslands for activity. Many of the water sources are shown on the Prescott National Forest map.

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