Gambel’s and Scaled Quail are the two types of quail that are influenced the most by winter rains. While both species can utilize the summer monsoon seasons to some degree, it’s generally agreed among wildlife biologists that the previous winter rains usually translate to more desert birds to hunt during the season. While researchers use various methods to give their forecast, we look at rain as a key success factor in forecasting our quail outlooks. It’s a no-brainer that water is essential for life, and specifically Arizona quail. If you can find water, you will generally find birds!
This year we’ve teamed up with Dr. Erinanne M. Saffell, PhD, an ASU Climatologist, to analyze historical rainfall in various parts of the state as it relates to Gambel’s, Scaled, and Mearns quail. While the research is not at all exhaustive, it does cover historical rainfall of winter and monsoon rains and compares them to the previous three years in specific areas in our state. More information is more readily available for our coaching clients. Click here to learn more.
Some may ask, why look at the three years of rain data? Well, you can imagine if you have three years of consecutive rainfall for winter or summer monsoons, this could really help with the quail populations, both in the quality and quantity of birds. Good rain means a good number of birds on the ground with plenty of cover and food to eat.
Some of you may be old enough to recall the 80’s in Arizona, or maybe you’ve been told about the Glory Days? It’s been described by many as the Golden Era of quail hunting for AZ! In fact, you can watch a classic video on our YouTube Channel on the topic with the famous Arizona Guide, Dan Priest, by clicking here!
One of the greatest contributing factors of that Era was….. rain! There were many years of consistent winter and summer rains back then that provided the higher populations of birds with abundance of cover and vegetation for quail habitat. Consecutive rainfall year after year in quail country is always a good thing and builds up the desert bird populations. The same goes for the Mearns in regard to the monsoons.
WHAT TO EXPECT THIS SEASON
As far as this season goes, here’s what you can expect. You are always going to find birds in pockets of the state. This season you will likely have to hike a little farther and work a little harder. Generally speaking, wherever there were birds last year, you will likely find some there this year. I would not expect to find coveys much over ten as the season starts off. As it goes on, coveys are shot out and can join other coveys to form what’s called a super covey. These are fun to find and hunt, but you likely will be hunting smaller coveys this year based on the research we’ve found.
To further support our research, we consult with wildlife biologists throughout the year. We recently received a report about a team of biologists that have been conducting surveys in parts of the state on Historical Arizona Game Fish small game survey routes. These teams were tasked with counting Gambel’s quail. The team discovered a 50-60% decrease from last year in Gambel’s quail. While the survey was a small sample, it’s likely a good indication of the significant decrease in the Gambel’s quail population.
While the winter rains from October 2021 to March 2022 were low in most parts of the state, you will find more ground cover due to the higher levels of rain we’ve had this summer. The monsoons are providing an abundance of greenery, vegetation, and cover for quail all over the state. While the monsoons typically help the Mearns quail, there are many biologists that would confirm that both the Gambel’s and especially the Scaled quail will take advantage of these rains and have a second or third hatch. In fact, we’ve received scouting reports from the back country as well as from various parts of the state that confirm seeing coveys with chicks and young birds in both the Gambel’s and Scaled quail species throughout the summer. So, it’s safe to say you can expect to see more juvenile birds early in the season.
WATCH OUT FOR SNAKES EARLY IN THE SEASON
As a general rule, I don’t hunt too much in lower elevations until it’s cooled off. To avoid snakes, I wait until there has been a good freeze or two before I hunt with my dog. Arizona is home to dozens of species of rattlesnakes, all of which are still active early in the season. I personally leave the dog at home or back in the truck. With the extra monsoons, this will add to the number of insects, rodents, and reptiles. There is an abundance of thick cover, providing plenty of sneaky and snaky spots for a potential snake bite. While one dog may live through a snake bite, many do not. It can easily cost a few thousand dollars in vet bills, too. No matter if your dog has the vaccine or not, with the 36 species of rattlesnakes in Arizona, it’s hard for a vaccine to be effective. In my opinion, the best plan of action is to wait until you’re hunting with dogs in morning temperatures in the 40’s and 50’s, not the 60’s or 70s!
Getting out early in the season can be very helpful for scouting. There will be a lot of young birds that you may want to let grow older and come back to with a dog once the temperatures cool down. I often use October and early November for scouting old and new spots. You should consider some gators or snake chaps for safety. Dropping pins on maps such as OnX Hunt maps can really save a lot of time and energy for you, your dog, and a friend or two later in the season.
CONCLUDING THOUGHTS & MORE TIPS
At the end of the day, I do not think the 2021-2022 winter rains made for a good year for our desert birds. The best season for Gambel’s and Scaled in the last few years was the 2019-2020 season, which was marked by good wet winters then and the year before.
As has it been said that the Scaled and Gambel’s seem to be taking advantage of these monsoons. Just be mindful of the younger birds early in the season. You might find some really young ones out there that need to live to see another day! In cases like that, I will often mark my location and come back to hunt them late in the season, or leave them fo the next. Lastly, it’s helpful educate yourself about the condition and ages of the covey you are hunting as well. You can identify the younger birds by looking at covert feathers. You don’t want to shoot only carry over birds and run the risk of shooting out a covey. It’s important to think about management of the covey. Shoot a few birds and move on. You want a mix of birds in the vest. Birds of the year, will have the white tips on their covert feathers, and the older, carry over birds won’t.
So, in short, our winter rains were below average, and you should expect to see a poor to average year for desert bird hunting. Of course, there will be exceptions to this, but one cannot deny the drought Arizona has been in and the lack of rainfall that negatively impacts desert quail. You will likely see a lot of carryover birds mixed with some really young ones, from the late hatch during the summer monsoons. These monsoons will definitely help our Scaled and Gambel’s quail find more dense cover and increase the survival rate. With cover like we have all over Arizona right now, it makes it hard for predators to locate and pick off the chicks and quail.
At the end of the day, don’t let low rainfall discourage you. Hunting in Arizona is epic, and there are still plenty of birds. You just need to plan ahead, study your terrain, and hike a little longer. It’s a great state. Get out there and explore! Maybe I will see you out there soon!
Ryan Rice, President of AZ Quail Today