Arizona Mearns outlook.

[Phil C]

Yes still getting really hot. Headed out for opening day for a few hours tomorrow. No dogs. Hopefully will get a few Gamble quail.

[Stan Hillis]

When you don't carry the dogs do you ever walk the "washes" and try to spot them ahead? That's how I did it when there. When they'd see me and scurry into the brush. I'd carefully walk in and try to get a single flush. I did bumble into a covey on a hillside that morning, though, and got a shot. Killed the first one I shot at, but man those little suckers can move!

I'm sure there must be a better way than what I did.

SRH

[Phil C]

Stan this is generally how I hunt without dogs. I like to have two of us walk the ravines as I call. Locate The birds then try to jump the covey. If we can bust them up many times they will Hold tight.
Moving slow through the brush snd cactus And stopping makes them nervous many time. Giving you some opportunity's at singles.
Pictures later today if we have any success.

[Stan Hillis]

Thanks, Phil.

SRH

[Phil C]

Yesterday was tough. Went to a place a friend had hunted before with good success. Jumped a covey of 8 Gamble quail about 10 minutes from the truck. They scattered like the wind once they hit the ground. Never got a shot.
Hunted another hour and a half and never moved another bird.
Decided to drive up the road about 5 miles into some of the nastiest Cholla cactus covered ground in AZ.
While driving in we spotted a couple of birds feeding. They hung around while we got out and got our shotguns. As soon as we stepped into the cactus patch about 20 birds took off running. We chased them for 100 yards but could never get them to fly.
By then it was 90 degrees and they gave us the slip.
Called it a day and headed to LUKES for a Chicago dog and a large lemonade.
I will head out to a few of my areas I have hunted in the past with success, early next week.