2018 Mearns Quail Hunting

[George Davis]

I've spent 7 days hunting Mearns Quail in December, snowed Thursday night and all day today (12/28) in Patagonia. I've hunted Mearns for over 30 years and I would say this is a below average year. Coveys are 6-8 birds and they are high and/or in rough country. Southern Arizona had good rains this summer but it was late so birds are under sized.
Lost my footing and took a tumble and dinged a LC Smith 16 gauge and 10 stitched and 4 staples to close my wound and this old body is sore!!!
I think I'm headed to New Mexico in January and leaving Mearns hunting til December 2019.

[Randy G Roberts]

Hope everything heals alright. I gotta ask, what happened?

[Mills Morrison]

Hope you recover well.

[Daniel G Rainey]

Sorry about your fall. Hope for a fast recovery. At least the fall happened when doing something that you love! Best of luck on the next hunt.

[Rich Anderson]

I've taken a couple of bad spills grouse hunting so I feel your pain. Quail hunting in the south west is a bucket list hunt for me.

Don't worry about the nick in the gun. Over time it will become a memory of your hunt and one day you'll notice it and a smile will come along.

[George Davis]

Thanks to all of your notes for my quick recovery and good wishes.
My Brittney went on a rock solid point across an arroyo (about 40 yards away), needed to cross and get their as soon possible as I started down the side of the arroyo the entire bank gave away and I fell backwards and down about four feet. Cracked the back of the head on a rock and got a nice cut across the area. Nothing like a head cut to produce lots of blood.
The funny part as I was walking the 1/2 mile or so back to the truck two Audubon Society Members were doing their annual bird counts. The lady was clearly shaken by the amount of blood all over my clothes and asked what happen. I responded with, " you should see the bear". Bad decision on my part as she went into a panic and told her husband, " take me to our truck right now"!!!! After we got her calmed down I went to my truck and drove to the Community Health Center in Patagonia.

[Bill Mullins]

George, having hunted Mearns in Coronoda National Forest near Patagonia a few years ago I can certainly attest to the challenging terrain and steep hills. Got to be in great shape to hunt Mearns and still watch your every step. Glad you are okay and will be ready for your next trip. 🤗

[George Davis]

Hunted Mearns Quail Monday and Tuesday in the San Rafael Valley. Averaged a covey about every 1 1/2 hours with the average size 6-8 birds. This year the old pheasant hunting saying makes sense; "he who puts the most leather on the ground will shoot the most birds". Found most of the coveys 1 1/2-2 miles from Forest Service Roads.
Over the miles I've generally found bird hunters to be extremely respectful and courteous. This year we've had two incidences in which hunters saw/heard we were into birds and crashed right on tops of us and our dogs. Had one group from California tell us we should get out of their way as they wanted to hunt an area which we call the bowl and after we had been hunting the area for over an hour. Since all this area is public land they've as must right as I do to hunt the area but really!!!

[Craig Larter]

Mearns my favorite upland bird. Skipped this year due to low numbers. Hope they recover soon. As George and others said it's hard hunting in beautiful country.

[MARK KIRCHER]

1903 DH 20 bore - 28" IC/MOD Pistol Grip DT 0 frame skeleton butt
San Rafeal Mearns
Sad to miss it this year. I have been fortunate to go the last 5.
Reports from my guide and friend confirm. Birds down again this year - ground is covered up with hunters - Many on extended stays - Too much of a good thing along with weather and liberal limits taking a toll - He recommended we pass until the "mearns fever" dies down. I hope that is soon.

[Rich Anderson]

I would love to hunt the South West someday for mearns quail.

[George Davis]

C.O.B., my recommendation to any potential Mearns Quail hunter don't wait to long. The country is beautiful and tough so you don't see many older hunters. I approaching 70 and have had three back surgeries and knee replacement so the day is coming when my Mearns Quail Hunting will be in the rear view mirror. I'm working hard to push that sunset as many years out as possible. Love to share coffee or meal to discuss guns, dogs or etc.. in Patagonia or Sonoita.

[Rich Anderson]

Maybe we will have to formulate a plan for next year. Winter months are always a good reason to leave Michigan:)

[chris dawe]

Ill have to post pics of my trip with Mr Carr this past december ...but no truer words could be spoken -go sooner rather than later !

[Bill Mullins]

With declining bird numbers and increased hunters it might be prudent for the state to shorten an already short season and reduce daily bag limits. My guide of four years ago today tells me birds have been on the decline yearly but hunter pressure has been on the yearly increase! Not a good combination!
Texas has a Mearns population (but unless recently changed) do not have a hunting season on Mearns allowing the birds to increase in numbers.
Something to think about🤔

[Robin Lewis]

This is good information provided by PA fish & Game for us bird hunters......

fKf8TFyHmdc

[George Davis]

One of the issues today is out unrelenting information stream and a classic example in the last 5-6 years is the multitude of articles on the Mearns Quail Hunting in the Sonoita-Patagonia area. I believe this has contributed to over awareness of Mearns Quail and the beautiful country they're found and just a explosion of hunting pressure.
I to believe the daily and possession limit needs to be lowered.

[charlie cleveland]

lovely birds for sure....charlie

[George Davis]

Just finished three more days of Mearns Quail Hunting and the bird numbers are down, however we visited an area which we've not hunted in 15 years and were into birds all three days and averaged about covey per hour. Coveys were small so we only took one bird per covey.
Wednesday was our goodbye breakfast for many of the hunters. We have one group from PA, several from upper mid-west, one small group from California and large group from Montana and several of the group were headed to New Mexico to chase Blues and then on to Texas to finish the year. Many of the guys started with hunting Ruffed Grouse in PA, Wis or Minnesota then onto North Dakota , South Dakota, Kansas or Montana for Pheasant, Huns or Sharptail before they arrive in Patagonia so the dogs are tired and thin and the hunter have enjoyed another wonderful year of bird hunting.
I'm hunting 1 more day the last week of the season with older dear friend before he heads back to Montana.