Mearns at Christmas time

[MARK KIRCHER]

All -

I will be in Arizona celebrating Christmas with my Daughter this year. I will have a Parker and hunting gear as I finish a West Kansas duck hunt on 23rd and will head south to PHX after.

Is anyone planning to hunt Mearns around the 26th -28th. I could and would extend my stay if I could budge my way in on a walk for a day or two. I would gladly contribute to any expenses. If not i will try and find a guide, I would just rather not hunt alone and would look forward to meeting another PGCA friend.

LMK if it is a good fit. TY.
Mark

[Mike Koneski]

Mark, contact Phil Carr. He lives in the area and I'm sure he'd be happy to meet up with you. If you ask nice, he may even help you out with some of his honey glazed pecans.

[Phillip Carr]

Mark Pm me your contact info.

That said this is shaping up to be the toughest quail season I have ever experienced. Little to no rain for two years running has put the hurts on the nesting and survival rate.
Game and Fish is currently deciding what they will do as far as shorting the season, or limiting the bird numbers.
My hunting partner and licensed guide is warning his clients that this is not going to be a great year. Even worst than last year.
For anyone planning a once of a life time Mearns quail hunt don’t make this your year as you will be disappointed.
We have been out scouting most of the area we hunt in Southeastern AZ and the young birds are just not there.
If you are just wanting to get out of the cold and see some country then also plan on hitting some of the local attractions to give you some options of things to do.
Late season dove and duck hunting can be good if we get some late season rain.
I hate to sound negative but I hate to see you guys get down here and be disappointed.
I am a native of AZ and been hunting quail for over 58 years. ( 68 yers old).
When the bird numbers are there nothing beats a AZ quail hunt over great pointing dogs.
When the rains don’t come it is flat tough.
There are plenty of guides that will take your money and take you for long walks but the best ones will be honest and shoot straight with you on what to expect.
Anyway here are a few pictures of some past hunts.

[MARK KIRCHER]

Phil -
Thanks for the notes. I will reach out soon. Headed to SD for sharpies today. Much appreciated!
Mark

[Dean Weber]

Phil -
Thanks for the notes. I will reach out soon. Headed to SD for sharpies today. Much appreciated!
Mark

Mark, you timed it right. We have a 4-5 day stretch of early “Fall” weather. Good luck on the grouse. Numbers are optimistic.

[George Davis]

Phi, I've hunted Mearns since the 1978 and two years ago because of the prolonged drought the season was extremely poor. I had great dog work but only shot two. I will not be hunting Mearns at all this year, in my opinion if the Arizona Fish and Game would pull their head out of their anus the season needs to be CLOSED!!!!!
We need to save the breeding stock until the summer monsoon cycle returns to normal.

[keavin nelson]

Phil, that is one pretty Fox!

[MARK KIRCHER]

Dean was correct - we saw plenty of Prairie Grouse On the Sioux reservation -
Craig, Tom, Rick and I were on point and got off to a nice 2025 season start.
All got shooting and had much success - Just a beautiful part of the country. We hunted 2 days quite close to the foothills of the Badlands - weather cooperated and the birds flew hard for us. Challenging hunting indeed!
I managed to close the hunt with a nice 25 -30 yard double on some left to right cornering birds. 4 got up and 2 went down hard - Falling to my Straight grip GHE 20 bore with 32" F/F chokes - 1 Oz. #6 shot was great in the moderate wind.
Looking forward to the comradery and hunting next year already!

[George Davis]

September 5 the "Gutless" Arizona Fish & Game voted 3-2 to continue the 2025 Arizona Quail Season without any changes . Though admitting they understand the quail populations are under stress over the per-longed drought and without increase in both winter and summer moisture future action probably require action. Also discussing the current risk to the current brood stock levels.

PS: They discussed potential changes for 2026 is shortening the seasons and lowering Desert Quail limits to 10 birds and Means to 4 from 6.

[Phillip Carr]

Next year? Wow like closing the barn door after the horse gets out.
The average life expectancy is about a year. This should be interesting.