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

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.

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

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 !

Mearns
 

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🤔

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

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.

lovely birds for sure....charlie

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.