Quail 2026
 

Anybody getting ready for the upcoming season? I dug out the "go to gun". Nothing pretty or graded. Just the ol 24" Sterly 16. I do have a set of 28" barrels I fit to this for dove, if seasons overlap.

I'd like to try 24" barrels. I always liked 26" barrels. I hunt a lot but shoot clays only a little.
Always enjoy your posts Chris.
I often hunt with a Utica SW 20, 28" barrels

Never know what the season will bring but I’ve seen a lot of birds on my place this summer.

Can’t wait for our season to open. I just hope our quail developed webbed feet with all the rain we’ve had.

I keep looking for the right 24” gun…

I’m headed to grouse & woodcock camp in Vermont this morning for the weekend. I’m bringing two of my 24” guns - one is my 16 gauge Lifter and the other is my “Mrs. E. W. B.” Ithaca 20 gauge. It should be a fun time!





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Good luck to all for the upcoming season.
Garry, will you be back in Minnesota this fall--Elaine's photography and your essays are always looked forward to.
Last winter may have wiped out the quail here, won't know until November, after I get back from the UP.

I’m in New Hampshire to open my annual “Epic October” and the opening of grouse season here. My Dottie dog had 5 nice woodcock finds yesterday but otherwise a pretty slow day with only 1 grouse moved after 4 dogs on the ground. It’s wonderful to be back watching the dogs do what God intended for them. Brought along a 28” VHE 28 and 28” VH 20.

I wish everyone a prosperous bird season whether it's quail or grouse or mudbats. I am unable to hunt for a while after back surgery so I'll have to make due with your adventures, reading books, and maybe even buying a gun I have no need or business owning : )

On the subject of 24" barrels, the shortest thing I use is a 12g Franchi AL semi auto with stubby barrels and they are dandy in thick cover. Seems there are two trends and I wonder if they'll EVER reverse. One is long barrels, I've been a victim of selling short barreled guns and paying for long barreled guns (this comes from the popularity of sporting clays because while I love 32" for clays I can't bird hunt with them). Two is the dropping prices of 12g doubles. If 26-28" barrels and 12g ever rebound in price I may start moving some guns but will hang on for now.

Good luck everyone!

Dean good luck on the hunt. We’re actually in Vermont as well for parents weekend at UVM.

John are you talking about wild quail?