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 of the Mountain]

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.

[Phil C]

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]

Originally Posted by MARK KIRCHER

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 "Scott" 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.