Drew you are right on the money with all of your comments and observations. The season was pretty good, but just a quick glance at a map showing where the traditional Mearns areas are, clearly shows this is a renewable resource only if hunters practice good conservation. Conservatively 8 out of 10 vehicles were out of state. Lots of them are good good guys, that try to shoot roosters and do not hunt the coveys day after day until they are gone. Then there are others that come in with a truck load of dogs and then hunt ever bird down that is in the canyon. Some stay for 2 months, and hunt almost every day. Some of the comments attitudes we experienced was " we have been hunting this same area for the past 10 years, the first few days we got here last week the hunting was great, now getting hard to find the birds, they must be getting smart. Pulling up behind us, one guy stated I see you found my best spot. Yet another comment to my hunting partner one day, We are here for the next 3 days ( a well known quail support group ) we are having a friendly contest to see who can shot the most birds. Finally the most discusting and greedy comment was from a hunter that after discussing with him the need to shoot one or two birds out of a covey and then pull his dogs out and walk away from the rest of the covey, I am not about to do that hell I might not be back next year? I love to hunt out of state also when possible, so I sure do not want to begrudge any sportsman from enjoying a hunt for Mearns, but if you do come be prepared for for having a lot of other hunters, and please practice good conservation, and sportsmanship.
PS don't be fooled by the wonderful picture Drew posted, this is a beautiful grassy area, and in fact is where I will be running one of my dogs Sunday in a NSTRA trial. Most of the Mearns areas are just as beautiful, but is not by any stretch of the imagination easy walking in most cases.
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