Arizona Mearns Quail Hunting

[Phil C]

Unfortunately there are more hunters down here than I have seen in 45 years. It used to be guys would come down with their hunting partner and a few dogs. I met two different groups with 10 hunters and over 20 dogs. One group spent 8 days camped out and competing on who could shoot the greatest number of birds for the week. One canyon had a dozen trucks parked in it opening weekend. Absolutely nuts. Trash not carried out, and toilet paper every where. Gates left open.
Pretty bleak picture for the future of Mearns quail unless the AZ Game and Fish figures out a better way to manage the Mearns quail. You only have to look at a map of the Mearns quail habitats to realize that they will go the way of the Bobwhite quail if the pressure continues. Too many hunters shooting out whole coveys by pounding them day after day.
Cannt swing a dead cat without hitting a dozen guides.
If you come for Mearns please drive respectfully especially through private property. Watch your speed and close gates. Carry out your trash and bury your toilet paper. Consider harvesting one or two birds from a covey and then move on, and enjoy the time out with your dogs finding another covey of birds.
Sorry for the rant but it's not the same place it was a few years ago.