Arizona Mearns outlook.

[Phil C]

This years Mearns quail season is just two months away. Unfortunately this may end up being one of the worst Mearns nesting in 100 years. Our Mearns quail rely on getting good summer Monsoon rains.
Per a posting on Rain logger .
Overall, this looks to be the driest and hottest monsoon season for all of Arizona on record. Preliminary data from the Westwide Drought Tracker shows almost all of the state as the driest July-August-September period since records began in 1895.
Many of the areas I have scouted not surprisingly has little to no grass. A few areas that received some rain ended up being heavily grazed before ranches were able to get cattle sold.
We have been fortunate to have had some great seasons over the last 10 years but this will not be one of them and may effect the Mearns quail numbers for years to come.

[charlie cleveland]

mother nature can be cruel...hope ya ll get rain soon....charlie

[chris dawe]

Originally Posted by Phillip Carr

This years Mearns quail season is just two months away. Unfortunately this may end up being one of the worst Mearns nesting in 100 years. Our Mearns quail rely on getting good summer Monsoon rains.
Per a posting on Rain logger .
Overall, this looks to be the driest and hottest monsoon season for all of Arizona on record. Preliminary data from the Westwide Drought Tracker shows almost all of the state as the driest July-August-September period since records began in 1895.
Many of the areas I have scouted not surprisingly has little to no grass. A few areas that received some rain ended up being heavily grazed before ranches were able to get cattle sold.
We have been fortunate to have had some great seasons over the last 10 years but this will not be one of them and may effect the Mearns quail numbers for years to come.

Well ,I guess this Newfoundlander picked a good year to not come down climbing hills ...though the company is certainly missed !

[Phil C]

Chris I would have enjoyed the company but a long way to come during this drought.
Since many of the tanks we shot ducks off of are dry, unless we get some late rains that will also be a bust.
Desert birds faired a little better since their hatch depends on the winter rains. Unfortunately with the desert tanks drying up it will take a toll on the birds in some areas.

[George "Scott" Davis]

I've hunted Mearns Quails since 1975 and have enjoyed great to poor years, not sure if I'll even go this year as we need to save the breeding stock. The challenge is their are every few "older" Mearns Quail Hunter just based on the terrain. I'm not getting any younger so I losing a year is tough!!

[Mills]

Bad news. Sorry to hear

[Phil C]

I’m with you George. Rather pass this year than impact the next 10. May be a good year to work with my young dog and a blank gun.

[Stan Hillis]

Phillip, do you hunt Gambel's, or strictly Mearn's? I have hunted Gambel's near Tucson, at a place called Rail X, with my son who lives there in Oro Valley, and a friend of his. I found them quite sporting. I asked about the Mearn's and was told they inhabit a different topography, and other areas.

Best to you, SRH

[Phil C]

Stan I mainly hunt Mearns because I love hunting Mearns quail over my English pointers. Also the last 20 years or so the desert birds ( Scale and Gamble bird numbers have been way down.
This year the winter rains which our desert birds depend on for early spring nesting was quite good so the numbers are up in some areas.
Our season opens up this Friday and I will be going out. Due to the heat and because we are still hitting 100 degrees almost every day. The dogs will be staying home.
The combination of heat, snakes and cactus is just too tough on my dogs this time of the year Once it cools around December where the snakes are less of a threat I will be taking the dogs out.

[Stan Hillis]

Good hunting, Phil. My son tells me of the 100 degree temps y'all are having.

Best, SRH