Arizona Quail Hunting Guide 2019-2020

The 2019 season is here! After a long drought we finally have a good hatch of Arizona Gambels Quail and Scaled Quail…The Mearns Quail Should be pretty Good To.

The best way to describe the weather this year in Arizona would be: record breaking. The past few weeks have brought storms, rain and even snow at higher elevations. Within the first weeks of October, it has become the third wettest ever recorded. Most of the state received about average rainfall during the Monsoon with a few notable events in different regions. Phoenix landed a bit below normal. Of most concern, though, is that the past winter showed some of the lowest levels of precipitation to date. Most of the state encountered extreme fire restrictions this summer, indicating poor rain fall during the winter.

How does this affect the quail hunter? Well Gambel’s and scaled quail rely heavily on those winter desert rains. AZGFD states, “Gambel’s quail breed in spring and early summer, and breeding intensity and success are directly related to the amount of rainfall received during the previous October through March”. Interestingly, many residents have noted sporadic hatches with chicks observed well into September. This could indicate a poor early hatch and low survival rate. Mearns’ quail, though, may see more opportunity as they don’t nest until later in the year. September didn’t see massive rains, which can affect Mearns’ chick’s survival rates. Hopefully these October rains provide much needed cover and food sources instead affecting survival rates.

Most hunters feel lucky this year with the delay in opening day. October 18^th, which is opening day, lies two weeks later than “normal”. Hopefully the weather holds with cooler temperatures and the snakes retreat for an ideal opening day.

Give us a call to book your quail hunt with us!

We are Arizona born and raised and know the country very well.