Can't figure out them da gum quail!!!!!!

[oldhammy1]

Have been quail hunting here in Southern Arizona 4 times so far this year. We initially found a nice covey and busted 9 birds in 45 minutes. The next two visits to the same spot yielded 4 and 2 birds. They got wise and after we scattered the covey, and they would hang tight and not call out for a while. A week later i went way back into the hills, along a wash up to a place where there didn't appear to have been any human activity(no foot prints, spent shells, etc.). We found a huge covey, at least 20 birds, and after initally scattering them, they behaved exactly the same as the other covey I had hunted out 3 times. Heres the question- Do the quail get smarter as the season progresses, wheather they are being hunted or not? Do they get quieter as the season gets colder? I am assuming this covey has not been hunted this year(I could be mistaken, but I'm pretty sure no one ever goes where they were). Any other general quail hunting advice would be greatly appreciated.

Oldhammy1


View attachment 30995

 

[Gunpacker]

I assume that you are hunting Gambel's quail in AZ. I have only hunted Bob White quail in the South, and am not sure if they behave the same. However, Bob Whites would not normally call immediately after the break up of a covey. A few might call, but not often. Singles would sit tight, as the quail normally do in a covey until flying directly under your feet usually. A covey during the day is easier to disturb than a single since they cover a larger area. Late evening will find the quail calling to reestablish the covey for night roosting. Singles, being isolated and even more nervous, will typically hold from flying until you nearly step on them. One of my favorite memories of the South is listening to the call of Bob White quail in the evening.
Cover will affect how they act too. In later season, if good cover is available, quail will tend to run if possible, not holding as well for dogs, and in some cover, it is nearly impossible to get them to fly, if they can keep ahead of hunters on the ground. They act like little pheasants then. When farmers began planting Milo as a cover crop, it presented clear areas near the ground for quail to run, and the entangling overhanging tops would make it more difficult for hunter and dog. Got real hard to get them to fly then.
If you are getting them up without a dog, you are doing pretty well.

 

[svtruth]

No spent shells

Don't the hunters clean up after themselves?

 

[sm]

Gunpacker's Post
+1
I too am in the South.

Re: Picture.
The Rivers get a bit high and some areas get flooded.
If'n you can't hunt deer and small game - go after the ducks I say.

Now while many are just cabins on stilts, some ain't. Your pic shows a travel trailer...I have been in Jesus Bus - complete with McGovern for Pres, Janis is Queen, Peace Signs, and Live at the Fillmore East bumper stickers...
Something about Greenheads and BobWhite Quail gets me all excited.

 

[oldhammy1]

Pickin up

SVTRUTH-
Yeah in an ideal world all hunters pick up every spent shell that hits the ground, but I have found that the better hunting spots always have some remnant of who was there, by way of some empties. Most of the time they are old and rusty, but usually I see them. Also, I look for disturbance of the grass/weeds, footprints in the dirt or sand, and the other thing is that I was out on opening day at this area and didn't hear or see another soul. So I still am looking for advice. By the way, I am hunting gambels quail.

OldhammyView attachment 30997

 

[Gunpacker]

That's a fine collection of recreational vehicles you tour with hammy. Travel and hunt in style.

 

[oldhammy1]

Cont.

I talked with a guy at Sportsmans Warehouse today about this issue. He told me that once the covey scatters, you can use a hawk call, which will essentially make them freeze in place and not move. Then use a good pointer dog to point them. Anyone ever done similar?

 

[oldhammy1]

Oops, I forgot....

View attachment 31541

 

[Lennyjoe]

Depends. We usually find the majority of our quail in or near the washes. The more pressure the earlier they jump. Have had them jump at my feet at the beginning of the season and then more than 30 yards away towards the end of the season.

Gambles are the most common here. We do have an area near the border where we hunt Scaled but they are pretty few and far between. Usually, when we are hunting late season doves by a great late season pond, we drop down behind it and shoot Scaled.

Get yourself some quality brush pants and snake boots for piece of mind.