Seeking out water sources a key to hunting for quail

Dry. That's the word that best describes habitat conditions throughout much of Nevada and especially here in the south.

Though the storm that blew through here recently brought needed moisture, it's too late to do us much good when it comes to quail hunting conditions. The bottom line is we will be doing a lot more quail hunting than we will quail shooting when the season begins Oct. 13.

Quail populations are dependent on the moisture that falls during the winter months and the plant growth that follows. In good water years, that translates into good quail numbers. The opposite is true in dry years.

In Southern Nevada we've had back-to-back dry years, so quail numbers are down. That's not to say there aren't any quail to hunt, it just means we will have to hunt harder and smarter. It's a simple strategy, but I would start with those areas where you've found quail in the past and go from there.

Arizona, which even on a bad year generally has more quail than we do, also is anticipating a slow hunting year and for the same reason.

"For most of the state, another relatively dry fall-winter-spring negatively impacted all species of quail to varying degrees," the Arizona Game & Fish Department said. "Gambel's quail, which rely on winter precipitation and the corresponding green-up for good reproduction, will be most affected by the lack of winter precipitation."

The bright spot in Arizona is in the southeastern part of the state where hunters can find good populations of three quail species -- Gambel's, scaled and Mearns' -- because this area received above average rainfall during the past winter. Arizona's general quail season opens Oct. 12 for Gambel's, scaled and California quail. For Mearns' quail, the season opens Nov. 23. All seasons close Feb. 11. If you go to Arizona, keep in mind you will need a new hunting license Jan. 1.

Hunters thinking about making the trip to Southern Utah can expect to find conditions similar to those in Southern Nevada. The weather has been so dry that some areas, like the Beaver Dam Slope, have had little reproduction. In some cases Utah biologists have seen only adult birds, and their numbers are down. The general quail season runs Nov. 3 through Nov. 18, but in Washington County the season is extended to Dec. 31.

Whether you choose to hunt in Nevada, Arizona or Utah, the key to finding birds is finding water. As a rule, birds won't be too far from water. Adult birds already have been through one hunting season, so be ready to employ strategy for outmaneuvering your quarry.

Anytime you travel out of state to go hunting or fishing, be sure to get a current copy of the particular state's regulations and take the time to read them through. Laws sometimes change, but ignorance won't keep you from receiving a citation.

• YOUTH UPLAND GAME HUNT -- While most of us won't be able to hunt quail in Nevada until Oct. 13, hunters 15 years or younger can take to the field this weekend during the Silver State's first Junior Upland Game Season.

The young hunters will be able to hunt quail, chukar partridge, Hungarian partridge and rabbits statewide. An adult who is at least 18 years old must accompany each hunter. Before you get too excited and begin looking for someone's kid to take hunting, the accompanying adult is there to mentor the youthful hunter and not hunt. All hunting license and stamp requirements apply.

For the hunters and their mentors who capture the experience on film, they have a chance to win a Beretta shotgun or other prizes in the Youth Upland Game Hunt Photo contest being sponsored by the Carson Valley Chukar Club, Nevada Bighorns Unlimited, the Nevada Chukar Foundation, the Desert Chapter of the Safari Club International and the Northern Nevada Chapter of Safari Club International.

More information on the contest can be found at www.ndow.org.

Doug Nielsen is an award-winning freelance writer and a conservation educator for the Nevada Department of Wildlife. He can be reached at doug@takinitoutside.com.