Arizona. A wild territory that did not become a state until the year 1912. Before that, it was an outlaw haven and home to the those that had the grit to carve a life out of it. Copper and silver booms attracted those looking to better their lives and the unsavory folk followed to prey upon them. Arizona was once a stronghold for renegade Apache warriors and home to one of the most infamous gun fights in history. Today, modern Arizona citizens are not worried about avoiding a stray bullet from Wyatt Earp’s Peacemaker, they contend with gigantic sandstorms, monsoon floods, and insane temps that can kill you! You gotta be a tough hombre to wanna hang out in Arizona, let alone live in it.

Despite those risks, take a trip to the “Copper State” and you will witness a beauty that is nearly unrivaled by other states! Vast deserts and pine tree forests are home to unique wildlife like the scrappy javelina and monstrous elk. Arizona is over 40% public land. That means a lot of access for the DIY type hunters and adventurers!

If you can take the heat, the hostile wildlife, and cholla spines… Arizona is (literally) a hot-spot for quail and other upland game!

 

Species

Arizona is home to a variety of wildlife. Some of the biggest trophy game animals harvested have been in Arizona, which include Elk and Deer. Arizona is also home to one of the most coveted quail species, that many upland hunters consider a trophy bird. I feel like I am going to over-use that term: Trophy. But Arizona has quite a few trophy birds. They come only to those who earn them. Over the great stretched-out deserts, the arid highlands, and the rolling oak hills… put in the miles and the blood, sweat and tears… it will be worth it!

• Gambel’s Quail – Gambel’s are the most abundant quail in Arizona. You will find them nearly anywhere in Arizona where there is desert (that’s a lot of desert!). Their range tapers off as you head further north into the high-elevation pine forests of Arizona. If you don’t know by now, these guys are runners! They will run until they absolutely need to budge! Be prepared for a lot of miles chasing these guys! They are tough birds and if you are hanging out where these guys live, you know why! They are mostly abundant, however, during early monsoonal rains that help with better chick hatches and retention. During dry seasons, they can still be found in good numbers, as they mostly acquire water from the food they eat. Be ready to shoot your limit during WET years!
• California Quail – California’s premier game bird also calls Arizona home. Although their current range is small (limited to a small rural area in South-Eastern Arizona), there is some speculation that the highly adaptive California Quail’s ranges are expanding in Arizona. Similar to Gambel’s Quail in appearance, California (or Valley) Quail are at home in the arid high-deserts of Arizona. They are a unique opportunity for Arizona residents and the like to shoot a rare game bird, not often found outside of coastal states.
• Scaled Quail – Scaled or Blue Quail, as they are sometimes referred as, are found in the arid grasslands of south and south-eastern Arizona. Upland hunters traveling from the west coast in search of Scaled Quail, will find that Arizona is the closest state in which to hunt these gorgeous game birds! With a scaled pattern on their chests, similar to California Quail, they have a distinguishing “mohawk” crest on their heads that sets them apart from their cousins. Like their cousins, the Gambel’s Quail, they are known to be runners, however! In some overlapping areas where Scaled and Gambel’s live… a unique hybrid occurs, called a “Scramble” Quail (Scaled + Gambel’s = SCRAMBLE… get it? HA!). Now talk about trophy! That’s one for the taxidermist!
• Mearn’s Quail – Probably one of the most sought after quail in North America, next to the Mountain Quail, Mearn’s Quail are one of the smallest quail in North America! Also known as Montezuma or Harlequin Quail, no matter what you call them, they are a true trophy game-bird. Rarer than other species of quail, they are limited to Southern Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas. Their ranges are small when compared to other quail and remain one of the least studied quail in North America. It’s not for lack of trying! Mearn’s Quail posses a camouflaged plumage that is so effective, most people can walk right by them and not even know they were there. This quail’s confidence in their ability to blend in with their environment, often startles hunters, as they will flush out just beneath their feet! You will find these amazing game birds in the rolling oak-hills of southern Arizona! Mearn’s Quail season runs typically late in the year (December) to February.
• Blue Grouse – Blue Grouse, or Dusky Grouse, are another trophy game-bird that are found primarily in the higher elevations of Arizona, such as the well-known White Mountains. There are also populations in eastern Arizona, where spruce trees are found. Their home ranges and elevation make these grouse a challenging game bird.
• Chukar – If you had the opportunity to hunt these “Devil-Birds” in another state, be prepared to “hate/love” them in an all new way! Very small populations exist near the “Arizona Strip) in Northern Arizona. The terrain that they are often found in is very craggy and most hunters will have to put in 10-20 miles before shooting a single bird! Seasons start in late Summer/early Fall and have a current bag-limit of 5. Yeah. Good luck “limiting out”! Up for the challenge?
• Pheasant – Pheasant are the only bird on this list that require an application and drawing process. There is currently only one unit where they can be hunted, near Yuma. Permits are extremely limited, with a very small bag-limit. Currently, each permit is allotted two (tags) birds a season. The season is split into two for Youth Hunters and a Limited “Shotgun” Season, both only lasting a week.
• Band-Tailed Pigeon – Band Tailed Pigeons migrate through Mexico into Arizona for breeding, however, there are resident birds present in the state. This chance to hunt a rare cousin to the extinct Passenger Pigeon is unique in the country, as only a handful of states have hunt-able populations. The window for hunting seasons is small for Band Tails, usually in early Fall and only running a few weeks.
• Dove – If any other upland game bird were to rival quail in Arizona, it has to be dove! Mourning Dove, White-Winged Dove and other invasive species, like Eurasian Collared Dove can be found just about anywhere in Arizona! The highest concentration of doves in America is claimed by Yuma, Arizona! Every year, the sleepy agriculture town of Yuma is host to thousands of hunters for 15 glorious days of dove hunting in September! The early season start September 1st, followed by a late season which starts in November, typically.

Find current upland game regulations for Arizona here. Migratory upland game regulations here.

 

Licensing

Arizona is one of the few states that does not require a hunter-safety course (though if a minor under 14 plans to hunt big-game, they must take a mandatory safety course). You must reside in Arizona for 6 months and possess a valid ID to be considered a resident and to buy a resident Arizona hunting license. Despite that, I do encourage everyone who plans to hunt, take a safety course.

Non-Residents have an option to buy a combination hunting/fishing license or a short-term license for X-amount of days.

Both resident and non-resident minors under 10 may hunt upland game without a license when accompanied by a licensed adult.

If you plan to hunt Doves or Band-Tailed Pigeons in Arizona, you must also purchase a migratory bird-stamp as well.

There are complimentary licenses for seniors and disabled vets, as well as a “Mentor” license that encourages licensed hunters to take an apprentice out hunting.

Current licensing info can be found here.

 

The Good

Arizona offers a lot to the serious upland hunter. With expansive areas to hunt, a good ol’ bird hunter can spend a lifetime here, enjoying Upland Hunting Heaven! Outside/Inside just about every populace in Arizona, there is wildlife and upland game birds are not far. The Gambel’s Quail are the most common game-bird, along with dove. It doesn’t take long to find them out in the desert. Along with great upland game hunting, Arizona also offers great opportunities for Sandhill Crane, Snipe, and waterfowl! Is this a wing-shooters paradise, or what?

Limits are traditionally generous for Gambel’s, Scaled and California Quail. Currently 15 a day. Traditionally, quail season starts in early October (although that can/has changed).

If you are interested, you can complete the Arizona Quail Slam in one day! The AZ-Quail Slam consists of Gambel’s, Scaled and the Mearn’s Quail. All three of these have very close proximity ranges and if planned correctly, you can get your Slam out of the way in day!

Public land access is great in Arizona! Public land sentiment is positive, with most residents supporting Federal Public Lands! Hunter sentiment is also positive and Yuma is a great example of that!

Did I mention that Arizona is just dang-gorgeous? Have you even seen an Arizona sunset? You have never been in love…

 

The Bad

As mentioned earlier, the terrain and extreme weather is what makes Arizona a tough place to hunt. It is not uncommon for temps to still be hovering around 100 degrees during the early season. You cannot have enough water on you or in your vehicle. Be prepared… or risk injury or death. People die every year in the Arizona deserts. It’s not a joke.

The flora and fauna is often pokey, spiny and bitey out in the Arizona desert. Jumping Cholla is a menace to both hunter and dog alike. The other types of cactus are not friendly either. Be sure to have pliers and tweezers in your kit! Javelina are mean little pig-like bastards. They will chew up your dog (they HATE dogs). And they are known to charge people too (ask me why I know this)! Along with venomous snakes and a lizard, Arizona has some pretty stingy and bitey invertebrates too. So just be mindful.

These days (thanks in part to this current presidential administration) our public lands are more at risk than ever. Arizona public lands have long been the target of the greedy land-grabbers and now they have even more clout. These nefarious entities want nothing more but to sell off our public land, and Arizona public land has a huge target on it.

Arizona is also home to North America’s only highly endangered quails, the Masked Bobwhite Quail. Late 19th century over-grazing decimated the grassland that these rare quail depended on. The already rare Masked Bobwhite has slowly declined and there have been no recent sightings of wild birds. They are feared “extinct” in the wild, although there have been recent attempts to reintroduce captive birds. Previous attempts failed to retain viable populations.

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It may get hot as hell in Arizona. The javelina may have a taste for GSP’s. That cholla cactus spine that has been stuck in you for 9 months may still sting a little. These things may attempt to deter you. But the birds, the land… memories and oh, those sunsets… will bring you right back. If ever you hunt wild birds in Arizona… your soul will want to return. Again and again. And you shall.

Bring your shotgun… and plenty of shells (and WATER).

God Bless and Happy Hunting!

-J.R.

 

 

 

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