Scaled quail, similar to gambels quail at the end of the season can be hard to hunt because they are very wary and run like little track stars. All texas state parks, many tpwd sites, public recreation facilities and water access points are closed. Gambels quail callipepla gambelii is a small grounddwelling bird in the new world quail family. The public lands in the bootheel of new mexico are a hunters paradisegorgeous and rugged country filled with history, big. Were here to help you plan your next hunting adventure. The vast majority of the birds are the gentlemanly bobwhite, but there are a few coveys of blue or scaled quail to be found. I saw a few threads about this, but they were from so long ago, i thought id start a new thread.
This first trip to new mexico was a learning trip for us. New mexico quail hunting forecast 2019 quail forever. I need to get a couple of elk on the ground first, but i should be good to go for the opener on the 15. Here in mexico, it is the elegant quail, not the california quail, that is found at higher elevations in tropical dry forest, which is characterized by fig trees, kapok trees and a kind of columnar cactus called etcho. We didnt go back where we had found birds the day before, we wanted to learn about other areas, close to where we were staying.
Mearns quail hunting in new mexico new mexico tourism. The population is so incredibly high because pairs have 3 and sometimes 4 hatches per year. Gambels and scaled quail can be found in greatest abundance on blm lands south of deming. New mexico hunting seasons, 20192020 hunting season hq. Raising flight conditioned bobwhite quail and chukar partridges. Of all of the game trejo hunts, coues deer and mearns quail are.
Just walking behind these dogs and watching them work is a pleasure in itself. Prefers open areas of dry grassland with mixed cactus and shrubbery pale gray overall, with a distinctive scaled pattern on the neck, chest and underside. Oklahoma surveys show quail numbers up as 2019 season gets. Quail populations are highly dependent on precipitation and, in recent years, new mexico has seen improved snow and rain accumulations. For those with their own dogs i have guides without dogs that will be able to take you to good quail country. New jersey new jersey saltwater fishing new jersey hunting new jersey freshwater fishing. The blue quail numbers in new mexico this year were reported to be really high. Stokley ligon, published by the university of new mexico press. Quail hunting in new mexico needs a professional outfitter to make a perfect trip. New mexico elk hunters can obtain a privateland hunt or public draw hunt permit, but not both in the same year. At no time may any quail or covey be shot while resting on the.
Mainly quail scaledblue and occasional bobwhites, hunts for mearns may be arranged upon guide availability. Scaled quail are found in the arid regions of arizona, new mexico, texas, colorado, kansas, oklahoma, and central mexico. Last year, while the dry spring seemed to hamper early reproductive areas, august counts showed that plenty of late broods showed up. We visit a farm in logan county that holds plenty of wild quail. However, many are surprised to learn that we have fantastic pheasant hunting there, too. Hunters should focus on areas of semiarid rangelands with mixed scrub shrubs, grass, and barren ground. Scaled quail inhabit most of the land of enchantment state, except in the higher elevation areas and are linked to the desert grasslands. Eurasian collareddoves, grouse, pheasant, quail and squirrel. Big game hunting in new mexico is an awesome experience, but sometimes the tags are hard to come by.
Coyotes are a common animal in the whole state of new mexico. There are also populations of squirrels, cottontails, snowshoe hair, jackrabbits, marmots, and prairie dogs. December will be the mearns quail deployment to mountains of southern arizona followed by gambles quail in arizona and blue quail in new mexico. Most people are aware of the excellent quail hunting in mexico for both the gambel and california quail. Permits for public land hunting called elk draw licenses have varying season dates. New mexico hunting seasons, 20192020 new mexico offers not only an outstanding game variety, but also beautiful, scenic views to enjoy. The santa fe guiding company manages over 300,000 acres of private lands and operates by special use permits on millions of federal land acres spread across southern new mexico producing fantastic wild quail hunts year after year. From the guys, in the motel that we talked to, scaled quail dont move around early in the morning. Mild winters and timely moisture in states like arizona and new mexico brought some muchneeded improvement in desert quail numbers, while across the southern and central plains and areas of the southeast, heavy spring rains put a damper on early nesting success in many areas, but also helped stoke excellent summer cover. I have a guide available dec 2930 and jan 78 we hunt mainly scaled quail a trip for mearns may possibly be arranged. Products used gbx winchester sx4 winchester model 101. Distrito federal, mexico afternoons are devoted to pass shooting mourning doves as they fly into the vast fields to feed, or pursuing gambel quail in brushed covered dunes located around the fields and irrigation canals. For complete information and license requirements, consult the current oklahoma hunting and fishing regulations guide found online at, on the go outdoors oklahoma free mobile app for apple or android devices, or in print across the state wherever.
Sept rains are appreciated, but have little effect on the bird numbers for this season. New mexico scaled quail hunting dave brown outfitters fly. There is a total bag limit of 15 per day and 30 in possession, except for montezuma quail. New mexico scaled quail hunting dave brown outfitters. I live in las cruces, and was thinking about getting into raising quail.
Gambels quail hunting trips, guides and oufitters guidefitter. If you plan to go outside, stay close to home and check the status of the location youre planning to visit. New mexico hunting license texas hunting license hunt costs. New mexico quail hunting and guiding service quail hunting. January is a toss up and for the last several years has been nebraska for pheasant, oklahoma for bob whites. We drove to the north west looking the country over. Nov 29, 2016 those ready for a challenging hunt may want to dust off a shotgun and head to southeastern new mexico in search of quail. Those ready for a challenging hunt may want to dust off a shotgun and head to southeastern new mexico in search of quail.
Often times its more like quail shooting than quail hunting in the hedgerows along the grain fields. New mexico offers a statewide general season, though harvest limits may vary by area. Upland game are found in most habitats throughout the state, from mountains to desert. Feb 19, 2019 we visit a farm in logan county that holds plenty of wild quail. How to identify scaled quail habitat project upland magazine.
Quail, dusky grouse, pheasant, eurasian collareddoves, and several squirrel species. New mexico mearns quail season november 15 february 15, 2020. We offer guided hunts for quail, grouse, pheasant, ducks, geese, turkey, antelope and elk across the great state of new mexico. Wild quail hunting on huge private ranches and vast wild lands of new mexico is the sport of kings. Resident upland game provide vast opportunities for both hunters and wildlife observers in new mexico. Right now i keep a small flock of chickens, and was thinking of branching out. Quail hunting in new mexico, day 1 traveling pointing. Information by species for in depth hunting and license information for a specific animal, please reference the new mexico hunting rules and info which is available in print and pdf formats. Been seeing a lot of birds on the west side of town during my wanderings, mostly scalies this year, cant wait to head south with a pocket full of shells and my running shoes. The best deer, elk, bear and other big game outfitters in texas, colorado and beyond are right here on guidefitter. Southeast new mexico is your best bet for quail hunting. Raising quail in new mexico backyard chickens learn. We are currently developing generalized informational pages for new mexico s big game, upland game, furbearers, turkey, migratory game bird, and. Although ace and crush had already completed previous loops,i wanted to do my final loop of the season with two young dogs.
Department head, department of extension animal sciences and natural resources, new mexico state university. According to our public lands, popular game species in new mexico include deer, elk, quail, dove, pheasants, and teal, while lesser hunted species include pronghorn and javelina and exotics like oryx, persian ibex, and barbary sheep. A research study in eastern new mexico found improved reproduction this year compared to last, notes cardinal. Elk,deer,oryx,turkey,lodging,antelope,sheep,dove,stc outfitting,steve connor,predators, quail, new mexico,private,public. The mearns quail is unique among the american quailsuch as the much more common gambels or scaled quailin conduct, home range, and ways of procuring food, according to new mexico birds and where to find them, a 1961 encyclopedia by j. Feb 19, 2017 although ace and crush had already completed previous loops,i wanted to do my final loop of the season with two young dogs. New mexico is one of the few states that offer four different species of quail to hunters and birdwatchers. Quail hunting season in oklahoma opened nov 9 and runs to feb 15, 2020. Quail hunting behind pointing dogs is like nothing else. While quail populations will dwindle during times of drought, they rebound quickly when precipitation begins to fall during specific times of the year, such as winter and spring for gambels quail. With ample public land and the opportunity to hunt four different species of quail bobwhite, scaled, mearns and gambels new mexico is an. Nov 15, 2019 wild quail hunting on huge private ranches and vast wild lands of new mexico is the sport of kings.
And that just might be the best reason of all to grab a shotgun, your upland game vest and a box or two of no. The public lands in the bootheel of new mexico are a hunters paradisegorgeous and rugged country filled with history, big game, and. Within minutes crush was backing ace, both relocated as i tried tohook around to come in to the points from the front,nothing happened. Everything you need to plan your new mexico hunting trips for 2020. New mexico hunters can choose from scaled, gambels and mearns quail. There are oil wells everywhere and they build roads between wells that you can drive on. The santa fe guiding company is the number one source for planning your quail hunting excursion.
New mexico department of game and fish 20192020 new. This area of new mexico has a lot of bureau of land management blm land and a lot of state land. For mearns quail, look to the sacramento and capitan mountains or the gila national forest. New mexico upland bird hunting information, season limits, bag limits, species overviews and quick links to new mexico dnr and hunting licenses. New mexico conducts surveys each august to identify quailpopulation trends, so current numbers are hard to come by. New mexico quail hunting and guiding service quail.
Raising quail in new mexico backyard chickens learn how. Last year was perhaps the poorest gambels season in my memory. Elk,deer,oryx,turkey,lodging,antelope,sheep,dove,stc outfitting,steve connor,predators,quail,new mexico,private,public. With a fair to good quail forecast in place across most of the southwest, this season looks to be one of golden opportunity for arizona and new mexico quail hunters who are intent on getting.
We have been in business for 10 years and hunt private land. New mexico bird hunting, desert quail and grouse ultimate upland. New mexico gambels quail season november 15 february 15, 2020. Quail are a relatively shortlived species relying on high productivity over a short period of time. The land of enchantment is one of few states that offer unusual game, such as barbary sheep, oryx and persian ibex. Feb 16, 2018 steve continues his quail hunting road trip into eastern new mexico hunting blue quail with his 8monthold kleine munsterlander, jetta. Dove season is a great chance to get some new hunters in the field.
In a typical season, we will harvest around 2,500 birds from our lodge alone. Gambels quail hunting in new mexico l to r oz, muda, axle. It inhabits the desert regions of arizona, california, colorado, new mexico, nevada, utah, texas, and sonora. All licenses must be applied for in march of each year.
Overall, however, cardinal says it was a pretty good early season hatch across quail range in southern new mexico, and there are still a good number of young that made it to fall. The nm quail season is under way and we are having a great start. Oct 26, 2019 if you plan to go outside, stay close to home and check the status of the location youre planning to visit. New mexico quail hunting directory quail plantations. Flushing 1520 or more coveys in a single day is common, and you wont have to get up before dawn if you decide to hunt them all day. The full departmentwide calendar can be found under home nmdgf calendar. Hunting lodges in new mexico new mexico quail hunting new. Cecelia, 12 and sophia, 9 on the dove opener with my gunner scanning the skies for incoming. Hunting lodges in new mexico new mexico quail hunting. Four different species of quail can be found in new mexico, but you will only see three in this video. While hunting quail its not unusual to see more pheasants. Steve continues his quail hunting road trip into eastern new mexico hunting blue quail with his 8monthold kleine munsterlander, jetta. On the hunt for the iconic mearns quail in southwestern new mexico.
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