Arizona Wildlife Views Magazine

Editor's note: This article is a sample of the useful information published in Arizona Wildlife Views magazine. For the current year's small game hunting forecast, visit the 2008-09 Small Game Hunting Outlook page.

"Small Game Hunting Forecast 07-08,"
by Kevin Barnes

A wise old hunter once told me that when you live in a state like Arizona, which experiences dramatic changes in precipitation, you are better off shifting your hunting tactics and focusing on what is most abundant in any given year. With Arizona currently experiencing drought, the 2007–08 small game season represents an opportunity to explore the state, expand your horizons and consider other hunting options.

Many small game hunters rely on the charismatic Gambel’s quail, Arizona’s most popular upland game species, for a majority of their hunting opportunity. However, the upcoming desert quail season is predicted to be below average. A majority of the state experienced a dry fall, winter and spring, so quail populations have declined statewide to varying degrees. Gambel’s quail, which rely on winter precipitation and spring green-up for successful reproduction, will be most affected by the lack of winter precipitation. Areas with high densities of Gambel’s quail last year likely will continue to have fair quail numbers, although coveys will contain fewer juvenile birds.

So what is a dedicated Gambel’s hunter to do? Even if the desert quail season isn’t great, there are plenty of other small game opportunities available to Arizona hunters. The logical place to start is with the variety of upland game birds.

Upland Game Birds

If you traditionally hunt Gambel’s quail in central Arizona, consider mounting an expedition to the southeast corner of the state to pursue scaled quail. These birds can be found in the rolling grasslands of the Sulpher Springs and San Bernardino valleys. Surprisingly, these areas actually received above-average winter precipitation this year, so quail populations should begin to recover from several years of very poor reproduction. This should equate to slightly better than fair hunting for scaled quail.

This portion of the state has a large amount of private property, so hunters should be aware of where they are hunting. To avoid conflict with private landowners (and a citation), honor all road closure and no trespassing signs.

Another upland bird option is to trade in cholla cactus for oak trees in pursuit of the elusive Mearns’ quail. These birds inhabit oak woodlands in the Huachuca and Chiricahua mountains. Last year’s Mearns’ quail season was noteworthy, and initial rainfall data for the 2007 monsoon indicate that another decent season may be in the offing. To successfully hunt this tight-holding quail, use hunting dogs; without a dog, it is possible to walk by dozens of birds and never even see one.

If you desire the exotic — from the perspective of us desert guys — escape to the higher elevations in search of dusky grouse (formerly “blue grouse”). Dusky grouse can be found in mixed conifer forests in the White, Chuska and Lukachukai mountains, as well as on the North Kaibab Plateau and in the San Francisco Peaks area. In these same areas, you can hunt band-tailed pigeon, which has the same season opening date as dusky grouse, Sept. 14. Although the season for band-tailed pigeon closes earlier than that for dusky grouse, these two birds represent a productive combination hunt. It is important to note that Game Management Units 4A and 5A are closed to grouse hunting.

In addition to dusky grouse and band-tailed pigeon, huntable populations of chukar live in the state. These birds can be found in the rough canyon country north of the Grand Canyon. Snake Gulch and Kanab Creek are excellent starting points for attempting this hunt. Because grouse, band-tailed pigeon and chukar are all in season during the same portion of the year, with a little planning, it is even possible to hunt all three species during the same trip.

Squirrels

Hunting opportunities are not limited to upland bird hunting. This year, squirrel hunting should be decent to above average in most parts of the state. Although Arizona has four species of huntable tree squirrels, the most abundant and widespread is the tassel-eared or Abert’s squirrel. This squirrel occurs in ponderosa pine habitats above and below the Mogollon Rim, the rim north and south of the Grand Canyon, the White Mountains and the Chuskas.

The best way to hunt tree squirrels is to look for fresh sign (cone scales, twig cuttings and stripped cones) in ponderosa pine forests and then start a search from there. The crack of dawn is not the best time to hunt tassel-eared squirrels — mid-morning and evening are best. Again, several upland bird species can be hunted in conjunction with squirrel for even more hunting opportunity. When preparing for a squirrel hunt, do not forget to bring your children — squirrels provide a wonderful introduction to hunting.

Rabbit

Another species that can be pursued is the cottontail rabbit. As usual, hunters can expect satisfactory cottontail rabbit hunting this year. This often-overlooked, great-tasting game animal provides a welcome addition to the hunter’s bag, whether alone or in combination with dove and quail. If you spend any time in washes, rocky foothills or areas of dense brush, you will encounter this species regularly this year. As with squirrels, cottontails offer a great opportunity for youngsters.

Dove and Waterfowl

Arizona always is a first-rate place to hunt dove. Surveys indicate that a higher-than-normal percentage of white-winged dove may end up in the hunting vest this year. The abundance of white-winged dove during the early season is completely dependent on when these birds start their migration south; so if we experience an average to late start to the migration, there will be more white-winged dove to harvest.

A great late-season hunt combines dove and ducks (and an occasional quail). Jump-hunting ducks on earthen stock tanks provides great shooting and the excitement of never knowing exactly what duck species you may encounter. In fact, even geese are occasionally present on larger stock tanks late in the season. The same stock tanks you are jumping for ducks are a magnet for mourning dove. Unlike the early season, in the late season mourning dove can be hunted until sunset, which allows the hunter to intercept these birds as they come to water. There are restrictions on carrying lead shot while hunting waterfowl, so please consult the hunting regulations and make sure you are familiar with these laws.

This article was published in the September-October 2007 issue of Arizona Wildlife Views magazine. To subscribe or give a gift, order online or call (800) 777-0015.

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