NEWS RELEASE
Oct. 17, 2025
PHOENIX — Those record-setting rains that soaked most of the state, including the Valley, in late September and again last week?
Well, if you’re a bird hunter, keep your fingers crossed that more rain is on the way over the next few months so quail populations get a needed boost in 2026-2027. Fortunately, quail populations have the ability to quickly recover when adequate precipitation occurs.
In the meantime, it’s shaping up to be a challenging year to locate Gambel’s, scaled and California quail when the statewide general season opens Friday, Oct. 17, and runs through Feb. 8, 2026.
“Conditions have been extremely dry over the past year,” said Dr. Larisa Harding, small game program manager for the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD). “For desert birds, there were good numbers on the ground going into the winter, but the 2024-2025 winter saw little precipitation and virtually no “green-up” this past spring to support breeding activity or chick-rearing.
“All annual spring call counts for Gambel’s quail were low this year, indicating less breeding and reproduction. Those call counts are a good predictor of what hunters can expect to see in the fall: When the counts are high, harvest numbers tend to be high. Likewise, when the counts are down, hunters can expect lower harvest.”
Meanwhile, hunters should note that the season for Montezuma (or Mearns’) quail doesn’t begin until Friday, Dec. 5. Again, the ongoing drought conditions have impacted population numbers for these birds — numbers already lower after a dry summer in 2024.
“As a result, Game and Fish encourages hunters to voluntarily exercise restraint this season — in other words, harvest fewer birds than the limits allow, limit your harvest within individual coveys, and enjoy the other benefits of being outdoors,” Harding said.
The season for Gambel’s, scaled and California quail opens Friday, Oct. 17, and runs through Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026. Montezuma, or Mearns’, quail can be hunted starting Friday, Dec. 5, through Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026.
The general bag limit is 15 quail per day in the aggregate, of which no more than eight may be Montezuma, or Mearns’, quail. The general possession limit is 45 quail in the aggregate after opening day, of which no more than 15 Gambel’s, scaled or California quail in the aggregate may be taken in any one day. After the opening of the Montezuma, or Mearns’, season, the 45-quail possession limit may include 24 Montezuma, or Mearns’, quail, of which no more than eight may be taken in any one day.
A valid Arizona hunting or combination license is required for all hunters 10 and older. Those hunters under 10 must either have a valid hunting or combination license, or be accompanied by an adult who possesses a valid hunting or combination license. Licenses can be purchased online or at license dealers statewide. A youth combination license (ages 10 to 17) is $5.
More quail-hunting information can be found on the department’s website. Another resource for both new and experienced hunters alike is “An Introduction to Hunting Arizona’s Small Game.” Written by Randall D. Babb, the 196-page, full-color book covers where and how to hunt small game birds (like quail), squirrels, rabbits, ducks and geese. It also includes how to prepare and cook your harvest, with illustrations and recipes.
The book can be ordered for $16.95 at www.azgfd.gov/publications.