My passion is calling predators but small game and upland bird hunting is also a favorite. Unfortunately they are both "in" at the same time, fortunately we have an abundance of both! I can call predators until mid-morning put the rifle away pick up the shotgun and start walking for quail and/or rabbits. We are lucky enough to have all three Arizona species of quail in the area that we live in and a very liberal limit of 15 birds per day. This guy is a Gambel's, we also have Scaled and Mearns.
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I'm with you John, quail is my favorite AZ bird.
only ever had 1 chance at quail, when I was a kid I smoked a covey near the neighbors farm. They all went up and I dumped a bunch. Didnt realize the neighbor was raising them till grandpa gave me hell :nono: That was many moons ago.
Almost everyone that lives in the country here in AZ feeds and water the quail. We call them the "house covey". I have about 25 birds and 2 cottontail babies. The cottontails are so tame I wonder about their safety. I try to feed them without them knowing where the food ( dried 12 grain bread) comes from. I feed the quail with regular Wally World bird seed. The coyotes, neighborhood dogs and cats don't fare well on my property, its RedRider time when I catch them.
I dont think I've ever seen with with such brilliant yellow markings. Very cool.
Our are like a Bobwhite quail, all browns blacks and white.
Jim - Our mearns quail are similar to your bobwhites, they will even hold tight for a dog whereas the gambels and scaled quail will run like a pheasant.
Picture of hen scaled quail and cock gambels. Unfortunately they are starting to interbreed - started after Obama got elected :rolleye:
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Our inter-racial couple with youngsters"
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Yep thats what ours look like.
Interbreeding since the election uh? :laf: :laf: :laf:
So when they say it's gone to the birds, this is what they mean? :wink:
There use to be a lot of Quail in our area of SC but not anymore, sure do love them little chickens. cc
We used to have some bob whites.......dont even hear em anymore........ :sad:
I have never shot one as we never seemed to have very many......
i only have about 1000 quail in my back yard here in kentucky.....yall need me to send ya some lol :biggrin:
Send all ya want.......and if your with them when they get here I will take ya coyote huntin....... :biggrin: