Hunting outlook: quail, cottontail, deer and elk
By Mark Zornes, small game biologist, and Brian Wakeling, big game supervisor, Arizona Game and Fish Department

Quail

Early reports appear to confirm the department’s forecast that hunters should not expect a repeat of last year’s terrific season for Gambel’s quail, although those who do their homework and try new areas can find pockets of good-to-excellent hunting. Record-dry conditions statewide negatively impacted Gambel’s quail production, although some broods were brought off in localized areas. Renesting attempts and late broods occurred in some areas in response to better summer conditions. Carryover in many areas appears to be decent, so locations that supported a lot of birds last year likely will have a number of birds this year, but hunting will be a bit “sporty.” Reports indicate there aren’t many juveniles in these populations. Expect these coveys of older-aged birds to flush wild and challenge your endurance.

Hunting scaled quail will likely be mediocre at best, although this species can delay reproduction to coincide with the summer monsoon. Even so, hunters shouldn’t expect a repeat of last year, and nothing in the early reports has indicated otherwise. Again, those who scout will be most successful.

The season for Mearns’ quail will likely be decent in response to carryover and this summer’s monsoon. Recent surveying showed good numbers of coveys and birds in each covey. Look at the rainfall patterns, and scout the area for cover conditions to increase your chance for success. Remember, Mearns’ quail are a bird of grassland savannahs and require good grass cover interspersed with oaks or pines to survive. Some of the rougher habitats in Mearns’ country can provide the hunter with less company and good shooting.

Region I (Pinetop)

Quail hunting is rarely good here, except in the south end of Game Management Unit 27. Both Gambel’s and Mearns’ quail can be found in appropriate habitats. Since much of the region is unsuitable as quail habitat, finding huntable numbers can be a challenge. Mearns’ quail are found throughout the unit, but suitable habitats are widely scattered. A few scaled quail can be found, primarily in association with the Little Colorado River drainage. If you choose to pursue these birds, plan on spending more time chasing cottontails, since quail numbers are relatively low.

Region II (Flagstaff)

Quail hunting is limited due to lack of suitable habitat. Field personnel expect some fair Gambel’s quail hunting in the southern portion of Game Management Unit 6B and better hunting on the western end of the Arizona Strip in Unit 13B.

Region III (Kingman)

Region III will have some of the better quail hunting opportunities this year. Gambel’s hunting should be fair to good, with pockets being excellent. Post-season carryover was very good, and the hatch was better in this portion of the state than in most areas. Hunters can continue to expect some decent hunting, particularly from I-40 south toward Wickenburg. The eastern portions of this region likely will produce only fair Gambel’s hunting. Much of the region can be challenging for hunters and dogs, so be prepared for some demanding hunts.

Region IV (Yuma)

Region IV expects a decent year for Gambel’s quail, particularly along the larger riparian and agricultural areas. Don’t expect to find a lot of birds in the drier portions of the region.

Region V (Tucson)

Gambel’s quail call count data from this spring suggested that little, if any, reproduction occurred in much of Region V this year. In addition, Gambel’s numbers were lower in southeastern Arizona last year, so hunters can expect to find poor or mediocre Gambel’s quail hunting this season. Scaled quail hunting is also likely to be poor, with a few pockets of fair hunting. The bright spot will be Mearns’ quail, whose numbers were positively influenced by monsoon moisture and decent carryover. Quail abundance will correlate well with areas that received adequate precipitation and have good cover.

Region VI (Mesa)

Unlike last year, the best that central Arizona should offer this year is poor-to-fair Gambel’s quail hunting. Hunting will be decent in some areas, but covey composition will be skewed toward older-aged birds, increasing the challenge. As always, hunters should pre-scout, since significant areas had poor reproduction. Areas with good bird numbers last year will continue to produce opportunity. Expect to do more walking this year.

Cottontail

Once again, cottontail hunting should be very good throughout much of the state. Winter carryover and good summer rains allowed populations to maintain their upward trend. Hunters who choose not to hunt cottontails are doing themselves a disservice, since the meat is light, delicate and enjoyable. If you spend any time in washes, rocky foothills or areas of dense brush, you will encounter this species regularly this year. Cottontails offer a great opportunity to introduce a youngster to hunting. They provide a challenging hunt for old and young alike. Still-hunting (i.e., “sneaking”) along desert or mountain washes, ridgelines or in areas of dense brush, armed with a .22-caliber rifle, shotgun or archery equipment, can provide hours of enjoyment, hone your big game hunting skills and yield a great-tasting meal. Rabbit hunting before quail season gives you an opportunity to scout for other species and hunt without much competition. Taking advantage of Arizona’s multi-species opportunities can go a long way toward filling that freezer.

Region I (Pinetop)

Forecasts from all game management units in this region rate cottontail hunting from good to excellent.

Region II (Flagstaff)

Cottontail hunting will vary from fair to excellent. To maximize your chance for success, hunt the lower-elevation portions of units north of the Colorado River. The best hunting south of the Grand Canyon will likely occur in Unit 6B.

Region III (Kingman)

Cottontails have been reported to be abundant and may yield some of the better cottontail hunting in the state this year. Units 10, 16A, 17A, 17B and 19A likely will have some of the best opportunities. Much of the region is suitable habitat for this species, presenting many opportunities.

Region IV (Yuma)

Cottontails are abundant this year. Any of the larger washes, brushy foothills, river margins and agricultural borders should provide ample opportunities for the cottontail hunter.

Region V (Tucson)

Cottontail hunting will be good this year in the lower and middle elevations. Get out early and enjoy some of the best hunting of the year.

Region VI (Mesa)

Central Arizona should offer some good-to-excellent cottontail hunting. Despite dry winter conditions, cottontails carried over well throughout the winter, and this summer’s moisture has produced a bumper crop of young rabbits. Hunters should concentrate their efforts around desert washes and in the rocky foothills.

Deer

Statewide, deer fawn recruitment increased for both white-tailed deer and mule deer for a second year. Yearling bucks (spikes and forkhorns) may be available in many units this year. Do not expect droves of deer, but you should note a moderate improvement in numbers, and possibly in size.

Regions I through IV are known mainly for mule deer and provide good hunting opportunities for this species. Even with recent improvement, Region IV mule deer tend to be in low-density herds, so plan to wear out the seat of your pants using binoculars rather than boots to be successful. This can be an important strategy regardless of where you hunt, but is more difficult in forests. Mule deer numbers in Regions V and VI are also stable to slightly increasing.

Regions V and VI have the most popular white-tailed deer units, and glassing is essential for finding these elusive ghosts. Increases in fawn recruitment from last year should translate into more young bucks this year. Look closely: Many “skin heads” turn out to be young bucks on further scrutiny. Regions I and II have lesser-known but excellent white-tailed deer hunts. Areas recovering from recent fires can be productive, especially near steep terrain and canyons that white-tails seem to favor.

Regardless of where you were drawn this year, know the boundaries of your unit. Check your tag to be certain of the area for which you were drawn. Every year a few hunters assume they were drawn for their first choice when they were actually drawn for an alternate unit, but don’t find out otherwise until they get to camp, or, worse yet, until a wildlife manager checks their harvested deer. It can be an expensive mistake. And don’t forget to sign your tag.

Elk

Although fall survey data is preliminary, many areas are reporting good calf numbers and favorable bull:cow ratios. Elk habitat that suffered from fires two to five years ago is producing good herbaceous vegetation as a result of summer rains. In addition to recruitment, favorable forage conditions are also good for antler development, although the dry winter may have reduced their overall potential. Those with antlerless permits may be in luck. Mountain men in the 1800s were convinced that “fat cow” was far better than “poor bull” for table fare, and younger animals are more tender and generally easier (lighter) to pack out. For those looking for larger antlered bulls, search somewhat off the beaten path (but not necessarily a long way off). Herds that are expanding their range often include more mature bulls. Some of the largest bulls we have seen were at lower elevations in what many consider to be pronghorn habitat.

Regions I and II (Pinetop, Flagstaff)
Wildfires did not play a large role this year. Older burned areas are going to be attractive to elk. Elk often respond to early accumulations of snowfall by moving to lower elevations, but a single snowfall event will not immediately drive all elk out of an area. Rainfall and snow can cause unfavorable road conditions. Always try to minimize the impact you have on primitive roads.

Region III (Kingman)
Elk populations have been productive and wide-ranging. Much of the elk habitats are large landscapes with interspersed pinyon-juniper woodland. These animals can be highly mobile and may seem to vaporize once hunts begin. Being in the field early and late can be important, especially later in the hunt. This strategy can be critical regardless of your unit and region.

Region V (Tucson) and Region VI (Mesa)
Although Region V has elk hunts in Units 28 and 31, these areas are managed for elk at low densities. These can be tough hunts in nontraditional areas. You may need more than your share of good luck to be successful. Region VI elk populations are doing well. Units 22 and 23 continue to be good producers of quality animals.

Virtually any unit in Arizona has the potential to produce a record-book bull. To make the most of your opportunity, be certain that your rifle is shooting accurately before you get to the field. Judging distances can be more challenging with elk hunting than with virtually any other hunt. Distances in forested habitat just seem closer than they really are; you expect long distances with pronghorn or deer hunting, but mistakes that change the outcome of a hunt are easy to make when pursuing elk.