Little puffs of dust rose from every footstep. With the light just cresting the surrounding hills, the desert was eerily silent. The smell of mesquite hung in the air as I shrugged into my hunting vest, and I spot checked to make sure I had the necessities for a few hours in the desert. With the truck locked up, I turned up the wash and headed toward a couple of springs that I knew, in hopes of finding a covey or two of Gambel’s quail.
About a half hour into my walk, I still hadn’t seen or heard any birds. What I did see was a half dozen shells littered around on the walk in, which means I’m not the only one who knows about these springs. Someone had probably come in here on opening day while I was hard a work. Such is life.
I only heard a couple of birds throughout the morning and I was able to only put up one covey. I dropped on bird as it rose, but 20 minutes of searching still left the game bag empty. The springs were all dried up and the desert was a bit on the crispy side. I have a feeling its going to be a long Arizona quail season.
Wow. That sucks. I was trying to get out all weekend but my hunting buddy wasn’t available.
I had high hopes after seeing multiple chick hatches throughout the summer and decent precipitation that this was not going to be like last year’s quail season. I guess I’ll just have to get out and see how the quail fared around here.
I hear you Colton. Looks like it’s going to be a tough year.
Ben
Even though you didn’t bring home any birds, at least you got out and had some fun. Great photographs too.
Thanks Ricky. It was still good to get out into the desert. Quail country is rough but beautiful.
Ben
You did much better than you would have sitting on your couch. Failure only makes success (or revenge!) that much sweeter.
Thanks Kirk.
Ben
I got a big goose egg too. The good news, I think the Mearns will be way up. Lots of summer rains down South. We’ll find the Gambel’s though just needs to cool off!
I agree Kyle. Hopefully those birds down south have faired well and flourished. Should be fun to see.
Ben