A Shot at the Slam

Mearns Quail Country
Mearns Quail Country

The rest of the neighborhood was still asleep when I backed the truck out of the driveway and eased onto the I10. I was headed south with my buddies, Kyle and Landon to see if we could put a few Mearns quail in our game bags. We would be working behind the hard hunting pup, Chase, in some of the prettiest countryside in the state.

As we arrived at our destination, we saw that the harsh Sonoran desert had given way to the oaks and grasses of southern Arizona, and we shrugged into our vests, loaded our guns, and set out.  We made two big pushes in the morning and hunted hard, but came up empty. Tired and a bit wore out, we settled in the shade, made lunch, and talked about a new game plan.

Mearns Quail Hunting
Mearns Quail Hunting
Tools of the trade
Tools of the trade
Tailgate Lunch
Tailgate lunch
Mearns Quail Hunting
Living the high life

Recharged from lunch, we set out into a new canyon, faithfully following the relentless Chase. As we worked up the canyon, talking about fly fishing and the trips that we had planned in the coming year, we were interrupted by a covey of Mearns quail bursting from the brush next to us. It caught all of us, including Chase, completely off guard, but Landon was able to get his gun up and knock down a bird. Marking where they landed we set out, prepared for the covey rise and were rewarded for our efforts. The canyon proved to be the mother-load when we found 3 distinct coveys, which made for some very fine shooting. Spirits were high as we made our way back to the truck with birds in our game bags, and we couldn’t believe our good fortune.

Mearns Quail Hunting
My first male of the day
Mearns Quail Hunting
Sweet Success
Mearns Quail Hunting
A beautiful pair of Mearns quail
Mearns quail hunting
Kyle working a cut
Mearns Quail
Chase and a hard earned male Mearns Quail
Mearns & Wingworks
Mearns & Wingworks: A Winning Combo

We decided to check out another spot, but on our way, I pulled truck over abruptly to watch a covey of quail sail off into the tall grass. I got a good look at one of them and knew that they were scaled quail. Ecstatic at the thought, we quickly geared up and followed the birds through the thick brush. Landon, again with some fine shooting, brought down two birds. We moved further into the field and at that moment, a quail flushed in front of me and I knocked it to the ground with a blast from the bottom barrel. As I walked up to pick up the bird, I was surprised to see that it was not a scaled quail but a Gambel’s. My brief disappointment was immediately trumped by a rush of excitement. I yelled to the others about my discovery and instantly our passive “have a good time” mindset rose to high-strung determination to get the Arizona quail slam – Mearns, Scaled, and Gambel’s all in a day.

It didn’t take Landon long, as Chase quickly went on point, and Landon knocked down a Gambel’s. Congratulations were flying all around as we admired his three beautiful birds beside each other. It was a pretty cool experience to see the three unique male birds all in a row.

Back at it, Kyle and I hunted hard right till the end, making pushes through brush and grass trying to find the elusive scaled quail. But when it was all over, we never ended up finding that original covey of scalies. As the light faded from the sky, we cleaned our hard-earned prizes and talked about the great points by Chase and the shots we wish we should have connected on. In the end, as we drove down the headlight lit dirt road, I knew that I would be back. It was a fantastic day in the field, but it made me want the Arizona quail slam even more.

Gambel's Quail
Gambel’s Quail
Arizona Quail Slam
Landon and his Arizona Quail Slam
Arizona Quail Slam
Landon’s Arizona Quail Slam
Scaled and Gambel's Country
Scaled and Gambel’s Country

 

19 Responses to “A Shot at the Slam”

  1. SWYD

    Great write up, i’m sure all summer i’ll come back here and reminisce about this truly wonderful day. Thanks so much for helping with this trip. We will get the slam next year!

    Reply
    • azwanderings

      Thanks for letting me hunt behind Chase. Looking forward to the hunt next season.

      Ben

      Reply
  2. Josh Houchin

    I really enjoyed this post man. I have only ever taken scaled and bobwhite quail but I hope to change that soon. In the meantime I will continue to live vicariously through Arizona Wanderings. Keep up the great work!

    Reply
    • azwanderings

      Thanks so much Josh. Anytime you’re down this way, look me up. Best of luck in your upcoming move and thank you for your service.

      Ben

      Reply
  3. Tres

    Nice write up. Chase is a good looking dog. That might be the next breed of dog I get.

    Reply
    • azwanderings

      Thanks Tres. Chase is a good pup and Kyle and Landon have worked hard with him. Definitely talk to either of them and they can steer you in the right direction.

      Ben

      Reply
  4. David G

    Maybe it is because I tie and am getting used to what fish like to eat, but these look delicious! For human consumption. I have never eaten one. The thrill of the chase makes it seem more appetizing. The write up and the photos help as well. Thanks, now I have to learn how to hunt. It is a good read Ben!

    Reply
    • azwanderings

      David,

      These birds are awesome table fare. Truly some of my favorite game meat. I know you love the outdoors and NM has some fantastic quail country. Give it a try.

      Ben

      Reply
      • Tres

        Yup. Plenty of them in NM. Used to have them running around in my bsckyard back home.

        Reply
  5. Doug

    Ben and crew, what a great day afield! Superior pictures as always and I was with you each step of the way by the written word. I’ve only once harvested two species, scalies and Gambel’s and then Mearns’ and scalies, never the slam. Ah to dream.

    Reply
  6. Landon

    Fabulous report and pictures as always Ben. Thank you for taking me along and many thanks to Kyle for serving as our guide.

    Reply
  7. Bryan C

    Ben, great to read about your hunt. I got a quail slam on my first day ever hunting in AZ. Definitely dumb, beginner’s luck since in nearly 20 years of hunting AZ I’ve yet to do it again. Granted Mearn’s numbers were higher then (and probably the desert quail too) but it has made me appreciate that first day even more over the years.

    Really enjoy your writing and let’s hope for rain.

    Reply
    • azwanderings

      Thanks Brian and congrats on your early slam. I appreciate the kind words.

      Ben

      Reply
  8. Larry

    Looks like a good day man, love those Mearns.. need to bag a few for the feather box under the tying bench..

    Reply
    • azwanderings

      Thanks Larry. There’s always a spot for you if you want to make it down this way. Definitely a fun hunt.

      Ben

      Reply

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