When scaled quail hunting, many bird hunters have a preconceived notion and visualize only the southwest with its sandy arroyos, mesquite, and cacti. A publicland quail hunting adventure in new mexico. As elevation drops, grass gives way to the cacti and thorny shrubs of the sonoran desert where gambels quail ascend to primacy. Search for quail hunting opportunities on public and leased land with an annual public hunting permit. Each type of land has different regulations, so it is important to check it before every hunting trip. New mexico scaled quail hunting dave brown outfitters. Four different species of quail can be found in new mexico, but you will only see three in this video.
Hunting lodges in new mexico new mexico quail hunting. The 201920 new mexico small game hunting rules and information includes seasons for upland game and migratory game birds. This first trip to new mexico was a learning trip for us. Overall, however, cardinal says it was a pretty good early season hatch across quail range in southern new mexico, and there are still a good. Were here to help you plan your next hunting adventure. To maintain healthy bear populations, each zone can be closed to hunting once the overall limit is achieved or a separate limit on the harvest of females is reached. Wild quail hunting on huge private ranches and vast wild lands of new mexico is the sport of kings. Permits for public land hunting called elk draw licenses have varying season dates. You will have the opportunity to hunt two different species of quail, both unique from this region. All licenses must be applied for in march of each year. New mexico has more than one area that is great for hunting these birds, but those wanting to bring home some wholesome quail meat for the table should consider the southeastern part of the state.
Steve continues his quail hunting road trip into eastern new mexico hunting blue quail with his 8monthold kleine. The mearns quail is unique among the american quailsuch as the much more common gambels or scaled quailin conduct, home range, and ways of procuring food, according to new mexico birds and where to find them, a 1961 encyclopedia by j. Quail, dusky grouse, pheasant, eurasian collareddoves, and several squirrel species. New mexico quail wild quail hunting over pointing dogs the way it was meant to be. And that just might be the best reason of all to grab a shotgun, your upland game vest and a box or two of no.
The santa fe guiding company is the number one source for planning your quail hunting excursion. New mexico quail hunting guides and outfitters hunting. Rules and regulations for migratory game can be found here. The santa fe guiding company manages over 300,000 acres of private lands and operates by special use permits on millions of federal land acres spread across southern new mexico producing fantastic wild quail hunts year after year. Scaled quail new mexico hunting upland game bird photo by j. Hunting in new mexico whether youre hunting grouse, squirrels, quail or waterfowl, or holding out for that elusive trophy bull elk, mule deer or pronghorn, new mexico s hunting opportunities are as abundant and diverse as its terrain and habitat. This is the normal habitat for the birds we will hunt the birds. The most common foul hunted in new mexico are quail and dove, followed. Although ace and crush had already completed previous loops,i wanted to do my final loop of the season with two young dogs.
Information about big game and turkey hunting regulations, license requirements and fees is provided online in the 201920 new mexico hunting rules and information. Steve continues his quail hunting road trip into eastern new mexico hunting blue quail with his 8monthold kleine munsterlander, jetta. New mexico quail hunting directory quail plantations. Quail are a relatively shortlived species relying on high productivity over a short period of time. Thats down from the previous census when there were 539. Mearns quail hunting in new mexico new mexico tourism. The best area last season was in the oilfield east of artesia in an area just south of carlsbad north to dexter. So, that makes vaughn a fine place to hunt because good hunting ground is often situated in places where everybody else isnt. These quail include scaled quail, gambels quail, northern bobwhite, and montezuma quail. New mexico and arizona spread a cornucopia of quail across surprisingly dry landscapes. A research study in eastern new mexico found improved reproduction this year compared to last, notes cardinal. All about deepening the connection with news roadrunner greater roadrunner students new mexico quail season 2018 publications new mexico department game fish taos ski valley snow report new mexico wild quail hunt scaled bobwhite mearns upland january 19 2016 there are few places in north america to successfully hunt the elusive mountain quail to.
New mexico is one of the few states that offer four different species of quail to hunters and birdwatchers. Vince dye and i loaded our dogs and drove to hobbs new mexico on monday, the tenth of february. New mexico quail hunting and guiding service quail. How to identify scaled quail habitat project upland magazine. You must have a game license and stamp package prior to applying this is refundable if you are unsuccessful in the draw. December will be the mearns quail deployment to mountains of southern arizona followed by gambles quail in arizona and blue quail in new mexico. Quail are some of the most popular game birds in eddy county and southeast new mexico, said dan williams, spokesman with the new mexico department of game and fish. But even good hunting ground goes through tough seasons.
Just walking behind these dogs and watching them work is a pleasure in itself. If quail are your primary target, you can sleep in in the morning and have a leisurely breakfast before heading for the fields. Gambels quail hunting in new mexico l to r oz, muda, axle. A research study in eastern new mexico found improved reproduction. We didnt go back where we had found birds the day before, we wanted to learn about other areas, close to where we were staying. Forecasting quail abundance can be a bit like predicting the wexather, but regardless of their numbers, quail hunting provides a wonderful opportunity for families to spend time together in the outdoors. The mearns quail is unique among the american quail such as the much more common gambels or scaled quail in conduct, home range, and ways of procuring food, according to new mexico birds and where to find them, a 1961 encyclopedia by j. Quail forevers 2019 fall hunting forecast is here once again to help you plan your season. The highdesert, shortgrass regions of new mexico and southeast arizona grow scaled quail. In guadalupe countys vaughn, new mexico there are only 446 people, according to the 2010 u. The surprise comes when they discover this quail with its scalloped or scaled effect markings in fact inhabit other areas besides arizona and new mexico.
Its been a hot, dry year in new mexico and quail seem to be taking a hit after a boom in 2015. January 2011 greg bergquist, of wyoming, limited out early in the day on his new mexico quail hunt. The best deer, elk, bear and other big game outfitters in texas, colorado and beyond are right here on guidefitter. Big game hunting in new mexico is an awesome experience, but sometimes the tags are hard to come by. New mexico elk hunters can obtain a privateland hunt or public draw hunt permit, but not both in the same year.
November 8, which was always the first day of new mexicos deer season, he tells me. Stokley ligon, published by the university of new mexico press. Quail hunting in new mexico, day 1 traveling pointing. New mexico offers many different lands from desert to mountain which is allowed for hunting recreation. State drought monitor upland hunting conditions are often highly dependent upon moisture for both habitat production and bird survival. New mexico bird hunting, desert quail and grouse ultimate upland. Professional hunting guide and outfitter in southwest new mexico usa. New mexico hunting seasons, 20192020 hunting season hq.
Birds were numerous this year in southwestern new mexico with three species available. The only sure way preserve your piece of this resource is to work with a hayden outdoors knowedgable land specialist to purchase your own hunting property in new mexico. In november, my bird dogs and bird hunting show will visit quail states like oklahoma, new mexico, kansas, texas and arizona. I am permitted through the blm, forest service and state of nm to guide on millions of acres. The land of enchantment is one of few states that offer unusual game, such as barbary sheep, oryx and persian ibex. New mexico hunting license texas hunting license hunt costs. Southeast new mexico is your best bet for quail hunting.
Everything you need to plan your new mexico hunting trips for 2020. New mexico gambels quail season november 15 february 15, 2020. Products used gbx winchester sx4 winchester model 101. Bring your best dog and your fastest shooting shotgun and bag your limit of new mexico quail and have a blast while doing it. The public lands in the bootheel of new mexico are a hunters paradisegorgeous and rugged country filled with history, big game, and. On the hunt for the iconic mearns quail in southwestern new mexico. New mexico department of game and fish 20192020 new. The full departmentwide calendar can be found under home nmdgf calendar. New mexico offers a statewide general season, though harvest limits may vary by area. Welcome to our hunting calendar, posting the years events, deadlines, and important date announcements from the new mexico department of game and fish. All distribution maps presented below are approximations.
New mexico offers not only an outstanding game variety, but also beautiful, scenic views to enjoy. Upland game are found in most habitats throughout the state, from mountains to desert. Within minutes crush was backing ace, both relocated as i tried tohook around to come in to the points from the front,nothing happened. Quail hunting excellent in new mexico gary webb guide. It runs down the statebystate quail news and insights you need to complete your fall hunting plans, whether those plans involve outofstate adventures, closedtohome hunts, or both. New jersey new jersey saltwater fishing new jersey hunting new jersey freshwater fishing.
New mexico upland bird hunting information, season limits, bag limits, species overviews and quick links to new mexico dnr and hunting licenses. Guide strong takes you along through the various types of terrain found in new mexico in search of the four quail species found in the state. In addition all applicants must return a signed hunt contract prior to applying in the outfitter pool of tags. There is a total bag limit of 15 per day and 30 in possession, except for montezuma quail. We stopped twice to let the dogs do their business. We visit a farm in logan county that holds plenty of wild quail. Hayden outdoors can help you make your dream come true by providing you. Our service full service with guides for hunting wild pheasant, dove, quail, duck and geese.
Scaled quail are found in the arid regions of arizona, new mexico, texas, colorado, kansas, oklahoma, and central mexico. All wild free range quail in the vast deserts and mountains in southeastern new mexico. With a fair to good quail forecast in place across most of the southwest, this season looks to be one of golden opportunity for arizona and new mexico quail hunters who are intent on getting. The best guide for new mexico hunting seasons, 2018 2019. Quail coveys average forty to fifty birds in dryer years, and can explode up to three hunded in wetter years. Federal lands, native american lands, state lands, and private lands. And upland game season offers additional hunting opportunity for quail in organ mountains desert peaks national monument. Hunting season in new mexico is underway on types of quail.
Quail hunting in new mexico needs a professional outfitter to make a perfect trip. Gambels quail hunting trips and hunting outfitters. Prefers open areas of dry grassland with mixed cactus and shrubbery pale gray overall, with a distinctive. Hunt description fully outfitted and guided hunts new.
From the guys, in the motel that we talked to, scaled quail dont move around early in the morning. Overall, however, cardinal says it was a pretty good early season hatch across quail range in southern new mexico, and there are still a good number of young that made it to fall. New mexico has some of the finest quail hunting in the united states and we encourage all seasoned upland bird hunters to come to new mexico. The following table shows the annual mean number of scaled quail observed per route in the transpecos region from 2004 to 2019 using randomly selected, 20mile roadside survey lines. New mexico quail hunting forecast 2019 quail forever.
Quail hunting behind pointing dogs is like nothing else. The game bird hunting season usually ranges from september through november. The hunting for quail has been quite good down there for the past few years, williams said. We drove to the north west looking the country over. New mexico quail hunting forecast 2019 pheasants forever. That makes it sound real easy but its over 800 miles. Resident upland game provide vast opportunities for both hunters and wildlife observers in new mexico.
Welcome to our new and improved comments, which are for subscribers only. The birds dont start feeding until the dew is off the grass, so theres no need to be there at sunup. The hunting grounds, normally, are difficult terrain with uneven ground and dense, tall and dry vegetation. New mexico private public land hunting elk,deer,oryx,ibex,turkey,antelope,sheep bear,lion new mexico trophy hunting stcoutfitting home page about our outfitting contact us draw procedure 20202021 and important info.