24 replies to this topic

[SpotandStalk]

Down here in the south...San Diego and Imperial county...the California and Gambel's quail numbers seem to be very huntable. Has anyone harvested Mountain, Scaled, Mearns, or Bobwhite Quail? Which county did you get the Mountain Quail in?S&S

[stevowpappas]

i got a bunch of mountain quail this season in siskiyou county

[SpotandStalk]

i got a bunch of mountain quail this season in siskiyou county

stevowpappas,When you got your Mt quail were they in a large covey or in smaller groups such as a pair. I've only seen 3 ever and it was a pair and a solo bird. It seems like they're less into the covey thing compared to Gambels or California quail.S&S

[Cranky Farmer]

I used to shoot the bobwhite back in MO.

[SpotandStalk]

I used to shoot the bobwhite back in MO.

SBF,It sounds like you're no longer a Quail hunter. Is this true?S&S

[Cranky Farmer]

Not since I've been in CA. I still try and put in a food plot or two for the quail when I go back to maintain the property. They will be there after my wife retires and we move back.

[SpotandStalk]

Not since I've been in CA. I still try and put in a food plot or two for the quail when I go back to maintain the property. They will be there after my wife retires and we move back.

SBF...that hurts. You hunted the gentlemen BOB and our California Quail are running around without any attention. I've killed some Caly Quail this yr and I gotta say it makes for much better table fare than the coyote. S&S

[stevowpappas]

all the mountain quail were in a covey. They pair up spring and early summer and you will see them as pairs untill the hatch. Same with most other species. Most coveys have atleast 20 birds in them around here.I do a LOT of quail hunting because there is so many around here and not a lot of quail hunters. I prefer the mountain quail because they have bigger breasts and you can almost get a meal out of 2 or 3 quail. The season ends early though. Then i move on to california quail or what we call valley quail. I have never seen a gambels, mearns, or bobwhite quail anywhere near siskiyou county.

[SpotandStalk]

I do a LOT of quail hunting because there is so many around here and not a lot of quail hunters. I prefer the mountain quail because they have bigger breasts and you can almost get a meal out of 2 or 3 quail. The season ends early though. stevo,In all that Mt Quail hunting do you ever come across or have any place you pursue Chukar? I figured Mearns, Gambels etc. wouldn't be real common in Siskiyou county...I was curious if any one had tried the AZ or NM thing.

[lilwes278]

Got 1 mountain quail so far this year. I've seen lots of them in Stanislaus, Merced, Mariposa, and Tuolumne counties. Always in groups. I probably could have shot a dozen already, but usually see them when I'm packing a rifle...

[stevowpappas]

the only chukar ive ever seen is at the local pheasant club. He raises them and releases them.

[Jared Plumlee]

Down here in the south...San Diego and Imperial county...the California and Gambel's quail numbers seem to be very huntable. Has anyone harvested Mountain, Scaled, Mearns, or Bobwhite Quail? Which county did you get the Mountain Quail in?S&S

tons of mtn quail in kern and tulare counties

[Moe]

Lots of mountain quail a few miles east of me. Usually in clear cuts and in big coveys. Yamhill County but it's Oregon.

[20/20]

Plenty of mountain quail in amador county...

[jephs422]

whole lotta Mt. Quail in Ventura County also. I haven't hunted them this year, but I have seen quite a few smaller coveys.

[homemade]

Last time I hunted quail was in a grape vinyard and let me tell you man that was hard hunting.

[sportyg]

Lots of Mt Quail up around MT Laguna if you want to bow hunt them..

[Toondaddy]

I have been working on my six pack for eight years. I have a ten year old english setter (Belle) that I have shot five of the six over. She has also had the help of some of my other dogs. Gambels and Mearns in Arizona with a pointer (Marie). Blues and Bobs in Texas with a pointer (Patty). California Valley quail In Idaho with a Brittany and Springer spaniel (Debbie and Abby). I tried hunting In Oregon for mountain quail two years ago with Belle and Abby but had no luck on mountain quail, lots of valley and chukar as we hunted our way east. I am going to try Northern California for a week this January 14-21, 2009. I was wondering if anyone could give me any tips on general areas to try and any tactics for late season mountain quail. I will be flying into Reno, NV and hunting north and west of there. I am willing to drive just about anywhere in Northern California and would be glad to hunt with someone for a day. I will be bringing two dogs Belle the setter and Lilly a GSP. Any help would be greatly appreaciated. Thanks.

[woodsman44]

Down here in the south...San Diego and Imperial county...the California and Gambel's quail numbers seem to be very huntable. Has anyone harvested Mountain, Scaled, Mearns, or Bobwhite Quail? Which county did you get the Mountain Quail in?S&S

I hunt mountain quail in placer county. Smaller covey's in the winter ...seeing 7 to 10 versus 30+ in summer /fall. Its a very hard place to hunt ..ridges and steep canyons that will kick your keyster if not in shape.ScottI just picked up the primos 341 mountain quail call and it works very well locating them and will bring em to ya.Dont have to hike so much.

[SpotandStalk]

Those r some great photos! SNS

[Toondaddy]

Looking at the map it looks pretty rugged around Foresthill. How passable are the roads in the winter? I have the Primos mountain quail call. When calling, what type of places do you try to call from? What type of sounds are they most likely to answer? Are ridgetops better or valleys along the water? Or do you just look for the right type of cover and try there? How long do you call for before moving on to the next spot? How far do you go before you stop and try calling again? Sorry for all the questions but I am trying to learn.Thanks

[woodsman44]

Toondaddy, the roads are passable at this time, but if there is more than a couple of inches you want to hunt lower were there's patchy or no snow. I call from ridge top or draw that looks like a good place to hunt. Look for oak and pine tree mix, that is were you will find them. If mountain side has buck brush (bellow ridge) that's a very good place to start calling. Sit under oak tree for some cover at edge of ridge looking down and start calling...they will come up to you, or there already there.You can try walking up draw (with some water in it) then call, see what happend's if nothing, move on, try a nother place.The sound that you start with is the "tut" "tut" 12 to 15 times wait a bit try again..if you dont here them call back with same sound, there not there or like I said earlier they could be coming up to you.When you bust up a covey then you use the( Boss Cock call) "tu whit" 2to 3 times then "tut" 'tut"12 to 15 times right after that. That will bring some of the broken covey to you...and sometimes the Boss Cock to challenge you!The first time I used my call I called for about 5 min. I could here some of in the distance so I started walking that direction and "bam" they were some below me mabey 15 yard's and they ran off into cover down hill. So when I call now I keep my eye's pelled on ground by shrubs or cover and ready to flame them.I hope this help's you get started....Scott

[woodsman44]

Toondaddy, just letting you know that quail season ends jan. 25 in ca. 2009.Scott

[Toondaddy]

Scott,Thanks for the help. I am hunting from the 14th to the 21st, then I am going to the SCI convention in Reno. I will report back how I made out once I get back.Thanks again.

[wanapasaki]

Best place I ever hunted Mountain Quail was in Greenhorn Mountains. Ran into a covey of mountain quail that were drunk off of fermented elder berries, so I shot my limit, because there was a bobcat in the area lol