16 replies to this topic

[True2ThySelf]

I think this year will be a good year. I went scouting yesterday and probably saw more than 200 birds. What has been everyone else's experience?

[Frank]

Yes, I have seen good (such as your 200), but not great #'s of birds... Of course this can depend on location! However, unlike Jim Matthews, I do not believe this will be a "best" year over all, like we had around 2005(?). I saw over 1,000 birds in less than 4 hours on a scouting trip that year & slayed LOTS of birds that season.Pls don't misunderstand, as I do believe this year "should" be MUCH better than the last 3 years or so. A BIG improvement in other words.My Frank

[dangerranger]

The quail in my yard raised two [not shure if they are broods or clutches, but nest fulls]. they had plenty to eat and drink, and the rains hit at the right times for them. if thats any indication it should be good. DR

[Haywood]

Saw a lot during dove season, and today as well. Hopefully they stay put till next weekend lol.

[valleyrider]

mountain quail have been slow for me this year but I have seen plenty of valley quail in my areas, should be very promising.

[Thumper Dunker]

Been seeing lots in the orchards this year. Might go and try for some.

[Bisley]

A good year? Yes. A banner year, record year, best year ever? Far from it! The last few years have definitely been much lower numbers than in the past. And I'm pretty sure that if you stop and think about it hard enough, you're not seeing record numbers of birds, you're seeing birds (in the same numbers you used to years back) in places you used to see them but haven't for a few years. I can't help but laugh when I think of how everyone seems to be getting carried away from excitement at what just used to be normal bird numbers not too, too long ago. Anyways, good luck on this "decent" year.

[Frank]

Well said, Bisley, and I totally agree....

[True2ThySelf]

My excitement comes from this being my first year hunting quail. Having never seeing more than a handful at a time to a covey of around 100 amazes me =D.

[1984cj7]

the imperial valley has a few good spots for quail... can't wait to get out there... good luck guys..

[Bisley]

Thanks Frank, I'm sure you can remember also when to used to be like this every year. And I totally understand younger folks and those that are newer to bird hunting being extremely happy to have a "good" year. But what I don't understand is how a guy like Jim Mathews, with his age and experience, thinking this is some kind of once in a lifetime year. We used to just call it Bird season 1995, Bird season 1998, Bird season 2002............ you get the point

[Frank]

But what I don't understand is how a guy like Jim Mathews, with his age and experience, thinking this is some kind of once in a lifetime year.

Yeah, Bisley, that one just kills me also. Especially at his age & experience as you say.Jim seems to be a great guy & outdoorsman, having spoken to him several times by phone & in person years ago. But some of his thinking on certain (hunting) issues just makes no sense to me. Too much ink to explain right now.Frank

[tawnoper]

He has a column to fill every month...gotta write something. It would get stale if he wrote "this season looks okay" every time. That being said, just because you read it doesn't make it true...just like the majority of stuff on these sites. Got to sift through the crud.

[Bisley]

Absolutely true on both accounts tawnoper. But It wouldn't be boring (and a lot more truthful) with a title like "Best hatch in a handful of years" or "Finally, bird numbers like we used to see them". But, I regress, it's just like my other (least) favorite writer Mr. Craig "Biggest-bore-I-can-find" Boddington. The man spends half his time berating the .30-06, and telling us how useless and outdated it is. Then turns around the next month and sends his OWN DAUGHTER to Africa with an 06! I just have no respect, and even less tolerance, for people like this. Yes, they have a job to do. And yes, controversy and hype sells. But it should not be done at the expense of flat out lying to the public. Give me a John Taffin or Mr. Venturino any day over these two knuckle-heads. And for some of the absolute best (funny) reading out there, Bill Heavey who does The Last Page in Field & Stream just can't be beat. He actually brings tears to my eyes making me laugh so hard. Anyone who has ever spent one day int the field owes it to themselves to read his stuff.Oh well, off on my 5 hour journey for birds on this "banner" year. Best of luck to the rest of y'all too. These next 3 months are what makes life worth living

[Frank]

OMG... Not the "B" word... as in Boddington... This is all starting to become clear, as Boddington & Jim are friends & I believe been hunting together. I could be wrong on the later though?Most writers are full of hot air, & are usually just trying sell stuff, & actually know LESS than we do. They lose most, if not all credibility when they start spraying a bunch of b.s... & is exactly what Jim's article is on this years quail season. Man, if I could REMEMBER (old age here) some of the other's names, I would mention them also. Here's one however. Jim Zumbo! Who hasn't heard of him, right? About 30(?) years ago, me & about 4 others had dinner with him after a hunting show. To be polite, I will just say I was grossly UN impressed!Some of the highest profile predator hunters leave a lot to be desired. Remember a couple(?) years ago about one that wrote (in Varmint hunter(?), "that once a coyote howls, he has to wait 20-30 minutes before he can howl again". What a complete MORON! I can't recall the writer, but I do KNOW, he is one of the Biggest names around still today. But not in my book! I would have to research to find who he was. So, like tawnoper states, some, if not most of this stuff has to be taken with a grain of salt. Unfortunately! Frank

[tawnoper]

Well, everyone has their own opinion of things. I share your opinion of Boddington. Not so much for his "lying" which I really don't see...but more for his writing style. Just not my preference. Also, I don't believe there is a picture in existence of him where he not straddling something dead.Not too many story tellers anymore. Most of the newer writers seem to be more into tactical writing which truthfully leaves me cold. When I'm reading something involving mechanical intricacies, I want that information coming from a known source. Accuracy, I'll read and absorb what Gordy Gritters or Darrel Holland has to say but am always skeptical (see my sig lol) when the info come from a field writer. Kinda what I meant by sifting through the crud. I read lots of reloading instruction on these sites that is just plain wrong...does it mean the poster is lying? No...just misinformed or at the very least, doesn't have a really good grasp on understanding what they are talking about.I used to really enjoy (and still do) reading the stories of Jack O'conner. His writing was more stories all the while praising his .270. I like reading what Layne Simpson and Ross Seyfried have to say as well. Kind of a more relaxed writing style and not so in your face that some of the other writers seem so fond of.

[Dutchman]

Went out for some valley quail today. Got 5 and had to cut it short, as my old dog just wasn't doing well. He just kept falling every time his hip gave out. Poor guy couldn't even jump back into the truck when we were done.Damn dog just gives me the most pathetic look if I don't put him in the truck with me in the morning when he KNOWS I'm going out hunting. After seeing me load up my truck last night he was going crazy this morning.Hope everyone else had a good hunting day.