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Big Game Hunting  Dogs Upland Birds Men Fishing Hunting World Women     First Aid Identify Ducks Place to Hunt US Hunting Javelina   Placement Hunting Links Wild Turkey Articles on Elk   Decoys Shotgun Check list   Violations & Accidents Hiking Outdoors Harvested info Wildlife in the News   Care of Game Big Game Dove Quail Waterfowl		Band-tailed pigeon, Blue Goose, Chukar, Dove,    Quail Information and other small Game Articles On Hunting Upland Arizona Game & Fish   Shooting upland Birds Band-tail pigeon Blue Grouse Chukar   Mourning Doves White-winged Dove    Next Dove season open day Articles On Hunting Upland and  Other small Game   Game and Fish proposes sage grouse farming rules The Casper Star Tribune, WY - The US Fish and Wildlife Service is in the process of determining whether sage grouse should be protected under the federal Endangered Species Act. The Game ... Where gunshots meet environmentalism WTOP, DC - The Ruffed Grouse Society, an international wildlife conservation group, is dedicated to promoting suitable habitats for ruffed grouse and American Woodcock ... Mourning Dove, White-winged Dove, and Band-tailed Pigeon Population Status, 2008AZ Hunters 37,300 ±9 % Days hunted 130,100 ±21 % Birds bagged 750,700 ±14   In the small game arena, the commission approved orders 19, 20 and 24 – the 2008-09 hunting season and guidelines for dove, band-tailed pigeons and sandhill cranes. New this year is a juniors-only season for sandhill cranes. Regulations for all three should be available online by the second week of July. Pheasant hunters worry CRP changes could harm habitats... | KXNet ... KXMC, ND - The federal program, begun in 1985, pays farmers to idle their lands to conserve soil and protect wildlife. Lands enrolled in CRP are prime habitats for .. Sage-grouse numbers difficult to determine Buffalo Bulletin, WY - Dan Thiele, the Wyoming Game & Fish Department wildlife biologist covering the Buffalo area, completed a 2006 Annual Sage-grouse Job Completion Report for ...   Arizona Game & Fish Regulations & Applications - New! 2008-2009 Dove & Band-tailed Pigeon Regulations [PDF, 1mb]     - New! 2008 Sandhill Crane Regulations [PDF, 282kb]     Rain, snow pack, runoff and green-up providing terrific news for Arizona’s wildlife   Expect a decent Gambel's hatch for a change   PHOENIX – All the winter precipitation, snow pack, runoff and associated green-up are combining to create a favorable outlook for Arizona’s wildlife this year – especially small game. Small game, such as quail and rabbits, are expected to respond accordingly but this also brightens the picture for larger game animals as well, such as deer. Arizona Game and Fish Department biologists said that the routine storms blasting across Arizona at timely intervals throughout the winter is resulting in one of the best green-ups this state has experienced in years, which in turn should equate to a decent Gambel’s quail hatch this year. “We need at least back-to-back years of good winter and spring precipitation to produce what we call a ‘bumper crop’ of Gambel’s quail. Last year throughout much of Arizona, we had a record dry winter. But right now there is abundant and thick green feed growing on the ground, so we are definitely expecting at least average quail reproduction this year,” said Ron Day, the department’s small game specialist. The jury is still out on scaled and Mearns’ quail. “Scaled quail will likely benefit from all this green-up, but Mearns’ reproduction is primarily keyed to summer rainfall. We just experienced the best Mearns’ quail hunting in probably 30 years. If we have good rainfall again this summer in southeastern Arizona, we could have unparalleled Mearns’ reproduction. We’ll just have to wait and see.” Day said. Day explained that the luxuriant green-up doesn’t just mean food for the quail, but an abundance of Vitamin A. “Vitamin A is a key for quail and other animals, especially small game, to have fully developed and functioning sexual organs. It’s natures way of ensuring a lot of young aren’t produced when the vegetative resources aren’t available to support them the newborn animals.” Yet times are good, not just for quail, but other animals as well. “There is no doubt we will see a cottontail explosion this year. Cottontail populations have actually been looking favorable for the past several years, especially in central Arizona. This green-up means rabbit production will be excellent,” Day said. Day added that hunters will want to get out and reap this good small game production. “This is a great year to introduce youngsters and others to the joy of small game hunting in our deserts. Plus, cottontails provide great eating – much better than chicken. Quail also provide what may be considered gourmet table fare.” The abundant precipitation should also help Arizona’s big game animals as well. “We may have turned the corner on declining mule deer populations, which drought had in part influenced. The good snowpack, rainfall and expected improvements in browse conditions this spring and summer is excellent news for our recovering mule deer populations,” said Big Game Supervisor Brian Wakeling. Elk, which are extremely adaptable and weren’t hit as hard by drought, should also benefit from the improved vegetative food base this year. If that isn’t all, fishery biologists are also predicting the best fishing in 25 years or so thanks to the filling of the lakes in general this year, but also the expected first time for the new enlarged lake at Roosevelt filling and spilling. “This is shaping up to be the year of the combo – you’ll want a hunting and fishing license to reap all the quality outdoor fun and adventure,” said Assistant Game and Fish Director Ty Gray. “This is the perfect time to take the next step and take a friend, neighbor or relative out hunting and fishing this year.” To hear more about the good hunting and fishing opportunities this year, come visit Game and Fish at the International Sportsmen’s Exposition on March 7, 8 and 9 at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, or the Arizona Game and Fish Outdoor Expo 2008 at the famous Ben Avery Shooting Facility on Carefree Highway just west of I-17. If nothing else, come help us celebrate our good fortune this year in having abundant precipitation during these on-again, off-again drought years.   Looking for some quail hunting spots? Looking for a good place to go quail hunting this year? Here are 15 spots to consider. * The Tonto Basin, which is located in Game Management Units 22 and 23 near Roosevelt Lake (both north and south) about 90 minutes from downtown Phoenix. Roosevelt has also been a hot spot for largemouth bass fishing this winter so far and is a good place to try for winter crappie and smallmouth bass. * Haystack Butte Road (Forest Road 303) north of Globe in Game Management Unit 24A. * Bumble Bee area north of Phoenix and west of Interstate 17 in Game Management Unit 20B. * Cordes Junction to Mayer area west of Interstate 17. * The base of the Hualapai Mountains near Kingman. * The McCracken Mountains and everywhere along the Alamo Road in Game Management Unit 16A west of Wickenberg.

* The area around Alamo Lake, which is west of Wickenburg. Alamo Lake is also a hot spot for winter crappie. There is a state park at Alamo Lake with plenty of camp sites available.
* The mesas, such as Goodwin and Bozarth, in Game Management Unit 18B east of Highway 93 near Wikieup.
* The area from Congress to Hillside (between Wickenburg and Prescott).
* In Game Management Unit 37B (southern Arizona), the Willow Springs and Freeman Roads between state highways 77 and 79.
* In Game Management Unit 37A, south of Florence along the east, north and west sides of the Tortilla Mountains (access from the frontage road off the Marana Road exit from I-17, from the Rail-x Road out of Catalina, or from the Park Link Road).
* The foothills around the Harcuvar Mountains northwest of Wickenburg. Expect the best hunting close to the mountains.
* The Date Creek Mountains northwest of Congress are also good. Once again, getting close to the mountains is better.
* The Black Mountains west of Highway 93 and south of the Santa Maria River just northwest of Wickenburg is a good area. The rolling Palo Verde foothills don’t get much hunting attention, but it takes a little effort to get in there.
* West side of the Harquahala Valley near Centennial Wash (west of Buckeye off I-10).

Remember: The quail season is open until Feb. 6. However, the season has been underway since early October. Quail in many areas are starting to be a little spooky. The further you get away from well-traveled roads or corridors, the more chance you will have of finding less hunting-educated quail.

Matt Peirce, the wildlife manager in the Wickenburg area, says that in winter, quail in his area tend to move off the flats into the higher country.

For additional information about quail hunting and all small game, visit the department’s special small game hunting Web page.

Band-tailed pigeon

Identification Tips:

• Length: 13.5 inches

• Sexes similar

• Adult similar to juvenile

• Large, chunky dove

• Medium length tail is squared off at tip

• Yellow bill with black tip

• Purplish head foreneck and breast

• Scaly green iridescent nape marked above by a white band

• Dark gray back and primaries

• Pale gray secondary coverts and rump

• Dark gray tail with wide pale gray terminal band

• Pale belly

Band-tailed Pigeon

Unit 5A

Band-tail pigeon exist in low numbers in Unit 5A in the ponderosa pine habitat type. Band-tails produce only one young per year. In the fall, these birds feed heavily on acorns, and therefore concentrate in areas with high densities of oak trees.

Areas: As mentioned above, look for band-tails in areas with lots of oak trees. Band-tails are also drawn to stock tanks near a good food source. Sitting at these tanks early and late in the day can be effective.

Unit 23

Band-tailed pigeon numbers appear to be stable or on a slight increase in Unit 23. These birds are fair weather residents and will migrate south with the onset of cooler weather. During some years, the mid-October season occurs after the bulk of the birds have headed south. Statewide, the band-tailed population appears to be on a downward trend. The reasons for this probably have more to do with timber harvest practices than any other factor. Band-tailed pigeons nest in dense stands of ponderosa pines, which in the past 20 years have been heavily thinned out in many areas. Gambel acorns are the primary fall food source in unit 23.

Areas: Areas to locate during Band-tailed pigeon season are areas of abundant oak mast. Look for Gambel oak thickets in the higher elevations and Emory and/or Arizona White oak thickets in the lower areas. The Mogollon Rim, Naegelin Rim/Canyon, Colcord Canyon, Canyon Creek, Gentry Mountain, Malicious Gap, Armer Mountain, Aztec Peak, and Cherry Creek all have good oak thickets.

Tips: Scouting up to a month prior to the season is advisable to locate areas of band-tailed pigeon concentrations. Acorns should be nearing ripening allowing them to be readily visible with the aid of binoculars. Locate water sources near these feeding areas as pigeons travel back and forth and a location between them will allow oaks shooting.

Unit 27

Blue grouse populations have suffered declines in recent years, with hunters harvesting an average of less than 100 grouse per year in Unit 27. Sparse populations of blue grouse may be found across the northern half of the unit in high elevation mixed-conifer and spruce-fir forest habitats. Look for grouse along ridge tops and steep slopes that have Douglas fir and aspen present. Small forest openings are also good places to find grouse feeding on forbs and berries. Principle food items for Blue grouse during the fall are Douglas fir needles, aspen leaves, wild pea and vetch, dandelion, and raspberry. A properly trained bird dog can greatly enhance your success at finding these elusive birds.

Areas: To get there, take Hwy 191 south from Springerville, or, for hunters coming from the southern parts of the state, take Hwy 191 north from Clifton.

Blue grouse concentrations can be found in the high elevation areas around Hannagan Meadow. Forest Roads 25 and 54, leading west from Hwy 191, access good areas for finding grouse

Chukar Alectoris chukar

Identification Tips:

• Length: 10 inches

• Sexes similar

• Stocky, ground-dwelling quail with short, rounded wings

• Short, thick, red bill

• Red eyering

• Black band above bill, through the eye and across upper neck

• Buff face and throat enclosed by black necklace

• Blue-gray crown, nape, breast and back, with a brownish suffusion on the back

• White belly

• Black bars on pale flanks

• Rufous outer tail feathers visible in flight

• Red legs and feet

• Immatures similar to adults

Chukar master list
Chukar Alectoris chukar Species Information: Life History Data Breeding Distribution Map (BBS Data) Winter Distribution Map (CBC Data) Links to: Bird Population Studies at Patuxent Breeding ...

Chukar
Introduced widely in North America, and established locally from south-central British Columbia to central and eastern Montana south to Baja California, southern Nevada, northwestern

Hunting Report: Game Management Unit 13A

Chukar partridge are an exotic game bird introduced into various areas in Arizona. The species is native to the Middle East. Chukar can be found in unit 13A in the Kanab Creek drainage.

The area is one of the most unpopulated in Arizona, and hunters should be prepared to camp in remote areas with no services available, bringing shelter and plenty of food, water, extra fuel, and extra spare tires. The nearest full service communities are Colorado City and Fredonia, Arizona, both on Highway 389.

Chukar are not numerous anywhere in Kanab Creek, birds are usually found in isolated coveys, and can (usually do) descend thousands of feet into inaccessible canyons after being initially flushed. In other words, after the initial flush, don't expect to see the birds again. There is a slim chance of locating birds again with a 40 power spotting scope. Your bird dog will need a parachute, rappelling gear, a helicopter, or all of the above, to retrieve any birds you are fortunate enough (or unfortunate enough) to harvest. Good Luck!

Areas: Chukar are found throughout the Kanab Creek drainage, but usually "concentrate" around water sources. Prospective hunters should study maps, find springs and water sources, and enjoy the perilous descents (bring ropes).