Southern California scouting update (stock up on ammo!)

[DesertJim]

It's becoming clear that the 2011-12 quail and chukar hunting season is going to be the best season this century and probably for much longer than that. This fall will be "the good old days."

My scouting and my talks with other desert hunters and desert rats confirm that we have had double and triple chukar hatches just about everywhere (one fellow in Red Mountain said there were five chukar hatches). Since last year was on par with 2005 (our last really good year) for chukar, that means we had an incredible number of holdover birds which all had chicks. Guide Harold Horner (High Desert Guide Service/Ultimate Gamebirds) said he saw one canyon near Johannesburg with at least 400 birds. He has seen single adult pairs near where he guides in the Barstow region with three sizes of chicks and a total of 40 young for a single pair. Quail are looking just as good. I have seen fuzzballs in the past week in the washes near my house in San Bernardino. This is the third time I've seen fuzzballs since April.

I'll keep you posted....

Jim Matthews
Western Birds

[Arizona Wanderings]

Jim, Great to have you on the forum. Glad to hear you guys are having good conditions out there. I haven't heard too much on our gambel's numbers this year, but from what I see around the neighborhood and the couple of walks through the deserts, I think are numbers are on par for a good fall. Chukar sounds like fun. When does your season open for them in Cali?

Ben

[DesertJim]

Ben, our chukar season runs concurrently with our general quail season. That is usually the third Saturday in October (October 15 this year) through the last Sunday in January. Here's a link to my newspaper column from last week:

[url]http://www.outdoornewsservice.com/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=346:upland-bird-season-destined-to-be-best-in-decades-–-maybe-ever&Itemid=18[/url]

If this story doesn't get bird hunters amped up for this fall, they're seriously jaded.

Jim

[Arizona Wanderings]

Great article. Amazing to think of 3 sets of chicks. Sounds like I may have to make a trip to California...

[mojaveJohn]

Hey Jim, thanks for the good report. The birds must be scattered, or I just didn't do enough scouting, 'cuz I have only ran into one decent covey thus far. Maybe I was spoiled from the last time that I got out and hunted, that was the incredible '05 season where I could throw rocks at the birds and come home with a full limit. Doesn't really matter though, I am having a good time anyway and now that I have the free time to really get out I am sure I will find 'em sooner or later. I live in Apple Valley so it really wouldn't hurt my feelings if you PM'ed me with a general area to look in that is eihter near AV or Barstow. When I get off duty from the BFD in the mornings I usually head to somewhere in that neck of the woods.

I have been reading your articles in the paper for years and really like what you put out. I can't wait for this years Christmas catalogue... Always the finest, top of the line equipment. As a matter of fact maybe you could share it with some of the boys on here.

Anyway, I hope to see you around and keep up the good work.

[birdogzz]

Have you ever done any hunting in the jaw bone area? I recently spent a day in the caliente range and found only two small coveys. Far fewer birds than last year and much less cover growth than i thought i would find. I am always looking for new country to explore.

[mojaveJohn]

Have you ever done any hunting in the jaw bone area? I recently spent a day in the caliente range and found only two small coveys. Far fewer birds than last year and much less cover growth than i thought i would find. I am always looking for new country to explore.

I haven't heard of either of those areas. Are they out here in the desert. I went out this morning in the hills south of Apple Valley, near Juniper flats and into the NF. Tough hunting though.

[birdogzz]

the caliente range is on the west side of the carrizo plain, west of Taft and jaw bone is north of Mojave.

[azquailhntr]

I want to get over there and shoot some Chukars...anyone up for it? Anyone know where to go? I am missing those demons and want to get out after them. I have only hunted them once in Eastern OR but, it was the most fun I have had hunting birds...something about pain and shooting that appeals to me. Let me know if anyone is up for it!