Struck out on the opener, birds were a no-show in the CNF spot we tried. Yesterday (10/26) I made a solo trip to the SBD NF and burned some shoe leather. First area was badly charred from the last fire, and after hiking arond for two hours I bailed and went to spot #2. Good growth but the guzzler was dry.
A few beer bottles around, otherwise, no guzzling going on around here. Found no birds in the area, but did spook up a deer.
Next I drove a few miles to another area and did some calling in thick brush. Right away I got a response, then nervous quail sounds moving closer. I hunkered down and called a few more times. Now birds were visible about 30 feet away, cranking their necks to see what was making the retarded quail sound (inside joke with my buds, my calling sucks). I couldn't do anything because for one, they were all sitting in a dead tree (not very sporting), and even if I blasted them there was not way to find them in the dense thicket. So I stayed hidden and waited for them to fly out into the opening behind me, but they wouldn't go for it. Finally I got up and quickly circled around them, flushing them in all directions. At least 50 birds total. Downed two, but one got up and ran into the thicket.
I chased the scattered birds up a hillside, down a gully, etc. for the next 1.5 hours, kicking them up every few minutes. Super fun, and I was able to bag six total, with two more downed runaways and one I just couldn't retrieve. Only frustration was wanting to shoot more than one in a flush, but knowing that if I took my eyes off the first downer I would never find it. A dog would've been GREAT.
It was getting hot and I didn't want to completely traumatize the covey by chasing them all day, so I called it. Should've worn long pants, beat the hell out of my legs.
Are these Valley or Mountain quail?
Good luck everyone!
A few beer bottles around, otherwise, no guzzling going on around here. Found no birds in the area, but did spook up a deer.
Next I drove a few miles to another area and did some calling in thick brush. Right away I got a response, then nervous quail sounds moving closer. I hunkered down and called a few more times. Now birds were visible about 30 feet away, cranking their necks to see what was making the retarded quail sound (inside joke with my buds, my calling sucks). I couldn't do anything because for one, they were all sitting in a dead tree (not very sporting), and even if I blasted them there was not way to find them in the dense thicket. So I stayed hidden and waited for them to fly out into the opening behind me, but they wouldn't go for it. Finally I got up and quickly circled around them, flushing them in all directions. At least 50 birds total. Downed two, but one got up and ran into the thicket.
I chased the scattered birds up a hillside, down a gully, etc. for the next 1.5 hours, kicking them up every few minutes. Super fun, and I was able to bag six total, with two more downed runaways and one I just couldn't retrieve. Only frustration was wanting to shoot more than one in a flush, but knowing that if I took my eyes off the first downer I would never find it. A dog would've been GREAT.
It was getting hot and I didn't want to completely traumatize the covey by chasing them all day, so I called it. Should've worn long pants, beat the hell out of my legs.
Are these Valley or Mountain quail?
Good luck everyone!
