Quail Trifecta

[quaildeath]

So last season in this forum somebody was posting about three quail species taken in an area in Arizona. One of the species was Scaled and I imagine one of the others was Gambels.

What is the third...Mountain?.. and where in Arizona is this accomplished? I have family in Mesa and may be there over Thanksgiving.

[Coues]

The third is Means quail. They are found in higher elevations of oak grasslands in southern AZ.

[uplandj]

Mearns

[Coues]

MEARNS - Yeah that's what I meant.

http://www.jesseshunting.com/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smiley-hitting-self.gif

[spectr17]

You could do this in Socal with a Mtn, valley and Gambel&#39;s. We&#39;ve shot Gambels and Valley quail together near Cabazon. A short hop up to the mtns above for a mtn quail and TRIFECTA!!!. Gonna try it next time we get a valley and gambel&#39;s

[Freedivr2]

That might&#39;ve been me yer talkin about. A buddy of mine and I drove to Tucson last December and met up with a friend of mine who&#39;s a Federal agent (Border patrol).

That weekend, we all hunted Mearns in an area just south of Sonoita, and Blues (aka scaled quail) at a spot just north of Sonoita. On the way home, we nailed some Gambels in Dome Valley to complete the Trifecta. If you&#39;re going to Mesa, you&#39;ll be within range of all three species for sure. Mearns are so different from our So. Cal quail, with their big blue feet, painted face, polka dot wings, and virtually no tail! And their foodsource is the little tiny bulbs that are the root of some of the grasses in their habitat......they seem to also get their moisture from these onion looking like bulbs. Coincidentally, I should have the pairs of Mearns and Gambels back from the taxidermist in another week or two, I&#39;ll post em up when I do.

P.S. Mearns are also the coolest quail to hunt, as they hold super, super tight and flush from cover faster than a valley with a tailwind....Their habitat is high grass in oaks, similar to what you&#39;d find out here in our hog country (see pics, below). You have GOT to have a good dog to hunt these things with any effectiveness, as they will let you walk right by them and not even flinch. And it&#39;s important to keep the dogs&#39; noses wet (apply a dab of water every hour) because it helps them pick up scent in this dry, dry terrain. The Blues seem to love to be around nasty cactus habitat, and of Gambels seem to like to hang around agricultural areas. I&#39;m definitely headed back there next month to give it another whirl. Mearns season opens this Saturday....

Typical Mearns habitat (note how tall the grass is);
http://www.jesseshunting.com/photopost/data/500/medium/Arizona_Quail_Grand_Slam_12-12-05_006.jpg

A couple of tight holding Mearns;
http://www.jesseshunting.com/photopost/data/500/medium/Arizona_Quail_Grand_Slam_12-12-05_005.jpg

My first Mearns;
http://www.jesseshunting.com/photopost/data/500/medium/171Arizona_Quail_Grand_Slam_12-12-05_012.jpg

And last year&#39;s Trifecta/Grand slam;
http://www.jesseshunting.com/photopost/data/500/Az_Quail_Grand_Slam_12-13-05.jpg

[quaildeath]

Those scaled are spectacular looking, something so beautiful coming from such a hostile environment.

[Freedivr2]

Scalies (aka "Blues", aka "Cottontops") I wasn&#39;t real impressed with. Kinda scruffy lookin, but I like their look. Just didn&#39;t get any mature ones. I thought the Mearns was way, way neater looking. But to each his own, the scaled quail were kinda neat lookin and I&#39;m hopin to get a pair to mount next month.......