January Update 2019
Overview:
Quail numbers in Southern AZ are best described as spotty. Desert quail numbers continue better than the last few years but overall are well below average. Our decent rainfall this winter bodes well for better desert quail numbers next year. Many of the traditional mearns areas have not been good this year due to poor monsoon rainfall. Those that have explored other areas have reported better numbers.
AZ G&F has 5 quail wing barrels out in highly visible locations (Gardner Canyon, Ruby Road, Highway 83 south of Sonoita, Harshaw Road and Hog Canyon). Wing envelopes are also available from the Fort Huachuca biologist for those hunting on the fort. Use of these barrels helps the department track and manage birds and sets you up for an annual digital hunter survey.
Please support local merchants when visiting the Sonoita or Patagonia areas.
Habitat:
We have received a generous donation from the Robert D Fisher Foundation. This will support many new loose rock dams in the borderlands grassland project led by Coronado National Forest. The rock dams will slow water flow and improved habitat. We are planning a combination of paid support and volunteer labor. We conducted an initial planning meeting with CNF and Borderlands Restoration in early Dec and expect to be on contract soon with published volunteer work days. We will have a CNF presentation on the overall project in our Jan chapter meeting.
We are working with AZ G&F and BLM in Sierra Vista to install quail ramps on water tanks. AZ G&F and BLM have purchased the extruded metal ramps and installation hardware and have cut, bent and painted the hardware. We have the hardware in our possession and are working to schedule ranch visits for installation. They are now working to schedule ranches for installation. There will be a call for volunteers soon.
We are working together with the Valley of the Sun Chapter out of Phoenix to fund a conservation easement and public access easement on ranch land near Tombstone. This land abuts public land resulting in a very large parcel. A conservation easement prevents the land from being developed and the public access agreement will allow hunting on the property in perpetuity. We expect the need to do some habitat work in the future. This land is primarily scaled quail country. AZ G&F, AZ Land Trust and US Dept of Agriculture are putting the vast majority of funding into this purchase. AZSFWC is also providing a grant. Once all other moneys are in place we will actually cut a check.
Access to Public Lands:
We will continue to do our road cleanup on highway 82 to promote a positive image of the chapter and to keep Hog Canyon access open. There is now a sign in box as you enter the private road leading to Hog Canyon as the result of a signed access agreement between the homeowners and AZ G&F. If you transit the private road without signing in you risk a trespass citation. Access to Adobe Canyon is in question as the homeowners and AZ G&F have been unable to complete an access agreement.
Walt Keyes, the road manager for Coronado National Forest is working the process for approval of a planned by-pass road to reopen road access into the Meadow Valley area. Walt is scheduled to speak at our Jan meeting.
Please be respectful of and make sure your actions do not impact public or private land. Close gates, watch for livestock, pick up trash (yours and others) and keep speed and dust down.
Buenos Aires NWR:
Rebecca Chester from US Fish and Wildlife is looking for help from those with well trained dogs to help find Masked Bobwhite Quail on the refuge. If you can help please contact her directly at rebecca_chester@fws.gov or 505-270-1492.
QuailFest:
QuailFest was well attended again this year with several new organizations participating. We expect a Sunday event again next year as the fairground members dinner is again scheduled on Sat.
Banquet:
Our 2020 Banquet is scheduled for Sat 1 Feb at the fairgrounds in Sonoita. Please check our website for the initial list of the great items we have for auction or raffle. Our banquet is the primary financial engine that permits us to do our habitat, access and youth work.
Tickets are at https://squareup.com/store/CH3163_Southern_Arizona_Quail_Forever. Prime rib or chicken, one bottle of wine per table, the first keg of beer, soft drinks and coffee are included in the price. About 75% of the available tickets are sold. Ticket prices will increase on 6 Jan. We know life brings change, we will offer refunds for any tickets cancelled by 23 Jan. Please consider sponsoring the attendance of one of our government partners.
Getting Folks Outdoors:
R3 (recruitment, retention and reactivation) is an effort aimed at increasing hunter participation. We are planning for our Family Day/Youth Hunt 29 Feb 2020 along with partners from AZ G&F, NWTF and Southern AZ German Shorthair Club. We are looking for all ages, backgrounds and abilities to either participate or volunteer for this event. In addition to youth participants, we welcome older participants that are interested in learning more about the outdoors. Watch for an email with a flyer you can share with friends or post.
“Your Wildlife Legacy & The Future of Hunting
Happy 2020! It’s difficult to believe we’re already one-fifth of the way through the 21st century, isn’t it?
As we head into the new year, I’m reminded of how blessed we are to have opportunities to pursue 10 species of big game — elk, pronghorn, mule deer, white-tailed deer, bison, bear, javelina, mountain lion, bighorn sheep and turkey — and a variety of small game species like quail, rabbits, ducks, geese and doves, as well as predatory and fur-bearing animals.
Of course, this wasn’t always the case. In the 1900s, few elk, pronghorn, bighorn sheep or turkeys roamed Arizona. The passenger pigeon was already extinct, along with a depletion of many of the nation’s natural resources, the result of unregulated hunting and commercialization of wildlife.
Fast forward to today. Thanks to a strong wildlife conservation movement, the introduction of science-based management, regulated hunting, the passage of critical legislation and a lot of hard work by sportsmen and conservationists, wildlife is thriving.
Sadly, though, there’s a new threat to wildlife conservation in 2020 — you and me. There are fewer hunters than ever. The average age of today’s hunter is 56 and a member of the baby boomer generation. By 2030, a mere 10 years from now, those hunters will reach an age that limits or even prevents their participation. That gap isn’t being filled by future generations and demographic groups, either. Most do not hunt.
Our wildlife legacy is deeply rooted in a unique funding source for conservation. It’s called the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Act. Because most wildlife conservation agencies do not receive general funds, they are dependent on license sales from hunters and matching funds from this excise tax. As the number of hunters dwindles over time, so will the funding — and that will have an impact on the resources needed to manage Arizona’s 800-plus native species, the most of any inland state.
It’s been said that you have to know there’s a problem before you can fix it. At the Arizona Game and Fish Department, much work has been done over the years through our hunter recruitment and retention program. We’re making strides. I’ll fill you in on the details in the next issue. In the meantime, if you have questions, send me an email: dburt@azgfd.gov.
By: Doug Burt, Hunting and Shooting Sports ManagerArizona Game and Fish DepartmentPreviously printed in the January / February 2020 issue of the Arizona Wildlife Views, published by the Arizona Game and Fish Department“
Please make an effort to invite someone out hunting or outdoors this year!
Chapter Meetings:
Here are the planned speakers for our 19/20 meeting year. We are working to keep our meetings fun and educational. Meetings will start at 7 PM with a social period starting at 6:15. We will have food and sodas available for those coming directly from work and will pass the hat to offset costs. Everyone is welcome, feel free to bring guests!
-16 Jan Fairgrounds Sonoita – Ugo Pennacchietti – Dog Training, Walt Keyes (CNF road manager) Meadow Valley plan, Daisy Kinsey (CNF District Ranger) Borderlands Plan-20 Feb American Legion (next to Titan museum) Green Valley (this is a change of location) – Larisa Harding New AZ G&F Small Game Manager, Cherie Nelson Gambels Quail Translocation Project, Chris Parish from Peregrine Fund – lead ammo
AZ Sportsman for Wildlife Conservation (AZSFWC):
SAQF has joined AZSFWC. You can sign up for their enews at http://azsfwc.org. This allows us to better coordinate with other wildlife groups.
Please consider purchasing a AZSFWC license plate to support wildlife when you renew your current AZ plate through Service Arizona. The fee for this license supports the conservation grants provided by AZSFWC.
National Outdoor Women’s Weekend:Our sister chapter in Phoenix, Valley of the Sun is hosting a women’s event in Mar. Further info can be found at https://www.votsqf.com/banquet.html.
Chapter Website and Facebook:
If you see an error or have a recommendation for improvement, please let us know. We are always looking for pictures, stories or articles to add. Dave is looking for help adding material to our Facebook page – this can be as simple as crossposting from other outdoors sites. If you can help, please contact Dave Brown at browndave27@gmail.com. This could be an opportunity to get a child or grandchild more involved with the outdoors by asking for their help.
Future dates:
- 16 Jan 20 Chapter Meeting Fairgrounds Sonoita
- 1 Feb 20 8th Annual Banquet Sonoita
- 3-6 Feb Support TRCP Regional Meeting in Sonoita
- 9 Feb 20 Quail Closes
- 14-16 Feb Quail Classic Minneapolis
- 20 Feb 20 Chapter Meeting Green Valley
- TBD Feb 20 Winter Road Cleanup
- 29 Feb 20 Family Day/Youth Hunt
- 6-8 Mar Valley of the Sun National Outdoor Women’s Weekend
- TBD 20 Chapter Officer Election Cycle