Drought Devastates Arizona’s Quail Just as Hunting Season Nears

Arizona’s Gambel’s, scaled, and Mearns’ (Montezuma) quail populations are taking a beating from extended drought—now less than promising as hunting season kicks off.

 

The Situation: Dry, Hot, and Not a Popcorn Forecast

Arizona has seen 18+ months of extreme dry conditions, with recent winters delivering so little moisture that the desert barely “greened up”—crucial for supporting quail nesting and chick survival.

This water shortage has already translated into an 80% drop in quail calling activity on long-term survey routes — a reliable early warning that breeding cycles sputtered.

To make matters worse, a brutal late-May/early-June heat wave struck when chicks were most vulnerable—many likely died before they could regulate their body temperature.

What’s Left on the Landscape? Not Much—and It’s Mostly Old Birds

 

What quail remain are likely carry-over survivors from previous seasons—not fresh young recruits. Habitat conditions are patchy; where monsoon rains or winter showers hit just barely, there may still be local birds—but those places are the exception, not the rule.

How This Affects Hunters

• Expect mediocre hunting, especially for Gambel’s and scaled quail. Reproduction and survival this year have been very low.
• There may be tiny pockets of hope, especially in areas that got some green-up—even if only localized.
• Mearns’ (Montezuma) quail, already fewer in number and dependent on summer moisture, are doing poorly too—and most birds still in the field are leftovers from past years.

A Call to Adjust: Hunt Smarter, Not Harder

If you’re heading out this season, know this: you’re not chasing abundant birds. You’re searching in the remains of a tough year. Here’s what to do:

• Scout relentlessly, focusing on areas that saw some rain or managed to green up.
• Travel smart—riparian corridors, reclaimed drainages, “guzzlers” and water tanks might be your best bets.
• Adjust expectations—you’re not hunting broods; you’re hunting survivors.
• Hunt ethically and sustainably, giving those tough little birds a chance to hang on.

Bottom line for undique readers: This isn’t your typical “get ready for a booming season” article—because there’s no booming season. It’s time to push, hunt, and handle expectations with honesty. The desert may be harsh, but quail are tough. And maybe, just maybe, a little moisture could turn things around yet.