LunaRita Outfitters

Frequently Asked Qusetions

Most common questions we get from clients regarding our Hunts, Dog Training, and Private Training Preserve

Welcome to the LunaRita Outfitters FAQ page! Below, you’ll find answers to the most common questions about our guided hunts, dog training services, and private training preserve. Whether you’re planning a quail hunt in Arizona, a big game adventure in New Mexico, or professional gun dog training, we’ve got you covered.

Hunting with LunaRita Outfitters

We specialize in upland bird hunts (quail, dove, grouse, chukar) and big game hunts (Coues and Mule deer,Javelina and Antelope) in Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah.. Our guided hunts provide expert guides, trained dogs, and access to the best hunting grounds in the Southwest.

We offer hunts in the following locations:

  • Arizona – Southern Arizona for Mearns, Gambel’s, Scaled Quail, and dove, as well as big game.
  • New Mexico – Private ranch and public land hunts for Scaled and Bobwhite Quail, and pronghorn Antelope.
  • Utah – Limited hunts for Blue Grouse, Ruffed Grouse, and Chukar in the Wasatch Mountains.

Our guided hunts include:

Professional guide with extensive experience in the region
Trained hunting dogs (for upland hunts)
Transportation to and from the field
Water, snacks, and field lunch
Access to premier hunting grounds

📌 Fully outfitted hunts include all meals, lodging, and camp accommodations.

Yes, all hunters must have a valid hunting license for the state where they are hunting. We recommend purchasing your license and required tags well in advance through the Arizona Game and Fish Department, New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, or Utah Division of Wildlife Resources.

We recommend bringing:

  • A 20 or 28-gauge shotgun for upland hunts, but bring your preferred gauge
  • Proper hunting apparel (including boots and layers for cold mornings)
  • Ammunition suited for your hunt
  • Binoculars and hydration system for big game
  • Any necessary licenses, tags, and permits

🔹 For a full checklist, visit our What to Bring page.

This is a tough question. If you want less hunters and pressure in the area, I recommend around Christmas to New Years. Not many travelling or local hunters are out at this time of year. Primarily just guides

If you are wondering about the best weather conditions, well it’s Arizona. Meteorologists can’t even get this one right. We typically have a wet December and into January. Which improves scenting and dog working conditions. The 2024/25 quail season was the worst weather we have ever had for scenting. Zero rain or humidity in December or January. The year prior, we had plenty of moisture. Regrettably, there is no great answer to this one

It’s Arizona. It could be 15 and snowing or 80 and sunny. Those two could happen on the same day. I suggest checking a weather app 10 days out. It may be wrong in the end but gives you a framework.

I recommend dressing in layers and shed layers as the sun comes out. Our UV intensity here is impressive. A cloudy 60 degrees is nice hunting weather. The same day in direct sun can feel like 80 degrees

That depends on your date flexibility. We typically start booking the following season during or at the end of the current season. If you understand that we cannot predict the future as far as rain received and have limited availability to come out for a hunt, book early. If you want to see how the hatch conditions are and are flexible on travel, wait and book closer to mid-August/September. NOTE: I am typing this up in early February and currently have 10+ hunts on the books for next season.

These are wild bird hunts.  Boot leather = birds.  We tailor the day to the client/hunters abilities.  You should expect a minimum of 6 miles hiking.  On lower bird number years and/or bad scenting conditions, more miles are required.  The better prepared you are, the easier the hunt will be and more enjoyable.  If you are planning this trip 6 months to a year out as most do, take the time to walk and train a bit.  You will benefit with a more enjoyable hunt.  We will hunt as hard as we can for you

No, no and no.  Almost all Mearns country is on National Forest and we walk. There are roads, but we can’t hunt from a UTV.  We run our dogs, and we walk with them.  We do “loops” from the truck and back to it.  Those loops vary based on terrain, physical ability, and bird contacts.  Typically 2-4 miles per loop.  Allows us the ability to rotate fresh dogs if needed and you to get water, a snack, etc. between loops.

It really doesn’t matter.  It is based on your shooting ability and preference.  I think a 12 gauge is overkill for our quail here, but if you are accurate, safe and comfortable with a 12gauge, bring that.  If you are a really skilled shooter, a .410 is fine. 

I would say to heavily factor weight of the gun into your equation.  A 7.5 or 8 pound auto loader begins to feel like a sack of concrete by the end of a long hunt day.  I prefer a lightweight over/under or side by side personally.  

Again, this is an ability more than a bird thing.  I run I/C chokes on both barrels for Mearns.  Cylinder and I/C is also fine. 

Desert quail (gambels and scaled) can be a little jumpy and get out early at a longer distance.  You may consider running I/C and Mod chokes.  Again, I run double I/C on my personal shotguns.

We like to start early.  We will pick you up around 0645-0700 and drive to the hunt area chosen.  Typically hunting by 0800, break for lunch in the field mid-day and hunt until around 1530.  This stop time gives the birds time to covey up again before dark and be undisturbed near their roosting time.

I answer this with a question- what type of footwear are you most comfortable in?  If you need ankle support and heavy soles, wear those.  I wear trail running shoes most of the time and gaiters to keep grass seeds etc. out of my shoes.  Just make sure you do not, under any circumstance, hunt Mearns in new boots

Bring boots/shoes that are broken in well and comfortable to you.  Getting blisters on day one makes for a long and hard day two or three. 

Dog Training Services

We provide professional gun dog training for all breeds, from beginner obedience to advanced fieldwork. Our programs include:

  • Day Training – One-on-one sessions to refine specific skills.
  • Board & Train – Monthly training programs with daily fieldwork and obedience training.
  • Wild Bird Exposure Program – Training dogs working with our guides on wild birds to improve hunting performance.
  • DIY Training Preserve Memberships – Private access to our training facility, equipment and live birds.

We get this a lot. For us, it doesn’t matter. The dog’s nose is pointing at the bird(s). Just get in front of the dog. The bird(s) will flush.

We see it all too often that clients get behind a dog or ten feet behind a dog, pause or stand there. This creates a less safe environment as you are behind the dog if the bird(s) do flush early.

We say walk in front of the dog with a purpose. Birds are going to flush, shoulder and shoot. Safety coming off as you shoulder the gun. Slow creeping in, throwing a hat to flush birds, consulting for 30 seconds deciding who is going to flush the birds or developing a “plan” all are ineffective and encourages the dog to break point or you lose the 1.5 second shot window because you weren’t ready

Every dog is different! Basic obedience training takes a few weeks, while advanced gun dog training typically requires several months. Our board & train programs allow for consistent, structured training to get your dog field-ready faster.

We train all hunting and sporting breeds, including:
Pointers (German Shorthair, English Pointer, Wirehaired, Setters, Brittanys)
Retrievers (Labrador, Chesapeake Bay, Golden Retriever)
Spaniels (Springer or Boykin Spaniel)
Versatile hunting breeds (Vizsla, Weimaraner, Griffon, Drathaar, Deutsch Kurzhaar)

Our monthly board & train package includes:

  • 4 days of field training per week
  • 4 days of obedience training per week
  • Socialization with other dogs and people
  • All meals and live bird training

📌 Limited to 6 dogs per session to ensure high-quality training.

It’s best to start basic obedience training at 8-12 weeks old and field training around 4-6 months. However, dogs of any age can benefit from professional training. If you’re unsure where to start, we can evaluate your dog and create a custom training plan.

Yes! While we specialize in gun dog training, we also offer obedience training for family pets and sporting breeds. Our methods include positive reinforcement, e-collar training, and behavior modification tailored to your dog’s needs.

Your dog should have a solid foundation in obedience and basic field commands before entering the wild bird exposure program. If your dog has already been through introductory gun dog training, this program will take their instincts and hunting drive to the next level.

📌 We can assess your pup’s readiness—contact us for an evaluation!

LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR DOG TRAINING

Training Preserve & Memberships

Our private training preserve is a membership-based facility for hunters to train their dogs year-round. Located near Patagonia, AZ, it features:
20 acres of fenced training grounds
Homing pigeons, quail, and chukar for training
Bird launchers, check cords, and training gear
Shaded areas and a bird cleaning station

Memberships are $1,200 per year and include:

  • Exclusive facility access from September to March
  • 10 free training birds (quail, chukar, or pigeons)
  • Private bookings via online scheduling
  • Up to 3 guests per session

📌 Non-members can book daily access for $120 per day.

We offer:

  • Homing pigeons (for controlled drills)
  • Feral pigeons ($8 each for live fire drills)
  • Bobwhite Quail ($15 each)

Chukar Partridge ($20 each)

No, but we provide a variety of birds for training, including homing pigeons, feral pigeons, bobwhite quail, and chukar. This ensures a consistent, high-quality training environment while maintaining compliance with wildlife regulations.

Members can reserve training sessions online through our booking system. We offer two daily time slots:

  • Morning (5:30 AM – 11:00 AM)
  • Afternoon (2:00 PM – dusk)

📌 Non-members can book daily access up to 14 days in advance.

Yes! We welcome hunting dog clubs, trainers, and groups looking for a dedicated training facility. We offer group rates for special events—contact us to discuss availability and pricing.

LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR TRAINING PRESERVE

Additional Information

Decades of experience guiding in AZ, NM, & UT
Top-tier hunting dogs trained for wild bird hunts
Exclusive access to private hunting grounds
Focus on true wild hunting – no high-fence or canned hunts
100% customer satisfaction – our repeat clients say it all!

For select New Mexico ranch hunts, lodging is included. In Arizona and Utah, we provide lodging recommendations based on your hunt location.

Yes! We welcome trained hunting dogs. Let us know in advance so we can coordinate with our guides.

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT LUNARITA OUTFITTERS BUTTON

Booking & Pricing

Call (520) 235-9095 or visit our Contact Us page to check availability. A 50% non-refundable deposit is required to secure your hunt.

Pricing varies by species and location. Here are some of our most popular packages:

  • Arizona Quail Hunt – $550 per gun (2 guns), $900 for a solo hunter
  • Big Game Hunts (Elk, Deer, Antelope) – Starting at $4,000 for a 5-day guided hunt
  • Dove Hunts – $300 per gun

📌 For a full list, visit our Hunting Rates page.

  • Board & Train – $1,500 per month (includes birds & food)
  • Private Obedience Sessions – $150 per session
  • Field Training Sessions – $80 per session + cost of birds

📌 Visit our Dog Training page for details.

Ready for the Hunt of a Lifetime?

📞 Call (520) 235-9095 to book your hunt, dog training, or preserve membership today!