Frequently Asked Qusetions

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.

We send out a recommended lodging list based on your hunt. If hunting Mearns, we recommend lodging in Sonoita or Patagonia. There are two Inn style hotels, several Airbnb’s or VRBOs in the area and several places that offer casitas, etc. You book your own lodging, but if you have trouble finding something available, we are happy to help you secure lodging

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.

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 lease the 1.5 second shot window because you weren’t ready

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. 

Yes, 100%.  We will make arrangements.  We can run yours with ours if they are properly socialized and not a scrapper.  We typically run two dogs per loop but will run three at times.  We can run ours together, run yours only if you wish.  Just keep in mind that if your dog(s) have never worked these specific birds, you may be decreasing your odds.  Not putting down your dog(s) or it’s abilities, and not saying ours are better, but they know these birds well and do it for a living.