Quail in Mariposa County
Sierra Sun Times file photo

October 19, 2024 - The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is anticipating good hunting for quail and chukar in 2024-25 as the statewide seasons for both open Saturday, Oct. 19 and run concurrently through Jan. 26.

California has three native species of quail – the California quail, the mountain quail and the Gambel’s quail. Every county in California is home to at least one of these species.

The state is divided into three quail hunt zones. For the general hunt seasons, Zone 1 opened for mountain quail Sept.14, and Zone 2 opened for both mountain and California quail on Sept. 28.

On Saturday, Oct. 19, all species of quail open to hunting statewide. That’s when Zone 1 and Zone 3 open for all quail species. Quail seasons continue through Jan. 26. Hunters may take up to 10 quail per day in any species combination.

Quail and chukar populations boom and bust with rainfall among other factors. Rain supports the insect populations critical for young birds and the growth of plants common to the diet of quail and chukar such as lupine, clover, chickweed, filaree and fiddleneck.

The winter of 2023-24 had normal or above normal rainfall throughout most of the state resulting in favorable reproductive conditions. Timing is critical as spring rains can chill chicks from an early hatch, leading to mortality, but also promote plant growth and boost insect populations necessary for the chicks’ diet.

Quail populations may also have benefitted from recent wildfires that clear dense vegetation, promote grass and forb growth and bare areas for foraging. Large, intense wildfires are less beneficial than small-scale, low intensity fires that open up the understory, set the plant succession back and create a mosaic of edge habitat.

Chukar are native to the mountainous regions of Asia and the Middle East. They were introduced into California into the 1930s and have carved out an existence in the habitat that most closely resembles their homeland – the remote, arid, rocky, steep slopes along the eastern edge of California stretching from the high desert plains of Modoc and Lassen counties south into the Mojave Desert and Death Valley.

Hunters who are fit, accompanied by good dogs or otherwise lucky enough may take six chukar per day.

CDFW is expanding the deployment of wing collection barrels this year on CDFW managed lands. Over 30 barrels have been deployed, and CDFW is asking for hunter help in collecting wings of all game birds. This information provides critical demographic information and allows CDFW to monitor productivity and contributes to a genetic library.

In addition to a valid California hunting license, an upland game bird validation is required for hunting quail and chukar and all migratory and resident upland game birds in California. The money generated from validation/stamp sales is dedicated to upland game bird-related conservation projects, education, hunting opportunities and outreach.

CDFW sells more than 130,000 upland game bird validations annually. Any individual who purchases an upland game bird validation may request a free collectible stamp by visiting wildlife.ca.gov/licensing/collector-stamps. For collectors who do not purchase a hunting license or upland game bird validation, or for hunters who wish to purchase additional collectible stamps, an order form is also available on the website.

In addition to public hunting opportunities available on many CDFW wildlife areas and some ecological reserves, CDFW offers a number of special quail and chukar hunts throughout the season along with private land opportunities through the SHARE Program.

For more information on hunt seasons and other regulations, visit CDFW’s  Upland Game Bird Hunting (ca.gov) webpage. As a reminder, only non-lead ammunition may be used when hunting quail, chukar or any other species with a firearm in California.

Hunters are strongly advised to check in advance for any wildfire-related or other closures at their favorite hunting areas. CDFW’s Emergency Closures webpage lists closures and restrictions at CDFW lands and facilities.
Source: CDFW