Drought hurts quail population, but state maintains hunt

A state small game manager advised the Arizona Game and Fish Commission to restrict the upcoming quail hunt because of ongoing drought.

Dry conditions have hampered quail reproduction across parts of Arizona, leading to concerns about future populations.

The state Game and Fish Commission rejected a proposal to restrict the hunt, in part because it would be difficult to get the word out among out-of-state hunters.

Persistent drought is dragging down Arizona quail populations, state wildlife officials say, and could necessitate shorter hunting seasons and smaller bag limits on the game birds.

The state’s small game manager advised the Arizona Game and Fish Commission to restrict the upcoming fall and winter season to protect sufficient breeding quail or “broodstock,” but commissioners v