Arizona Quail Hunting Camp

The Arizona Quail Hunting Camp

Host: Bob Corley, Globe, Az.

New Photo Gallery

2008 - 2009 Quail Season:

Oct. 3, 2008 - Feb. 8, 2009 Gambel's & Scaled

Nov. 28, 2008 - Feb. 8, 2009 Mearn's

Latest Bird Report:

April 12, 2008 Mating calls now for over 5-6 weeks in Globe. Birds paired. Lower desert now drying.

May 7, 2008 No precipitation since Feb. Gambel's season to open one week earlier than traditional. No hatchlings . . . yet.

2008 - 2009 Quail Reports & Arizona Bird Season

2007 - 2008 Quail Reports & Arizona Bird Season

Son, Matthew Olan, Nov., Hunt 2006-07 Bro. Ted, RO, and Cousin Ken

(Alaska SmokeJumpers, 1997 - Present, Fairbanks)

So, what should you wear or bring on an Arizona Quail Hunt?

After 45 years of hunting Arizona quail, here are my recommendations:

Carry a leatherman. Remove cactus, repair your glasses, remove a jammed shell hull. I also carry a small comb for flipping cacti out of the Britts. Depending upon circumstances and type of cacti, works well.
Carry water. I use a hydrapack or Camelback with 70 oz. for Britts and me.
Wear light, Gortex lined, waterproof, uninsulated hiking boots. My favorite brands are Merrills or Columbias. Insulated boots are overkill in Arizona. Once you start walking your feet will be warm.
Wear a blaze orange vest and/or cap. For safety reasons but also so hunters in your group can find you when you are a ridge or two away. The last few years we have begun carrying small radios with ranges of 2-5 miles. They are a great in-the-field communications link.
Pants. I like either heavy jeans or Carhart-type. If you are hunting in catclaw, definitely get the type with reinforced material on the front. I don't wear snake leggings.
Shirts. Layer. Most days Nov.-Feb. I wear a light cotton long sleeve. Roll it up when the day warms.
Gloves. Both left and right batting or shooting gloves are great on cold days and for pushing your way through mesquites and catclaws.
Guns & ammunition: The Corley clan has gone to 20 ga. the last 25 years shooting 7/8 oz shot, size 7 or 7 1/2 reloaded for 1,200 ft/sec. We have never "needed" size 6 shot, but many recommend 6's for the second shot or if birds are getting up wild. The last several seasons we have loaded size # 7 shot. Love it. Still a good pattern with 7/8 oz. but a bit more knock down or fewer crippled birds. My personal preference is an over/under Beretta with improved cylinder/skeet I. I love the Beretta light weight and balance. My father and son have had great success with Remingtons. Dad used a lightweight 1100 auto and Matt a lightweight 870 pump both 20 ga. with IC. I now carry a 20 ga. Benelli Montefeltro inertia driven semi-auto as a "back-up." Light weight, fits well, third shot just in case I ever get to chase some pheasants in a Kansas wheat field someday.
Carry a light, disposable or digital camera for that point and photo of a lifetime.
Get your muscles and your feet in shape. If you are used to Nebraska corn fields, soft Iowa plowed ground, Texas flatlands, or Michigan woods, the Arizona desert can put a hurt on you. Your feet will notice it before your muscles do!!
See you in the hills with my Britts!
Email: Bob Corley, Globe, Az.

Why Hunting?

It's a chance to return to my roots. To be there. To be the predator with every sense heightened.

To sit on the mountaintop and realize that I'm really alive.

It's about hunting wild things in wild places with

clouds moving overhead and rocks beneath my boots

A Favorite Quote:
“I hunt not to kill, but to keep from playing golf.”

Dad, Olan G. Corley, with his black beauty, Duff, 1998

Rusty's UKC Epagneul Breton (French Brittany) Pedigree
Maxwell's UKC Epagneul Breton (French Brittany) Pedigree
Ben's French Brittany Pedigree
Tess's French Brittany Pedigree

Email
Favorite Links:

My friend, Bob Stevens, guides on the San Carlos for both big and small game. Ph: 928-475-5717

Arizona Game & Fish Department
Western Gamebird Alliance Goals: Access to public lands and elimination of overgrazing on public lands.
Wildman's Gun Dogs    Includes current and past quail reports for Arizona by Dave Lukens, President of Western Gamebird Alliance
San Carlos Recreation & Wildlife Website
Bob Stevens' Traditional Apache Hunting Website
Amanda's Coues Whitetail Website Great whitetail site if you are planning to hunt our small Arizona deer. Amanda is a biologist and includes tons of information.
French Brittany Gun Dog Association
French Brittany eGroup   E-mail group of French Britt lovers.
GunDogs Unlimited.com   Dog training, vets, shooting, on-line periodical.
Bird Dog & Retriever News   Hunting and gun dog site.
Varmint Al's Hunting Page Great hints on enjoying hunting in the off-season.
Arizona Sportsman's Journal & Azuho Productions Arizona television production of hunting/fishing shows and links to outdoor sites.
Arizona Outdoors Arizona Hunting, Fishing, Boating, Archery and much more.
Dave Brown's Fly Fishing and Bird Guiding Service Alberta Canada
Dave Brown's Alberta Bird Hunting Service
Outdoor Rendezvous
Az Game & Fish Quail Hunters' Online Logbook



                                                 Matthew Olan with the Corley Benelli Montefeltro, 2008


                              Corley Boys, Pass on the tradition -- circa 1982

For Sale:

9121 N. Belair Rd., Casa Grande, Az.

Planning a move to Arizona? Want to live in the middle of desert bird country? Looking for a second "winter" home?

Details, more information, and more photos: 9121 N. Belair Rd.

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