We sit down with Geoffrey from Covey Kits to trace how an East Coast outdoor kid becomes an Arizona quail hunter who is all-in on bird dogs, ethics, and being ready for the unexpected. The conversation moves from punk rock memories to real-world lessons about hunting right, mentoring others, and why dog first aid belongs in every handler’s kit. 
• Meeting Geoffrey from Covey Kits at Fumar Cigars 
• Moving from Massachusetts to Arizona and falling in love with public land 
• A bad dove hunt that sets an ethical line in the sand 
• Getting hooked on bird dogs and learning quail habitat the hard way 
• Foraging, culinary school, and a food-first approach to wild game 
• Recovery, community, and the interest in Fathers in the Field 
• Previewing the story behind Covey Kits and why preparedness matters 

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We record from the camper with a set of honest updates on life, hunting prep, and what we’re building through Arizona Quail Today. 

We share why getting outside matters, how Quail Camp supports fatherless boys through mentor fathers, and what help we still need from sponsors, writers, and volunteers. 

• camping as a practical reset for hunters and families 
• solo reading and writing time in northern Arizona 
• prairie dog shooting as summer scouting and trigger time 
• Quail Camp setup, planted birds, dog work and campfire time 
• Fathers in the Field mentorship model for fatherless boys 
• sponsor thanks and what donations actually pay for 
• looking for writers, website contributors and podcast guests 
• idea for Upland Smoke gatherings at Fumar Cigars 
• sending dogs to Mollicone Kennels for steady work and fine-tuning 

To help further our work, please consider making a tax-deductible gift. Visit us online at azquailtoday.com and be sure to follow us on social media for the latest information and updates. 

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We lay out a clear plan for rattlesnake encounters during Arizona quail hunts, from the species you may see in each region to the fastest, safest response after a bite. Cody from Rattlesnake Ready breaks down what helps, what makes things worse, and how to train dogs to avoid snakes before season starts. 
• rattlesnake species hunters may encounter across Sonoran Desert, grasslands, and Sky Islands terrain 
• first priorities after a dog or human bite, focusing on rapid transport to an ER vet or hospital 
• why snakebite kits waste time, plus the biggest mistakes like tourniquets, ice, and NSAIDs 
• guidance on moving to help, calling 911, and when elevation may reduce local tissue damage 
• poison control as a support tool for human bites and why veterinary antivenom is not for people 
• NationalSnakebiteSupport.org as a practical resource with FAQs and downloadable guidance 
• Cody’s four step dog rattlesnake avoidance training using live muzzled snakes, scent, and sound 
• how often dogs need follow ups, what changes with puppies, and what “retention” looks like 
• simple hunter behavior that prevents bites, including giving snakes space and not harassing them 
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We map Arizona quail habitat to the rattlesnakes hunters are most likely to encounter, then separate defensive behavior and real venom science from local lore. We also talk about why viral “snake grabbing” content is risky, which high-elevation species are protected, and how to learn about rattlesnakes safely through education and training. 
• Gambel’s quail range across the Sonoran Desert and the rattlesnakes most likely there 
• Microhabitats that shape where sidewinders, speckled rattlesnakes, Mojaves, and diamondbacks show up 
• Why “aggressive” is usually the wrong word and what defensive behavior looks like 
• Mojave rattlesnake naming confusion and the myth of the “Mojave green” 
• Venom basics, including neurotoxic vs hemotoxic effects and why Mojave venom can vary by geography 
• Why free-handling venomous snakes for social media is reckless and how it can backfire on everyone 
• Scaled quail country in southeastern Arizona and the species shifts in that region 
• Sky Island and Montezuma quail terrain and the rare montane rattlesnakes people travel to see 
• Protected rattlesnake species in Arizona and what hunters should know 
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We connect 50 years of Arizona rainfall to real quail numbers, from the wet early 1990s to today’s tighter window for “boom” seasons. We also dig into what wing barrel data says about juveniles, why hunter crowding feels worse, and how we’d think about fair rules without pretending regulations can replace rain.
• early 1990s winter rains and why they felt like peak years for Gambel’s quail
• mid-to-late 1990s dry periods and the research response around Mearns quail concerns
• 2000s monsoon consistency and chasing the three-species-in-one-day trifecta
• 2010s monsoons plus social media growth driving more non-resident interest
• wing barrel harvest data linking percent juveniles to summer rainfall and green-up
• how hunter effort self-regulates in good and bad years, especially for residents
• ideas that could reduce crowding, including delayed non-resident openers or permits
• current outlook for Gambel’s quail, carryover birds, and what call counts suggest
• a tough hunt story with “veteran” coveys and what it teaches about expectations
• bird dog realities: pointing, honoring, retrieving, and building a dependable pack
to help further our work please consider making a tax deductible gift visit us online at azquailtoday.com and be sure to follow us on social media for the latest information and updates.

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We trade stories with Kirby Bristow about dogs, coveys, and a scaled quail retrieve that never touches the ground, then zoom out to the weather patterns that decide whether Arizona quail hunting feels easy or brutal. We also tackle the harvest debate head-on and explain why rainfall timing and habitat conditions drive next year’s bird numbers more than hunter pressure does.

• a New Mexico scaled quail hunt capped by a mid-air Labrador retrieve 
• long-term Arizona rainfall swings and fewer stacked “good years” 
• monsoon rain vs winter rain and what each quail species needs 
• why Mearns quail stay tied to Sky Island oak grasslands 
• differences in reproduction and covey behavior across Mearns, Gambel’s, and scaled quail 
• what studies show about hunted vs unhunted areas and pre-season vs post-season counts 
• why agencies focus on habitat management instead of restricting harvest 
• walking through the 1970s and 1980s with classic rock and quail memories 

To help further our work, please consider making a tax-deductible gift. Visit us online at azquailtoday.com and be sure to follow us on social media for the latest information and updates. Till then, remember to get outside.

Connect with us: Email us at r[email protected] —we'd love to hear from you! 
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We get practical about pigeons, from surprising facts about what they can do to why they make tough, reliable dog training birds. We lay out a real-world trapping system that works in Arizona, plus the mistakes that quietly ruin your results or harm birds in the heat. 
• pigeons as hardy training birds for upland hunters 
• ten interesting pigeon facts including homing and intelligence 
• pre-baiting with corn or chicken scratch for one to two weeks 
• placing traps where pigeons already roost and feed 
• using bob door traps and leaving doors open early 
• providing shade and fresh water to prevent suffering 
• checking traps on a safe schedule to avoid stress and deaths 
• transporting birds home quickly and setting up a basic coop 
• ten common mistakes including impatience and skipping pre-baiting 
To help further our work, please consider making a tax-deductible gift. Visit us online at azquailtoday.com and be sure to follow us on social media for the latest information and updates. 

Connect with us: Email us at r[email protected] —we'd love to hear from you! 
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We trade the usual gear talk for the gear that decides whether you can actually reach the birds: your heart, your legs, and your daily habits. We break down why quail hunting demands nonstop mobility and share simple ways to train, eat, sleep, and hydrate so you can keep chasing coveys for decades. 

• why physical health matters more than a shotgun or a dog for backcountry access 
• heart disease stats and why hunters should pay attention in their 40s and beyond 
• how belly fat and extra weight make desert miles harder and raise risk 
• steps, brisk walking, and why quail hunters need durable cardio 
• off-season training ideas like hikes, runs, cycling, and leg and core workouts 
• cleaning up diet with the 80-20 rule and cutting sugary drinks 
• sleep as recovery that improves energy and lowers stress on the heart 
• Arizona trail ideas for conditioning and building stamina 
• hydration basics for desert heat and keeping hunts from ending early 
• a stewardship mindset for staying strong for family and the outdoors 

To help further our work, please consider making a tax-deductible gift. Visit us online at azquailtoday.com and be sure to follow us on social media for the latest information and updates.

Connect with us: Email us at r[email protected] —we'd love to hear from you! 
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We chase the old-school idea of pairing a horse and a bird dog for Arizona quail hunting, then get honest about how much that partnership depends on our calm, not our intensity. We share what Zuni the mustang mare teaches us about trust, how pointers pick up our emotional cues, and why steadiness is the real training advantage. 
• building trust with a horse through slow, consistent handling 
• noticing how tone, posture, timing, and stress shape animal behavior 
• praying for the horse as a way to slow down and show up better 
• English pointer history and why the breed fits Western quail country 
• practical leadership principles that apply to horses and bird dogs 
• why horseback quail hunting is both beautiful and hard work 
• introducing dogs and horses safely through controlled exposure 
• keeping sessions short, sustainable, and repeatable 
Help further our work. Please consider making a tax-deductible gift. Visit us online at azquilltoday.com and be sure to follow us on social media for the latest information and updates. So then remember to get outside.

Connect with us: Email us at r[email protected] —we'd love to hear from you! 
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We slow down and take boots seriously, from the surprising number of miles your feet cover in a lifetime to the deep history packed into everyday footwear. We trace how function shaped iconic designs, then land on real-world boot picks that hold up for quail hunting, work, and life. 
• why hunting boots are not “just gear” when you’ll walk 67,000 to 70,000 miles in a lifetime 
• how everyday walking miles plus hunting miles add up faster than most hunters expect 
• the 5,500-year-old Armenian leather boot and what its wear marks prove 
• how Mongolian stirrup heels help explain modern cowboy boot design 
• the Duke of Wellington’s redesign and how rubber wellies helped prevent trench foot 
• what we like and don’t like about Justin, Danner, Ariat, Kenetrek, and Cody James boots 
• our personal comfort picks for serious quail hunting versus daily wear 
Help further our work. Please consider making a tax-deductible gift. Visit us online at azquilltoday.com and be sure to follow us on social media for the latest information and updates. Till then, remember to get outside. 

Connect with us: Email us at r[email protected] —we'd love to hear from you! 
Follow us on Instagram at @azquailtoday