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! 
Follow us on Instagram at @azquailtoday

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! 
Follow us on Instagram at @azquailtoday

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! 
Follow us on Instagram at @azquailtoday

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

We take our bird dogs paddleboarding and turn wipeouts, splashes, and river chaos into smart off-season training for Arizona hunters. We share what actually works to build fitness, confidence in water, and steadier obedience while keeping dogs safe in the heat. 
• why paddleboarding is legit exercise for high-energy bird dogs 
• how regular water time can build swimming confidence over time 
• training “lay down” and “stay” on the board to create calm 
• starting in calm water and keeping early sessions short and positive 
• using an e-collar as reinforcement when it matters 
• essential gear like a dog life jacket with a handle, dry bags, river shoes, and sunscreen 
• lunch and tie-down tips for keeping food and gear usable on the water 
• Arizona spots like Salt River, Canyon Lake, Bartlett, Pleasant, Saguaro, and Roosevelt 
• planning shuttles and keys for river floats like Coon Bluff to Granite Reef 
• lessons learned on parking, Tonto Passes, and crowded weekends 
• safety reminders on holiday enforcement, sober driving, and heat risks for dogs 
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! 
Follow us on Instagram at @azquailtoday

We sit down with Nate Istrate to talk through a real valley fever scare in a hunting dog and what finally brought the symptoms under control. We share what to watch for in your bird dog, what the common tests can miss, and how to think about treatment without panic spending.

• Sam’s head tremors and the path to a valley fever diagnosis 
• How dogs get valley fever from desert dust and why it is not contagious 
• Where valley fever shows up in the body including lungs, bones, and brain 
• Prednisone as a short term inflammation tool versus antifungals that treat the fungus 
• Fluconazole basics, treatment timelines, and what “low titer” can still mean 
• Why a negative blood test may not fully rule it out and when to retest 
• Practical risk reduction for Arizona hunting dogs during dusty conditions 
• Vet experience and pricing notes including West Valley Animal Hospital in Peoria 
• Reading your dog’s behavior, energy, and tail wagging as a health signal 

If you like what you hear, make sure you share it with a friend, rate it, do whatever you can to knock up our algorithms and get get the word out there to help fulfill that purpose uh to educate and encourage the next generation of quail hunters in Arizona. 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! 
Follow us on Instagram at @azquailtoday

We lay out a simple off-season plan for keeping our bird dogs conditioned through the Arizona heat while staying safe and consistent. We also share an update on Arizona quail season dates and why summer effort is where fall success really starts. 
• quick update on Arizona quail season dates for Gambel’s, scaled and Mearns 
• river and lake swimming for low-impact conditioning and confidence 
• using higher elevation in Northern Arizona to beat the heat 
• training options through clubs and self-planted birds for controlled sessions 
• early morning Valley workouts with a focus on safety and consistency 
• why short, smart sessions beat long risky ones 
• dog camp value for obedience, bird work and becoming a better handler 
• summer travel, scouting and keeping bird hunting about more than birds 

To help further our work, please consider making a tax-deductible gift. Visit us online at azquelltoday.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

We sit down with Sam and Annie to talk about how a young couple blends love, faith, and hunting into a future family life built on adventure. We swap stories from quail hunts and deer blinds, dig into clean meat and nutrition, and end with simple encouragement for anyone curious about getting started. 
• Annie’s background, how she gets into elk and deer hunting without growing up around it 
• First quail hunt impressions, dogs working and the speed of upland shooting 
• How hunting fits into marriage and future family culture 
• Picking the right dog for hunting and home life, plus managing allergies 
• Why quail eggs and wild game matter for clean eating and high-protein nutrition 
• The Arkansas deer hunt story, including Sam scoping himself 
• Why processing and skinning feels satisfying and how it connects to respect for food 
• Practical encouragement for new hunters to try it before committing 
As always, visit us over at azquailtoday.com. 
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! 
Follow us on Instagram at @azquailtoday