Northern California Quail…

[mountainmanb]

Gonna head out to hunt quail tomorrow. Has anyone hunted them right after or during a rain storm? Always hunted them in dry weather.

 

[j3h8]

Probably going to be a tough hunt in the rain. Even with a dog the birds are going to be tough to flush. Not impossible and still probably a great day of memories, just not something I'd attempt... But I'm also lazy.

 

[chemist]

Haven't hunted in northern California but have hunted quail a bunch of other places. Kind of depends on how hard the rain was. After a hard rain it can be harder for the dogs to pick up scent.

If the bird's feathers are wet they probably will be less inclined to fly and will either run or hold really tight. If there feathers are wet and they do fly, then they will likely seem like they are flying in slow motion.

 

[mountainmanb]

Haven't hunted in northern California but have hunted quail a bunch of other places. Kind of depends on how hard the rain was. After a hard rain it can be harder for the dogs to pick up scent.

If the bird's feathers are wet they probably will be less inclined to fly and will either run or hold really tight. If there feathers are wet and they do fly, then they will likely seem like they are flying in slow motion.

Exactly what I was thinking.

 

[mountainmanb]

I went out today with the wife and two young daughter. Lots of quail about. They definitely hung around the thick stuff after a night of rain. If they scrambled in it they were gone. I did manage a few. The ones near steep heavy cover had to fly into it. Gave me and my dog the greatest chance to get a shot off. Started to rain as I was heading back to the truck. Was a good day out either way the family.