Region 4 contact information:
(928) 342-0091
9140 E 28th St
Yuma, AZ 85365

UNIT 20C

SPECIES: GAMBEL'S QUAIL | FORECAST: GOOD

Most of the unit is quality quail habitat. Quail are already calling and reproduction should be good due to good winter rainfall and abundant forbs for forage. Peak calling activity occurs during mid-April and the first week of May. Hunters should concentrate their efforts near permanent water. Permanent water is not essential for quail survival but quail densities are typically higher near water.  Quality bird hunting (especially in good years) is usually found at mid elevations where the vegetation is a grassland and shrub mix. Drainages in the unit that are perennial at least along portions of their length include Date Creek, the Hassayampa, Waterman Creek, South Fork of the Santa Maria, and Kirkland Creek. Both the Date Creek/Hillside Rd. and the Wagoner/Crown King Rd. provide access to quality quail hunting.

SPECIES: DOVE | FORECAST: GOOD

Good dove numbers should be found around stock ponds and drainages throughout the lower desert areas to the south and west of the unit near Congress and Wickenburg. Wetter years produce abundant annual plants that in turn produce tremendous quantities of seed that dove feed on all summer long and tends to more evenly distribute dove throughout the habitat.  During these conditions desert stock ponds are excellent locations to hunt. When hunting stock ponds do not expect much activity until mid to late morning. Remember the dove hunting hours in the early season in 20C is only a half-day.

SPECIES: WATERFOWL (DUCKS & GEESE) | FORECAST: FAIR

The larger stock ponds typically hold resting ducks and some geese during migration. Agricultural areas associated with major drainages and river bottoms throughout the unit will also attract migrating waterfowl. These areas are mostly private and hunters should try to identify flight paths to and from the fields located on public lands. Riparian corridors like the Santa Maria and Hassayampa Rivers act as natural migration routes for over passing waterfowl. Setting up on near by stock ponds and calling increase chances for success.

SPECIES: COTTONTAIL RABBITS | FORECAST: GOOD

Hunting around the rolling grasslands east of Hillside provides quality cottontail hunting and equally as important, flat open terrain for walking.  Cottontails can be found throughout the unit and provide valuable practice and even table fare for the beginning and experienced hunter alike.

UNITS 39 and 40

SPECIES: GAMBEL'S QUAIL | FORECAST: AVERAGE-GOOD

Earlier this year, many coveys were observed. Currently, the area has received some November and December rainfalls and the results have been significantly more observations. Gambel’s quail can be generally found along large washes and closely associated to mountains. A quail call can be helpful in locating coveys, as they call back.

SPECIES: DOVE | FORECAST: GOOD

Although agricultural food sources vary from year to year, seed production in the desert is above average and should contribute to good numbers of dove during the season. The introduction of Eurasian doves has increased opportunities to hunt year round. Eurasian doves are frequent visitors of dairies and municipalities. Doves can be found throughout the units where open water and/or agriculture operations are located. A common practice is to set up near water or agriculture fields at day break and take your shot as they fly by.

SPECIES: SNIPE | FORECAST: GOOD

Snipe hunting should prove productive in marshy areas.  Look for the erratic flight of flushed birds as you travel through traditional waterfowl hunting areas along the Colorado River.

SPECIES: WATERFOWL (DUCKS & GEESE) | FORECAST: FAIR-GOOD

Conditions for migrating waterfowl along the Colorado River should be good.  Weather patterns in the western U.S. should be monitored, as a good winter storm up north often translates to good hunting opportunities in the southwest. 

SPECIES: COTTONTAIL RABBITS | FORECAST: GOOD

This small game species generally responds well to the amount of winter precipitation we have received. Expect good hunting opportunities for rabbits along desert washes and adjacent to agricultural fields.

UNIT 41

SPECIES: GAMBEL'S QUAIL | FORECAST: GOOD

The 2009 hunt is expected to be a good one, with areas near agriculture experiencing the best hatches.

The heart of the desert quail hunting in the unit is the Palomas Plains north of Dateland. Numerous large desert riparian that provide good quail habitat bisect this large, flat area.

Wellton Mohawk Valley and Gila River area: A fair hatch has produced fair to good numbers along the north side of the valley and Gila River area. Birds along the Gila River are very difficult to hunt because of the dense brush. Please take notice of the private land and posting and don’t enter fields where standing crops are growing.

SPECIES: DOVE | FORECAST: GOOD

Although agricultural food sources vary from year to year, seed production in the desert is above average and should contribute to good numbers of dove during the season. The introduction of Eurasian doves has increased opportunities to hunt year round. Eurasian doves are frequent visitors of dairies and municipalities. Doves can be found throughout the unit where open water and/or agriculture operations are located. Areas adjacent to agricultural fields and along the Gila River can be especially productive while desert washes can also provide good hunting opportunities usually with lower hunter densities.

SPECIES: SNIPE | FORECAST: Fair

This challenging game bird can be found in agricultural areas and occasionally at desert stock tanks.  

SPECIES: WATERFOWL (DUCKS & GEESE) | FORECAST: FAIR-GOOD

Areas along the Gila River often provide excellent hunting opportunities. Watch the weather reports from up north and keep tabs on local back waters, as ducks and geese may suddenly arrive in an area overnight. 

SPECIES: COTTONTAIL RABBITS | FORECAST: GOOD

Areas surrounding farm fields and desert washes are the place to be if you want to take advantage of this plentiful small game species.

UNIT 42

SPECIES: GAMBEL'S QUAIL | FORECAST: AVERAGE-GOOD

The 2009 hunt is expected to be slightly above average for quail numbers.  Unit 42 contains large areas of upland Sonoran desert scrub; large desert washes and limited areas of agriculture in the southeastern and northwestern portions that all produce good numbers of quail.  Although water is not required for quail survival areas around game water development, stock ponds and agricultural areas usually contain the highest concentrations.

SPECIES: DOVE | FORECAST: GOOD

Dove hunting conditions in the fall will be dependent on the characteristics of the summer monsoon rainfall pattern.  If the summer rains are widespread and plentiful then doves tend to be very scattered with the only concentration being around agricultural grain crops and water sources.  Hunting conditions after dry summers are usually best around water sources, as doves will tend to be very concentrated.  The best water sources under either scenario are those that have consistently had water all year.

SPECIES: SNIPE | FORECAST: UNCOMMON

Snipe are not common in unit 42 and are rarely hunted.

SPECIES: WATERFOWL (DUCKS & GEESE) | FORECAST: FAIR-GOOD

Waterfowl hunting is restricted to jumping desert stock ponds in Unit 42.

SPECIES: COTTONTAIL RABBITS | FORECAST: GOOD

Cottontail rabbits are very abundant in Unit 42 because of plentiful rains the last few years and hunting is usually best in the large washes in very early morning and late afternoon.  Large washes adjacent to agricultural areas tend to have the highest concentrations.

UNIT 43

SPECIES: GAMBEL'S QUAIL | FORECAST: GOOD

The outlook for quail is good on the Cibola NWR as well as the surrounding desert areas and washes near the Colorado River.

SPECIES: DOVE | FORECAST: GOOD

The outlook for dove is good along the Colorado River from Ehrenberg south to the Cibola NWR.  On the Cibola NWR there should be good dove hunting in the wheat fields on the Farm Unit II.  There is also a fair amount of dove around water catchments west of highway 95 and east of the Kofa NWR, with less hunter concentration than areas along the river.

SPECIES: SNIPE | FORECAST: GOOD

Marshy areas along the Colorado River aregood places to encounter this game bird as they erratically flush from nearby vegetation. 

SPECIES: WATERFOWL (DUCKS & GEESE) | FORECAST: FAIR-GOOD

Backwaters of the Colorado often provide good hunting over decoys while the main channel often provides opportunities for pass shooting.

SPECIES: COTTONTAIL RABBITS | FORECAST: GOOD

The outlook for rabbit is good to very good along the Colorado River between Ehrenberg and Cibola, and good on the Cibola NWR.

UNIT 44A

SPECIES: GAMBEL'S QUAIL | FORECAST: AVERAGE-GOOD

The outlook for quail should be above average for 2009. A good hatch is expected this spring which means the overall population should be up from last year. Last year the Harquahala's received more summer rains than the Harcuvar's so more birds should have survived. Hunters can expect to see fairly large coveys around the agricultural fields and around the base of the mountains.

The Centennial Wash between Salome and Aguila should be a good spot for quail. Both the Harquahala's and Harcuvar's are currently supporting fair numbers of quail around the base of the mountains. The Black Mountains and the upper end of Alamo Lake have a good number of birds. The upper end of Alamo i.e. Bill Williams, Big Sandy, and Santa Maria Rivers usually have a good number of birds but the brush is thick and can be difficult to hunt.

SPECIES: DOVE | FORECAST: GOOD

Average to above average rainfall in 2008-2009 have created good range conditions which should produce a good crop of morning doves. White wings are typically more in the southern portion of the district particularly around the melon fields and are more susceptible to the cool evenings caused by the summer monsoons. Depending on rainfall this fall, the late season should be fairly good to excellent. Usually with some pre-opening day scouting one can find concentrations of doves.

Hunters usually concentrate around the agricultural areas between Aguila and Salome. These areas are especially good during drier years. During the late season there usually are plenty of dove on the desert stock tanks. When hunting stock ponds, do not expect much activity until mid to late morning. Dove usually feed first thing in the morning before going to water. Hunters can use this strategy by hunting around agriculture for the first few hours then driving to a stock pond later in the morning.

The late season can be exceptional and with fewer hunters. Dove will exhibit the same pattern of going to water mid morning. This hunt overlaps the quail hunt and offers an under utilized opportunity to hunt two bird species during cooler conditions in the desert.
 

SPECIES: SNIPE | FORECAST: GOOD

Snipe are a highly under used sporting opportunity. Hunt flooded areas with low
cover along rivers and agricultural pump backs. Duck hunters may wish to finish off their mornings with a walk through marshy areas for these birds. Flooded agricultural areas often provide excellent hunting. 

SPECIES: WATERFOWL (DUCKS & GEESE) | FORECAST: FAIR-GOOD

Usually it takes a hard freeze up north to move the ducks down.
Desert and agricultural ponds provide good jump shooting for ducks and occasionally geese. Alamo Lake usually provides fairly good duck hunting opportunity with a limited opportunity for geese. Make sure and check current regulations for changes this year.

SPECIES: COTTONTAIL RABBITS | FORECAST: GOOD

Unlike other game species, rabbits have a protracted breeding season and were able to take advantage of the excellent summer rains. Rabbits can be found predictably in most traditional places. Most desert foothills areas and agricultural areas should hold cottontails. Hunt along desert washes with a shotgun to flush hiding rabbits or hunt early mornings and late afternoons with a 22 around cover and near clearings. Try glassing with binoculars early and late from ridge tops to locate rabbits in wash bottoms. Brushy areas around water sources are good bets when looking for these animals.

UNIT 44B

SPECIES: GAMBEL'S QUAIL | FORECAST: AVERAGE-GOOD

Quail can be found throughout unit 44B and are often associated with large and small washes.  A wet winter should help boost population numbers going into next fall.  Large washes such as Bouse and Apache should hold some birds.  Also look towards the low foothills of the new waters and mid-Plomosas.  Hunters should pay attention to summer rainfall patterns and look towards those greener areas next fall.

SPECIES: DOVE | FORECAST: GOOD

Dove like quail are associated with large washes, they will roost overnight and then come into water first thing in the morning.  Some of the larger populations are on the east side of 44B either at stock tanks along county road 42E or around the agricultural fields in Vicksburg.  Hunters are reminded to be respectful of the agricultural area and clean up after themselves.  Late season hunting is generally good near water sources and along agricultural areas.

SPECIES: SNIPE | FORECAST: not available

There are no riparian areas within the unit that provide habitat for Snipe but some opportunity is found in surrounding units.

SPECIES: WATERFOWL (DUCKS & GEESE) | FORECAST: not available

There are no stock tanks within the unit that provide habitat for Ducks or Geese but plenty of opportunity is in surrounding units.

SPECIES: COTTONTAIL RABBITS | FORECAST: GOOD

Cottontails are found throughout unit 44B and populations have been improving over the past few years.  Large and medium washes should provide good cottontail populations and productive rabbit hunting. Hunters should start early in the morning, when rabbits are more active.  Some successful techniques are walking the edges of thick washes or glassing the edges of agricultural fields with binoculars for feeding rabbits.

UNIT 45 (Kofa National Wildlife Refuge)

SPECIES: GAMBEL'S QUAIL | FORECAST: GOOD

The outlook for quail is good on the Kofa NWR with lots of decent sized coveys dispersed evenly throughout the refuge. 

SPECIES: DOVE | FORECAST: not open for dove hunting

SPECIES: WATERFOWL (DUCKS & GEESE) | FORECAST: not open for waterfowl hunting

SPECIES: COTTONTAIL RABBITS | FORECAST: GOOD

Desert washes should hold good numbers and of this small game species this year.  Adding some rabbits to your game bag while quail hunting is a great way to take advantage of this abundant small game species.