24 August President’s Corner

A quick update to let you know what is going on with Southern Arizona Quail Forever.  This is going out a week earlier than normal to highlight the Robbins Butte, Red Rock and BANWR opportunities.

-Southern AZ June and July monsoon rainfall has been good for most areas.  Grass is very green right now.  Bug spray is advised in many areas with lots of mosquitoes.

-I have heard a few reports of mearns chicks and flowering Oxalis.

-It is time to keep your dogs and yourself in condition for fall hunting.

-Dove season opens 1 Sep, a few of us are headed to Robbins Butte to help mentor a youth hunt opening morning.  There is also an opportunity to volunteer at the planned Dove check station 1 Sep at Red Rock.  More info is available on our web site.

-U.S. Fish and Wildlife staff at Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge [BANWR] has two Masked Bobwhite chick releases in Aug with a total of over 400 birds.  One of these releases is complete and the other will take place 29/30 Aug. These chicks were released with wild captured male Texas Bobwhites.  A group of 15-20 chicks are paired with a neutered male Texas Bobwhite and given a chance to bond in flight pens before release.  The Texas Bobwhites were neutered to prevent cross breeding.  Anyone desiring to participate or view the releases 29/30 Aug please contact Rebecca Chester at rebecca_chester@fws.gov or (520) 823-4251 ext 105.

-Hog Canyon.  I previously reported that an agreement was in place for Hog and Adobe Canyons to have open public access.  Currently there is only an agreement with Hog Canyon and the agreement for Adobe Canyon is still in work.

-This should ensure access remains open off highway 82.

-This has been a multiyear effort that has finally come to fruition.

-New issue.  The road going to Bog Hole in the San Rafael Valley has been locked by the rancher.  AZ G&F is working to regain access to this wildlife area.  I have asked what we can do to help.

-US Forest Service has completed the permits to allow Borderlands Restorations to start work on loose rock structures about 30 miles SE of Sonoita.  Borderlands has completed about 35 small structures in degrading arroyos to date, working in and around the rains.  Pictures are pasted below.

-We received some trail camera pictures of wildlife using our guzzler at Ramsey Well.  These pictures are available on our website.  We saw numerous quail tracks nearby on our last visit, Pima County is adjusting the sensitivity on the trail camera so hopefully we will have some quail pictures in the future.

-AZ G&F is working a study with the UofA to look at capturing and transferring Gambels Quail from urban areas and golf courses to desert areas to kick start populations after drought.  Will pass on more info as I get it.

Volunteers needed:  Please consider volunteering to be a member of one of our committees.  We need help on habitat, banquet and youth committees.

-Planning for our second Quail Festival co-hosted with AZ G&F is progressing well.

-It will be held 1-4 PM 8 Dec at the Sonoita Fairgrounds which is the opening weekend of mearns.  It gives you an opportunity to get out and hunt in the morning and stop by in the afternoon.  Well behaved dogs are welcome.

-In addition to AZ G&F and the chapter several other organizations will have tables including; US Fish and Wildlife, Sky Islands Alliance, AZ Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, Q5 Outdoor Products, Mule Deer Foundation, National Wild Turkey Foundation, Pima County Parks and Rec, Coronado Outdoors, HuntMaps, Alberto with Mearns Diet Study, BLM, North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association and others.

-We plan to sell hats and shirts to offset some of our costs, we have the volunteers we need to help out.  See the logo for the event below – our shirts will contain this logo.

-Nick Besenick and the Southern AZ German Shorthair Club will sell burgers and dogs.

-We have scheduled meetings at the fairgrounds in Sonoita 12 Dec (a Wed), 17 Jan and 21 Feb.

-We will hold meetings 15 Nov and 14 Mar in Sahuarita at the American Legion Hall Post 66.

-All meetings will be 7-9 PM with social starting at 6:30.

–Please send me your thoughts on our meetings to help us provide what members want.  If you have a speaker recommendation, please send it.

We have locked in 2 Feb for next years banquet with the fairgrounds and the caterer.  If you or someone you know can help with items or money to donate its not too early to start working it.  We have several mechanisms in place now to support habitat and youth.  Maybe you and someone you know might be willing to underwrite one of the youth shotguns we give away.  We have received a pledge or checks for three guns to date.  If you have ideas or have something in work let Steve Geerligs (sgeerligs1@yahoo.com) our new banquet chair or myself know.

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