{"id":1406,"date":"2019-11-30T18:37:49","date_gmt":"2019-12-01T01:37:49","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.saquailforever.com\/?p=1406"},"modified":"2024-01-09T10:11:24","modified_gmt":"2024-01-09T17:11:24","slug":"december-newsletter","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/saquailforever.com\/dev\/december-newsletter\/","title":{"rendered":"December Newsletter"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed-youtube wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Jim Shockey - North American Model\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/gpiXIaPd8pg?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Overview <\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The Gambels and Scaled Quail numbers have been spotty to poor across AZ with some of the better numbers seen further north.&nbsp; While not great it is better than the last few years.<br>Mearns opens 6 Dec and their numbers are always hard to predict until we get dogs in the field.&nbsp; Our weak monsoon rains do not bode well for a banner year.&nbsp; AZ G&amp;F has 5 wing barrels out in visible locations (Gardner Canyon, Ruby Road, Highway 83 south of Sonoita, Harshaw Road and Hog Canyon).&nbsp; Use of these barrels helps the department track bird information and sets you up for an annual digital hunter survey. &nbsp;<br>Please support local merchants when hunting in the Sonoita or Patagonia areas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Habitat<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/www.saquailforever.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/DSC_9854-2-1024x786.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1410\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><br><strong>H<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We have received a generous donation from the Robert D Fisher Foundation.&nbsp; This will support many new loose rock dams in the borderlands grassland project led by Coronado National Forest.&nbsp; The rock dams will slow water flow and improved habitat.&nbsp; We envision a combination of paid support and volunteer labor.&nbsp; We are working on a planning meeting in Dec &#8211; expect more detail soon.&nbsp; We will have a CNF presentation on the overall project in our Jan chapter meeting.<br>We are working with AZ G&amp;F and BLM in Sierra Vista to install quail ramps on water tanks. AZ G&amp;F and BLM have purchased the extruded metal ramps and installation hardware and have cut, bent and painted the hardware. They are now working to schedule ranches for installation.<br>We are working together with the Valley of the Sun Chapter out of Phoenix to fund a conservation easement and public access easement on ranch land near Tombstone.&nbsp; This land abuts public land resulting in a very large parcel.&nbsp; A conservation easement prevents the land from being developed and the public access agreement will allow hunting on the property in perpetuity.&nbsp; We expect the need to do some habitat work in the future.&nbsp; This land is primarily scaled quail country.&nbsp; AZ G&amp;F, AZ Land Trust and US Dept of Agriculture are putting the vast majority of funding into this purchase.&nbsp; AZSFWC is also providing a grant.&nbsp; Once all other moneys are in place we will actually cut a check.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Access to Public Lands <\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/www.saquailforever.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/DSC03345-1024x683.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1399\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><br><strong>A<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We will continue to do our road cleanup on highway 82 to promote a positive image of the chapter and to keep Hog Canyon access open.&nbsp; There is now a sign in box as you enter the private road leading to Hog Canyon as the result of a signed access agreement between the homeowners and AZ G&amp;F.&nbsp; Access to Adobe Canyon is still in work.<br>Walt Keyes, the road manager for Coronado National Forest is still working the process for approval of a planned by-pass road to reopen road access into the Meadow Valley area.&nbsp; The by-pass will not be open for this season.&nbsp; Walt is scheduled to speak at our Jan meeting.<br>Please be respectful of and make sure your actions do not impact public and private land.&nbsp; Close gates, pick up trash (yours and others) and keep speed and dust down.<br><strong>B<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Buenos Aires NWR:<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/www.saquailforever.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/2017releasePaula2-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1383\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Rebecca Chester from US Fish and Wildlife is looking for help from those with well trained dogs to help find Masked Bobwhite Quail on the refuge.&nbsp; If you can help please contact her directly at&nbsp;<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"mailto:rebecca_chester@fws.gov\" target=\"_blank\">rebecca_chester@fws.gov<\/a>&nbsp;or &nbsp;505-270-1492.<br>We provided volunteer labor to support 4 miles of wildlife friendly fencing along with several other wildlife conservation groups.&nbsp; The upper and lower strands of barbed wire were replaced with smooth wire.&nbsp; This permits pronghorn to crawl under and deer to jump over the fence without injury.&nbsp; This effort was led by Karen Klima from AZ G&amp;F and material was funded by Arizona Antelope Foundation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">QuailFest <\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/www.saquailforever.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/2019-Flyer-Revised-787x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1407\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Southern Arizona Quail Forever and Arizona Game and Fish Department co-host an annual event called QuailFest around the opening weekend for Montezuma or Mearns Quail.&nbsp;<br>It is scheduled for Sunday 8 Dec from 11 AM to 2 PM at Pioneer Hall in the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds in Sonoita.&nbsp; Southern Arizona German Shorthair Club will provide grilled hot dogs, hamburgers, chips and beverages at a nominal price.&nbsp; The event is held in the afternoon which gives hunters a chance to get out in the morning and stop by later.&nbsp;&nbsp;<br>QuailFest is an outdoor education forum and also shows the local community the significant economic impact that quail hunters and other outdoor enthusiasts bring to the local economy.&nbsp; &nbsp; Santa Cruz County is in the heart of&nbsp; Arizona Mearns country and sees hunters from nearly every western state and several Canadian provinces.&nbsp;<br>Well behaved dogs are permitted inside the hall so you will see a wide selection of great hunting dog breeds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><br><strong>Banquet<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"http:\/\/www.saquailforever.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/DSC_0476-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-90\" srcset=\"https:\/\/saquailforever.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/DSC_0476-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/saquailforever.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/DSC_0476-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/saquailforever.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/DSC_0476-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/saquailforever.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/DSC_0476-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/saquailforever.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/DSC_0476-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Our 2020 Banquet is scheduled for Sat 1 Feb at the fairgrounds in Sonoita.&nbsp; Please check our website for the initial list of the great items we have for auction or raffle.&nbsp;&nbsp;<em>Our banquet is the primary financial engine that permits us to do our habitat, access and youth work.<\/em><br>Tickets are at&nbsp;<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/squareup.com\/store\/CH3163_Southern_Arizona_Quail_Forever\" target=\"_blank\">https:\/\/squareup.com\/store\/CH3163_Southern_Arizona_Quail_Forever<\/a>.&nbsp; One bottle of wine per table, the first keg of beer, soft drinks and coffee are included in the price.&nbsp; Over 50% of the available tickets are sold.&nbsp; Ticket prices will increase on 6 Jan.&nbsp; We know life brings change, we will offer refunds for any tickets cancelled by 23 Jan.&nbsp; Please consider sponsoring the attendance of one of our government partners.<br><strong>G<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Getting Folks Outdoors:<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/www.saquailforever.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/58372731_10156920391107745_502166682895122432_o-1024x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1261\"\/><figcaption>Youth Member Hanna  Bartine with a Turkey She harvested with her Shotgun she won at the S.A.Q.F. Dinner <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>R3 (recruitment, retention and reactivation) is an effort aimed at increasing hunter participation. This is now a priority for almost all outdoor groups and G&amp;F from all 50 states. We are planning for our Family Day\/Youth Hunt 29 Feb 2020 along with partners from AZ G&amp;F, NWTF and Southern AZ German Shorthair Club.&nbsp; We are looking for all ages, backgrounds and abilities to either participate or volunteer for this event.&nbsp; In addition to youth participants, we welcome older participants that are interested in learning more about the outdoors.<br>We are purchasing additional equipment to support this event &#8211; any donation you may be able to help with would be greatly appreciated.<br>Take a few minutes to watch this video and share with a non outdoors\/hunting acquaintance.&nbsp;&nbsp;<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=gpiXIaPd8pg\" target=\"_blank\">https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=gpiXIaPd8pg<\/a><br><strong>Please make an effort to invite someone out hunting or outdoors this year!<\/strong><br><strong>Southern AZ Dog Boarding:<\/strong>Animal Watchers and More LLC, Huachuca City, AZ. 529-456-9020 was the only facility recommended from last months request for good places to board a dog.<br><strong>C<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Chapter Meetings:<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/www.saquailforever.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/IMG_1554-768x1024.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1056\"\/><figcaption>Chapter Meeting <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Here are the planned speakers for our 19\/20 meeting year.\u00a0 We are working to keep our meetings fun and educational.\u00a0 Meetings will start at 7 PM with a social period starting at 6:15.\u00a0 We will have pizza and sodas available for those coming directly from work and will pass the hat to offset costs.\u00a0\u00a0<strong><em>Everyone is welcome, feel free to bring guests!<\/em><\/strong><br>-12 Dec Fairgrounds in Sonoita &#8211; USFWS BANWR Masked Bobwhite Update, Greg Munther quail management update, Doug Burt Retention, Recruitment &amp; Reactivation (R3) initiative-16 Jan Fairgrounds Sonoita &#8211; Ugo Pennacchietti &#8211; Dog Training, Walt Keyes (CNF road manager) Meadow Valley plan, Daisy Kinsey (CNF District Ranger)\u00a0 Borderlands Plan-20 Feb American Legion (next to Titan museum) Green Valley\u00a0<strong>(this is a change)\u00a0<\/strong>&#8211; Larisa Harding New AZ G&amp;F Small Game Manager, Cherie Nelson Gambels Quail Translocation Project, Chris Parish from Peregrine Fund &#8211; lead ammo-19 Mar &#8211;\u00a0<strong>cancelled<\/strong><br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>AZ Sportsman for Wildlife Conservation (AZSFWC):<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/www.saquailforever.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/unnamed-1.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1121\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>SAQF has joined AZSFWC.&nbsp; You can sign up for their enews at&nbsp;<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"http:\/\/azsfwc.org\/\" target=\"_blank\">http:\/\/azsfwc.org<\/a>.&nbsp; This allows us to better coordinate with other wildlife groups.<br>Please consider purchasing a AZSFWC license plate to support wildlife when you renew your current AZ plate through ServiceArizona.&nbsp; The fee for this license supports the conservation grants provided by AZSFWC.<br><strong>National Outdoor Women\u2019s Weekend:<\/strong>Our sister chapter in Phoenix, Valley of the Sun is hosting a women\u2019s event in Mar.&nbsp; Further info can be found at&nbsp;<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.votsqf.com\/banquet.html\" target=\"_blank\">https:\/\/www.votsqf.com\/banquet.html<\/a>.<br><strong>C<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Chapter Website and Facebook:<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/www.saquailforever.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/Unknown.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1412\" width=\"618\" height=\"349\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>If you see an error or have a recommendation for improvement, please let us know.&nbsp; We are always looking for pictures, stories or articles to add.&nbsp; Dave is looking for help adding material to our<a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/Southern-Arizona-Quail-Forever-281868238814782\/\"> Facebook page<\/a> &#8211; this can be as simple as crossposting from other outdoors sites.&nbsp; If you can help, please contact Dave Brown at&nbsp;<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"mailto:browndave27@gmail.com\" target=\"_blank\">browndave27@gmail.com<\/a>.&nbsp; This could be an opportunity to get a child or grandchild more involved with the outdoors by asking for their help.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Future dates:<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/www.saquailforever.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/DSC03356-1024x683.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1409\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>6 Dec Mearns Opens<\/li><li>8 Dec QuailFest<\/li><li>12 Dec Chapter Meeting Fairgrounds Sonoita<\/li><li>16 Jan 20 Chapter Meeting Fairgrounds Sonoita<\/li><li>1 Feb 20 8th Annual Banquet Sonoita<\/li><li>3-6 Feb&nbsp; Support TRCP Regional Meeting in Sonoita<\/li><li>9 Feb 20 Quail Closes<\/li><li>14-16 Feb Quail Classic Minneapolis&nbsp;<\/li><li>20 Feb 20 Chapter Meeting Green Valley<\/li><li>TBD Feb 20 Winter Road Cleanup<\/li><li>29 Feb 20 Family Day\/Youth Hunt<\/li><li>6-8 Mar Valley of the Sun National Outdoor Women\u2019s Weekend<\/li><li>TBD 20 Chapter Officer Election Cycle<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/ssl.gstatic.com\/ui\/v1\/icons\/mail\/images\/cleardot.gif\" alt=\"\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><br><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Overview The Gambels and Scaled Quail numbers have been spotty to poor across AZ with some of the better numbers seen further north.&nbsp; While not great it is better than the last few years.Mearns opens 6 Dec and their numbers are always hard to predict until we get dogs in the field.&nbsp; Our weak monsoon&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":2550,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1,2],"tags":[33,38,39,49],"class_list":["post-1406","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized","category-updates","tag-mearns-quail","tag-quail-festival","tag-quail-forever","tag-scaled-quail"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/saquailforever.com\/dev\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1406","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/saquailforever.com\/dev\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/saquailforever.com\/dev\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/saquailforever.com\/dev\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/saquailforever.com\/dev\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1406"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/saquailforever.com\/dev\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1406\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2551,"href":"https:\/\/saquailforever.com\/dev\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1406\/revisions\/2551"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/saquailforever.com\/dev\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2550"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/saquailforever.com\/dev\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1406"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/saquailforever.com\/dev\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1406"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/saquailforever.com\/dev\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1406"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}