January Update

December 31, 2020 / SAQF

Overview:

As predicted Mearns numbers are poor.  Many of the covey found are small and appear to be hold over birds.  Gambel’s numbers are looking good after a couple of consecutive decent winter rain years. 
COVID cases continue to increase in AZ.  Our Family Day is still on the schedule but we will take a hard look before it goes forward  We are able to conduct quite a bit of habitat work with significant social distancing.


Habitat:

On the habitat side we have already completed a lot of loose rock dams on our Grasslands Project.  Our loose rock dams help during below average rainfall years by slowing runoff to keep water in the soil longer.  There have also been two great habitat days in Dec where hundreds of hours of volunteer labor improved quail habitat at BANWR.  We will get more habitat work done this season than any previous.


Chapter Finances

Without a banquet this year we are working other sources of funding to support out habitat, public land and R3/Youth events.  Every cent the chapter collects remains with the chapter for local work. Here are ways chapter members can help:-Many of you renew your QF membership at our banquet.  You can keep your membership current by by renewing at https://quailforever.org/getdoc/91f8dfad-47ad-46d6-af54-5649db42671f/Membership.aspx.  -Our banquet profit from merchandise, raffles and auctions averages about $100 per person.  If you are able, consider a donation directly to the chapter.  You can use a credit card at https://ch3163-southern-arizona-quail-forever.square.site.  A big thank you to those that have already done this.


Access to Public Lands:

-Meadow Valley road bypass is still moving forward slowly.  The pacing factor is the environmental study required by NEPA. CNF road manager is working to have a road in place for the 21/22 season.  USFS is now opened this project for public comment – info is available at https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=58624.
The conservation easement and public access easement on ranch land near Tombstone has been completed.  Both AZ QF Chapters provided funding plus we received a grant from AZSFWC.
The chapter completed a highway cleanup on Highway 82 to maintain a positive image for the chapter.

AZ Sportsman for Wildlife Conservation (AZSFWC) and Arizona Wildlife Federation (AWF):

Chapter Trailer

AQF is part of AZSFWC.  You can sign up for their enews at http://azsfwc.org.  This allows us to better coordinate with other wildlife groups and better communicate with AZ G&F leadership.  We are part of over 10,000 AZ sportsman represented by this organization.  We are also an affiliate of AWF which allows us to pool volunteer help and communicate with other wildlife and conservation organizations.
Please consider purchasing a AZSFWC license plate to support wildlife when you renew your current AZ plate through Service Arizona.  The fee for this license supports the conservation grants provided by AZSFWC.  Our Family Day/Youth Hunt has received AZSFWC grant support the last two years.


Chapter Website and Facebook:  

If you see an error or have a recommendation for improvement, please let us know.  We are always looking for pictures, stories or articles to add.  We are working to add instagram to our social media offerings.  If you see something that would be worthwhile to cross post, please send it to Dave Brown (browndave27@gmail.com) or Kerry Newberry (newberry.kerry@gmail.com). 


Future dates:

1960 AZ G&F Check Station
  • 3 Jan Dove Closes
  • 7 Feb 2021 Quail Closes
  • 9 Feb Road Cleanup
  • 27/28 Feb 2021 Family Day Empire Ranch