PHOENIX – This is the time of year Arizona’s waterfowl and small game hunters have been waiting for.
In addition to the start of the tree squirrel and band-tailed pigeon seasons on Friday, October 9, hunters can chase sooty (blue) grouse through November 8 and chukar through February 7, 2021. for cottontail rabbits it runs through June 30, 2021, with the Gambel and scaled quail seasons beginning October 16.
Johnathan O’Dell, a small game biologist with the Arizona Game and Fish Department and avid squirrel hunter, expects even better hunting this season than in 2019.
“The second straight year of wet winters, and not all snow in the highlands, means acorns and pine cones should be plentiful this fall and provide excellent resources for Abert’s squirrels,” O’Dell said. “They are still recovering from previous years, but squirrel numbers are changing rapidly in many areas.”
Both Arizona gray squirrel and Mexican fox populations should also be improving due to recent wet winter conditions, O’Dell said.
For more information on Arizona small game, check out the AZGFD Small Game Forecast at https://bit.ly/33xyCBt.
Spring tag applications are due October 13
Applications for spring turkey, javelin, bison and bear hunts must be received no later than Tuesday, October 13. To apply, visit www.azgfd.gov/hunting/draw.
Information provided by the Arizona Department of Fish and Game