How to Find Quail in Nevada When You Aren't on the Lake



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Quail Hunting is a Great Way to Pass the Time in the Fall if you Aren't Bass Fishing. Here's How to Find These Wily Birds This Fall.

Find the Water Sources

In the last post I wrote I spoke briefly about the "guzzlers" that the Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) placed across the state. Guzzlers are structures that are placed in the middle of no where so that wildlife such as Desert Bighorn, Antelope, Deer, small game and upland game birds can drink. They collect water from rain and ground water sources such as springs and provide water to the animals year round. They are really man made watering holes! Quite a few of these guzzlers are located in Clark County and Southern Nye County. There is no trick to finding these water providing structures either. Simply go to NDOW and order your Nevada Water Development Atlas for 50$.

Cover Some Country

You may have to spend money for gas but with your trusty NDOW Atlas in hand you can go find guzzlers until your heart is content. During the early part of the season most birds won't stray to far from the guzzlers, but rarely are guzzlers very close to the road so in addition to driving all over Southern Nevada you are going to have to put miles on your feet. As the weather cools off the birds may stray a little further from the guzzler. Just a bit of advice on walking. Having good equipment such as boots, vest and layering is essential to a good, safe hunt in Southern Nevada. The weather can always change for the worse and you want to be covered if it does.


Find Mesquite Thickets

If you can find a mesquite thicket that is close to a guzzler you may be in for a great day of quail hunting! Quail, like most other upland game birds, love to be near or in cover. For quail, the thicker and thornier the better! You may rip some shirts so having a good hunting dog for these types of places is a huge benefit. If you don't have a dog you can always have a buddy do the flushing out of the thicket and take turns doing it like this.

Southern Nevada has very good numbers of quail and with a little experience, some gas, good boots and your trusty atlas you may be able to those quail this fall and fill your bag!