Are you searching for a mountain quail hunting guide to complete your upland slam? If we had to choose one upland bird to hunt the rest of our life, it would have to be the mountain quail. If it wasn’t for the beautiful landscapes they call home, they win the award for craftiness and excellent table fare. As the name implies, these are the birds of the mountains. The mountain quail loves brush choked hillsides next to water. It’s common to find mountain quail in the vicinity of sooty grouse, ruffed grouse, band-tailed pigeon, and squirrel, depending on the part of the state. We often find valley quail in the same spots as mountain quail in lower elevation locations, especially late in the season.
Folks often call amidst the season and ask if “now is a good time to hunt mountain quail?” The answer is always yes. While some years have better hatches than others – there isn’t the annual fluctuations in quail numbers like you might find in desert quail species. Mountain quail hunting in the early season is very different from the late season; however, no part of the season is better or worse. The early season the quail are more spread out across the mountains but never far from water. In the late season the snow pushes quail lower which concentrates the birds along lower elevation brushy south facing exposures. The season starts early, runs late, and bag limits are generous. There is no place better than California to chase mountain quail.
We use pointing dogs that are also trained to retrieve for quail hunts.
2024-25 Mountain Quail Hunting Seasons
Q1 General Season: September 14 – January 26
Daily Bag limit: 10 combined quail
Rates – Mountain Quail Hunting Guide
Rates for our mountain quail hunting guide service is below. The most common quail hunt length is 3-4 days.
Rates are per person.
| 1 day 0 night | 1 day 1 night | 1 day 2 nights | 2 day 2 nights | 2 day 3 nights | 3 day 3 nights | 3 day 4 nights | 4 day 4 nights |
| $500 | $700 | $900 | $1,400 | $1,600 | $2,100 | $2,300 | $2,800 |
Extra nights = $200
Extra days = $500
For combination hunts you should have a focus species in mind. The rate is the price for the species that cost the most to hunt. Other upland game, squirrel, and predator hunts are all the same price.
Inclusions
- A knowledgeable and experienced guide.
- Transportation from a pre-arranged meeting location to the field.
- Deli-style lunch.
- Non-alcoholic beverages.
- Breakfast and dinner for multi-day all inclusive hunts.
- Lodging for paid nights – sleeping arrangements vary by hunt type and guest preferences.
- Field care (plucking/skinning and gutting).
Exclusions
- Hunting license and upland game bird stamp.
- Personnel effects, daypack/vest, and clothing. Gear list will be provided. If you do need something let us know and we can usually work with you.
- Weapon and ammunition. Practice with your method of take. Pattern your shotgun with the non-toxic shot you will use on the hunt.
- Alcohol or tobacco products – no alcohol may be consumed before or while hunting.
- Lodging and meals for before and after the hunt dates.
- Transportation to the pre-arranged meeting location.
- Storage, butchering and processing of game beyond the basic field care.
- Taxidermy services.
Please give us a call to book a one-of-a-kind upland hunting trip.
