The outlook for the 2009 hunting season is mixed… in some areas, heavy rains and flooding throughout the summer and fall and ice storms during the winter of 2008 had a devastating impact on upland gamebird populations. In other areas, however, the rain proved beneficial, ending long-term drought conditions and replenishing cover and insect populations, the latter a critical food source for growing chicks.

Here's the state-by-state rundown.

ALABAMA
In 2007-08 approximately 13,500 hunters took an estimated 343,000 quail. Season this year probably Nov. 15-Feb. 28 with limit12 daily. Web: www.outdooralabama.com. Quail management publication www.outdooralabama.com/hunting/game/Quail.cfm.

Wildlife biologist Stan Stewart says, "Weather looks more favorable this year, with rains breaking a 3-year summer drought. Production should improve with favorable habitat.

Successful quail hunting on public lands is poor, and access to private lands with good quail numbers is limited."

ARKANSAS
Quail Nov.1- Feb. 8 (Several WMAs have different regulations). Game and Fish Dept. quail biologist Steve Fowler says, "I would suspect a similar season to last year, with fair to good hunting in isolated areas of the state." Good areas include the Fort Chaffee WMA, pine-bluestem restoration areas in the Ouachita National Forest. Fowler says,

"Several thousand acres of CP-33 have been established, mostly in East Arkansas. The new SAFE CCRP practice for grass establishment has created 4,000 acres of quality quail habitat." Small game five-day license $55 and $80 annual. Hunting guidebooks available at all license dealers. All info on website www.agfc.com

ARIZONA
Gambel's and scaled quail Oct. 2, Mearns Nov. 27. All run through Feb 7. Bag 15 daily (no more than eight Mearns), possession after opening day is 30. Ron Day, small game biologist for the Game and Fish Department, says, "For the second year in a row most of Arizona enjoyed a wet winter which means Gambel's and scaled quail should have another successful nesting season. Last year Mearns hunting was above average to great.

Early season tends to be hotter and drier than later in the year. Many bird hunters wait until after Dec. 1 to allow for winter moisture and the associated cooler temperatures."

Annual non-resident $151.25, three-day $61.25. Web site: http://www.azgfd.gov/. Up-to-date quail prospects on web in October. In the past Gambel's best between Phoenix and Kingman. Scaled is southeast quarter. Mearns often close to Gambel's and scaled.

CALIFORNIA
Pheasant - Nov. 14 - Dec. 27, daily 2 males first 2 days of the season; 3 after, possession double daily bag. Quail different zones, starting Sept. 12. Last bag report pheasant 103,364; California quail 382,130; mountain quail 104,765, Gambel's quail 43,533. Jesse Garcia of the Department of Fish and Game says low rainfall will cut production. Last year was above average production. Best pheasants Sacramento Valley, upper San Joaquin Valley, Sacramento and San Joaquin river delta, and Imperial Valley; California quail southern coast ranges and Sierra Nevada, and western Mojave Desert on Forest Service and BLM land; mountain quail high elevations of coast ranges, Sierra Nevada, and transverse ranges on Forest Service Land; Gambel's quail upland and riparian habitats of the Colorado River, Imperial and Coachella valleys, and desert mountains in eastern Imperial, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties. Check http://www.dfg.ca.gov/wildlife/hunting/uplandgame/gamebird/docs/Food_Plots_Map-2007_jpg.pdf Nonresident Hunting License: $136.50. Upland Game Bird Stamp: $8.

COLORADO
Seasons set in July, regulations brochure out in August. Season info at http://www.wildlife.state.co.us/hunting. Bobwhite, Gambel's and scaled, depending on area. Last year's fees $56 annual small game one-day $11. Walk-in permit $20. Buy on line or call (800) 244-5613. Directory guide for State Trust lands. Northeast has more than 100,000 walk-in acres, as does southeast. Counties include Weld, Morgan, Logan, Washington, Yuma, Phillips, Sedgewick Pueblo, Las Animas, Crowley, Lincoln, Kit Carson, Cheyenne, Kiowa, Prowers, Baca, and Bent.