Where to hunt Yucatan Bobwhite
Bobwhite Quail, or “Gentleman Bob”, is a cult bird for some American hunters and bird dog lovers, with importance that seems to be in the opposite proportion to the bird’s diminutive size. In addition to the varieties of Quail found in the USA, such as California (or valley), mountain, blue, Gambel’s, and Montezuma quail, a unique variety of America’s smallest gamebird, the Black-Throated Bobwhite, is found in the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico.
Price distribution
To hunt the Yucatan Bobwhite Quail, you will have to undertake a real hunting expedition into the wilds of the ancient Maya country. The hunt will last at least 7 days and will cost just under $5,000. This price doesn’t include shooting fees for the birds and beasts you will be fortunate to harvest. Some outfitters may charge up to $250 for a Bobwhite Quail.
When to hunt Yucatan Bobwhite?
Hunting in the Yucatan is conducted during the dry season, as in the wet season the mud roads present a big problem, while the animals are scattered around the jungle rather than concentrated over water sources. Bird hunters prefer the spring season, which runs from March till May, and big-game hunters the fall season, September to November.
Hunting methods
Some outfitters in Yucatan breed pointers, and offer the classic and exciting way of quail hunting over bird dogs. Like its northern cousin, Yucatan bobwhite takes to shrub and bush habitat, often near agricultural areas. In absence of dogs, it can be hunted by walking in line, or better yet, in a horseshoe shape, with the hunter(s) at the bottom and ends, and the guides in between. This increases the likelihood of flushing the birds, and one that escapes one gunner may fly into another.
Why hunt Yucatan Bobwhite?
“The little fellow doesn't weigh but about six ounces but every ounce of him is pure class.” – says Robert Ruark about Bobwhite Quail in “The Old Man and the Boy”. – “He's smart as a whip, and every time you go up against him you're proving something about yourself.” Hundreds of Americans flock to Mexico each year to add a new dimension to their favorite pursuit. With the opportunities to immerse in the ancient Maya country, listen to the sounds and feel the smells of the rainforest, hunting in the Yucatan provides a unique opportunity for adventure.
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