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Mountain Quail
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Looking for your next hunt? These are the most popular states for this species.
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Intro to this species—landscapes, strategies, costs, and comforts.
Summary
The Mountain Quail (Oreortyx pictus) is a distinctive game bird native to the mountainous regions of western North America, prized by hunters for both its challenging pursuit and savory meat. This species is characterized by its striking plumage, with males exhibiting a combination of slate-gray feathers accented by warm rust-colored markings, along with a prominent, long, and erect crest on their heads. Mountain Quail are typically found in dense thickets and steep terrain, making them elusive targets that require skillful navigation and strategic approaches for successful hunting. Their strong, swift flight and tendency to flush at close range test a hunter’s marksmanship, while their unique habitat often necessitates specialized equipment and a keen understanding of their behavior. Cautious and quick to flee, these birds offer a rewarding challenge, appealing to both seasoned hunters and newcomers alike.
Explore HuntsHunt Features
Mountain quail hunts pair thrilling upland sport with scenic high-country terrain. These birds inhabit brush-choked hillsides and riparian draws, often alongside other grouse and dove species, and favor cover near springs, creeks, and south-facing slopes. Populations tend to be stable year to year and bag limits generous, allowing hunts to adapt from early-season dispersal across the mountains to winter concentrations in lower elevations. Experienced guides typically employ well-trained pointing and retrieving dogs to locate and flush coveys, delivering a dynamic spot-and-flush experience. With crafty flight behavior and excellent table fare, mountain quail offer both seasoned wingshooters and newcomers a rewarding, memorable pursuit.
Explore HuntsAmenities
Mountain Quail hunts are most often offered as guided day trips without included lodging or overnight facilities. Hunters typically return to their own accommodations or local motels each evening, with sleeping arrangements handled independently of the hunt package. Meal provisions vary by outfitter—some include breakfast, lunch, and snacks in the cost of the hunt, while others require hunters to bring their own food. Because these are daytime outings, no dedicated heating or cooling systems are provided in the field, and any comfort facilities depend on the hunter’s personal or off-site arrangements.
Explore HuntsStates Offered:
We think these three hunts should be at the top of your list.
Mountain Quail 3-Day Hunt
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.
California
Mountain Quail
2100
Trinity Fork Outfitters
Fair Chase
Public
Unspecified
Yes
Unspecified
Unspecified
Meals Provided
Unspecified
2100
Includes Dogs
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Mountain Quail Day Hunt
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.
California
Mountain Quail
700
Trinity Fork Outfitters
Fair Chase
Public
None - Day Hunt
No
N/A
N/A
Meals Not Provided
Unspecified
700
Includes Dogs
What you need to know before you book:
What type of terrain should I expect when hunting mountain quail?
What methods are commonly used to hunt mountain quail?
Is hunting mountain quail a good fit for new hunters?
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Mountain Quail 3-Day Hunt
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.
California
Mountain Quail
2100
Trinity Fork Outfitters
Fair Chase
Public
Unspecified
Yes
Unspecified
Unspecified
Meals Provided
Unspecified
2100
Includes Dogs
Mountain Quail Day Hunt
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.
California
Mountain Quail
700
Trinity Fork Outfitters
Fair Chase
Public
None - Day Hunt
No
N/A
N/A
Meals Not Provided
Unspecified
700
Includes Dogs
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