Bruce, we're in the same situation in Southern California with both quail and chukars. In some areas where there is "permanent" (?) water, there are small populations left, but most of that is near people, i.e. where you can't hunt....those will serve as "seed" populations when/if the rains return, I hope.
And the extreme fire hazard means that many of the areas where you still could hunt are closed much of the time because of that. They don't usually do a good job of letting the public know when/where there is a closure, so you can drive a hundred miles to hunt and find that you....can't hunt. Can't even get out for a walk. Frustrating.
I'm thinkin' Idaho or Montana for next bird season. Or stamp collecting.
