There are moments every summer that remind me exactly why AZ Quail Today exists.
It’s usually just after sunrise.
The coffee is hot. The dogs are whining with excitement. Shotguns are being uncased. A young boy stands quietly beside a man who isn’t his biological father—but for today, and hopefully for many years to come, he’ll be something just as important.
A mentor.
Most people assume AZ Quail Today is simply about quail hunting.
It isn’t.
Quail hunting is the classroom.
The real lesson is character.
The real mission is investing in boys.
That’s why one of the greatest privileges we have each year is partnering with Fathers in the Field, a Christ-centered ministry that connects fatherless boys with faithful Christian men who commit to walking alongside them through life. Together, we’re helping young men discover confidence, responsibility, faith, and the healing that comes from having someone believe in them.
At AZ Quail Today, we’re honored to serve as the preferred quail hunting partner for Fathers in the Field. Our role is simple: we educate and encourage the next generation of quail hunters while using the outdoors to create life-changing mentoring experiences.
Preparing for More Than a Hunt
What many people don’t see is all the preparation that happens long before camp begins.
These boys don’t simply show up and start hunting.
Many have completed Hunter Education through Arizona Game and Fish. They’ve spent early mornings or evenings at the Ben Avery Shooting Facility learning to shoot skeet safely and confidently. They’ve studied firearm safety, hunting ethics, wildlife conservation, and the responsibility that comes with carrying a shotgun.
By the time camp arrives, they’re ready to learn.
Every one of these Mentor Fathers volunteers his time because he believes a young man is worth investing in.
That alone is inspiring.
A Day at Camp
Every day begins early.
Coffee is brewing. Breakfast is cooking. Stories are already being shared around camp.
Before anyone loads a shotgun, we gather for a field safety briefing. We review muzzle control, communication, shooting over pointing dogs, and exactly what everyone should expect once we’re in the field.
Safety is never assumed.
It’s taught.
While everyone is getting ready, I’ll head into the field planting Georgia Bobwhite quail from Rylee Cross at CF Gamebirds.
Over the course of camp, we’ll plant nearly 100 birds.
Thankfully, I have a little help.
My Off-Mountain e-bike from Rides-N-Motion in Flagstaff has become one of the hardest-working pieces of equipment we own. It saves countless hours of walking while preparing the courses and allows me to reset fields quickly between groups.
Our hunters are also equipped with outstanding gear from Marsupial Gear. From bird vests to Sun Tech Hoodies, their equipment keeps them comfortable during long days in Arizona’s uplands.
I’m grateful for partners who don’t just sponsor our organization—they invest in these boys.
Learning the Right Way
Once the birds are planted, the real adventure begins.
Each Mentor Father heads into the field with his Field Buddy.
The young hunter usually carries a 20-gauge over-under shotgun while the Mentor Father focuses entirely on coaching, encouragement, and firearm safety.
I handle the bird dogs.
That job matters.
A steady pointing dog creates a safe hunt. When the birds flush, those dogs should remain perfectly still. Well-trained dogs protect everyone in the field while giving young hunters the opportunity to experience upland hunting the way it was meant to be.
I’m especially thankful for Guy Mollicone at Mollicone Kennels, one of our newest sponsors. Because of Guy’s generosity, these boys get to hunt behind exceptionally trained bird dogs—an experience many hunters never have.
After several braces, we return to camp for lunch.
Sometimes we enjoy an afternoon rain shower.
Sometimes someone sneaks in a nap.
Then we head back into the field and do it all again.
By the end of camp, every boy has experienced what so many upland hunters remember for the rest of their lives—walking behind a pointing dog, watching birds flush, making great shots, and building confidence that prepares them for future wild quail hunts across Arizona.
The Best Moments Aren’t in the Field
Honestly, some of my favorite memories don’t happen during the hunt.
They happen around the campfire.
Sharing meals.
Cooking together.
Talking about life.
Laughing about missed birds.
Listening to stories.
Watching a young man begin opening up because someone finally slowed down long enough to listen.
Those moments matter.
Relationships are built around campfires.
Trust is earned one conversation at a time.
That’s exactly why Fathers in the Field exists, and it’s why AZ Quail Today is proud to partner with them.
The outdoors has an incredible way of opening hearts.
The Mission Is Growing
What started as a passion to educate and encourage Arizona quail hunters has continued to grow.
The AZ Quail Today Podcast is now nearing 10,000 downloads, and that tells me something important: people care about this mission. They care about Arizona’s upland hunting heritage. They care about bird dogs, conservation, mentoring, and passing these traditions on to the next generation.
That growth is exciting, but it also creates new opportunities and new responsibilities.
In the days ahead, we’re also working toward opening an online AZ Quail Today store with hats, shirts, stickers, and more. Our hope is that the store will give people another way to support the mission, represent AZ Quail Today, and help us continue building momentum for the future.
But the heart of the work will always remain the same.
We want to educate and encourage the next generation of quail hunters in Arizona.
We want to support Mentor Fathers and Field Buddies.
We want to create meaningful outdoor experiences that shape young men for years to come.
Why We Need Your Help
Experiences like these don’t happen by accident.
They happen because generous people decide they matter.
Every camp requires birds, dog care, food, fuel, ammunition, insurance, safety equipment, volunteer hours, and countless behind-the-scenes expenses.
Throughout the year, we continue serving these Mentor Fathers and Field Buddies through additional hunts, shooting events, educational opportunities, conservation projects, and outdoor adventures.
Your support also helps us continue producing the AZ Quail Today Podcast, educational articles, videos, bird dog training content, hunting resources, and future projects like our online store.
This summer, we’re launching our annual fundraising campaign with a goal of raising $10,000.
Those gifts will help fund our camps, expand our mentoring efforts, improve our educational content, grow the podcast, launch new resources, and continue investing in the next generation of Arizona quail hunters.
If AZ Quail Today has ever encouraged you, taught you something new, inspired your love for upland hunting, or reminded you why the outdoors matter, would you consider partnering with us?
Whether you choose to become a monthly supporter or make a one-time tax-deductible gift, every dollar helps make these experiences possible.
Together, we’re preserving Arizona’s hunting heritage.
Together, we’re equipping the next generation.
Together, we’re helping Mentor Fathers invest in boys who need someone to believe in them.
Because at the end of the day, we’re not just raising quail hunters.
We’re helping raise the next generation of men.
Thank you for believing in this mission.
Support AZ Quail Today today.
Your gift is tax-deductible and will directly impact the lives of Mentor Fathers, Field Buddies, and the future of Arizona’s upland hunting heritage.
Thank you for standing with us.