In the event you’re new to chukar searching, don’t let its fame deter you and see what it’s like for your self
I keep in mind the primary chukar hunt I went on with my Wirehaired Pointing Griffon, Gunney. It was the final hunt of our first season upland searching collectively, and we chased the birds on public land in central Idaho. To place it merely: we received our butts kicked.
The birds, which are sometimes dubbed “purple legged satan birds,” had been pushed by winter climate onto solely the steepest south going through slopes. Gunney had some good factors, however due to the treacherous terrain full of scree fields, I used to be solely capable of get a few secure shot alternatives. And once I did so, I missed.
That’s how chukar searching could be. Of all of the forms of upland searching, it’s identified to be one of the difficult. However that’s not all the time the case, and also you shouldn’t let its fame deter you. Chukar could make for among the most enjoyable wing capturing round, and in lots of western states, the species could be plentiful on public lands and hunted with beneficiant bag limits over lengthy seasons.
In the event you’re contemplating searching chukar for the primary time, right here’s a bit about what it’s like and how one can get began.
Understanding Chukar: Habits, Identification, and Habitat Fundamentals
Chukar, like pheasants, are a nonnative species that has nonetheless turn into one of many extra in style wild recreation birds within the U.S. These birds, that are additionally known as chukar partridge, are native to the Center East and southern Asia, in keeping with the Audubon Area Information.
Chukar are smaller than pheasants however bigger than most quail species. They’ve distinctive black bars on their sides, in addition to a black strip that juts throughout their faces. Chukar legs are a pinkish purple. As with Hungarian partridge, chukar are inclined to stay in coveys aside from once they pair up within the spring to breed. The species makes a particular chuck-chuck-chuck name, which can be utilized to find them when searching.
Chukar are thought of to be desert-dwelling birds, and their habitat consists of rocky slopes, notably the place grasslands with nonnative cheatgrass is combined with sage brush. They’re typically present in steep canyons or valleys close to giant rivers the place they’ll entry water simply.
Why Chukar Searching Has a Popularity for Being Exhausting
First-time chukar hunters ought to know that chasing these birds requires exerting your self bodily at altitude. In keeping with the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, the species is usually discovered between 4,000 and 13,000 toes. Which means that oxygen could be scarce in chukar habitat, and this may be particularly arduous on hunters coming from sea degree. However don’t let it discourage you; it’s not a race, and you may go as sluggish or as quick as you want when searching chukar.
READ: Full Information to Chukar Searching
Past merely the exertion required for climbing at altitude, discovering birds could be difficult. Birds can require traversing steep hillsides, nevertheless it doesn’t must be achieved this manner. Chukar habitat all the time requires cowl of some form: sometimes some mixture of rocky outcroppings, large tufts of bunchgrass, combined sagebrush, bitterbrush, or shrubby crevices.
Easy Methods for Your First Chukar Hunt
There’s no set and stone technique for searching chukar, however one of many easiest is to traverse up a hillside with chukar habitat together with your canine. Typically you’ll solely discover them at sure elevations; different occasions, they’ll be dispersed throughout elevations. Pointing canines will certainly enable you to discover coveys, however typically the birds give themselves away by calling to one another. It’s additionally potential to identify birds hanging out on scree fields from a distance, and whereas the birds do run at first, they finally have a tendency to carry in cowl close to the rocky areas lengthy sufficient so that you can get into vary.
Chukar transfer round all through the searching season. The place you discover them at some point, you won’t the subsequent. Within the early season when it’s heat, birds will likely be close to some supply of water, whether or not it’s a spring, a reservoir, or a tiny creek. Because the moisture will increase all through the season and contemporary vegetation begins arising, coveys are inclined to broaden throughout the terrain.
READ: Avoiding Frequent Chukar Searching Errors
In stormy climate, they’re extra more likely to be on the leeward facet of ridges. When it’s heat, they’ll transfer from solar within the morning to shade within the afternoon. After snowfall, the south-facing slopes the place snow melts off first is the place you’re more than likely to come across chukar.
One factor to remember—and maybe one purpose chukar searching isn’t fairly as troublesome as some people make it appear to be—is that it’s potential to “recycle coveys,” or relocate birds from busted coveys. Birds typically simply fly one ridge away and also you see them land. They’ll more than likely keep there at the very least lengthy sufficient so that you can recover from there for an additional shot at them. Apply this method thoughtfully, although, as it may be arduous on the birds.
Gear for Chasing Chukar Ethically and Safely
Chukar searching is historically achieved over a pointing canine (although don’t let this cease you in case you have a retriever or are dogless) as a result of the species is usually unfold over giant distances and is understood to carry properly. Canine are particularly necessary for finding downed birds, which frequently fall into thickets of sage, bunchgrass, and bitterbrush. Searching chukar could be arduous on a canine, so just remember to are giving your ample water within the discipline and protein of their eating regimen for restoration. Additionally, control their foot pads, which might get minimize on sharp rocks.
Chukar hunters sometimes use folding shotguns. Weapons that may be carried damaged open present an additional layer of security when going over obstacles and throughout particularly steep terrain.
READ: Etiquette in Public Land Chukar Searching
Aside from your canine and your shotgun, the subsequent most necessary factor you want for chukar searching are good boots. They have to be stiff, match properly, and never transfer in any respect in your foot. Some people even use light-weight mountaineering boots which don’t flex within the sole. That is necessary for rocky hillsides, the place your boot ought to act like a shelf on your foot. Uninsulated boots are inclined to work properly as your toes will warmth up from prolonged exertion whatever the temperature exterior. Wool socks assist with cushioning and wicking moisture out of your toes.
The following piece of drugs to think about is an effective vest. It’s paramount to hold sufficient water for each you and your canine, in addition to security gear in case one in every of you will get injured within the discipline. Most chukar searching is finished out of cellular phone vary in distant areas, so bringing a satellite tv for pc communicator resembling a Garmin Inreach could be a good suggestion, notably should you prefer to hunt solo. Aside from that, you’ll need your GPS transmitter and collar, should you use one on your canine, snacks, and the rest you sometimes carry upland searching with you.
Why You Ought to Give Chukar Searching a Attempt
Chukar searching requires important bodily exertion, determining the place birds are relying on the time of 12 months and climate situations, and experimentation with technique. This will make it a problem, nevertheless it shouldn’t cease you from giving it a shot. Lengthy seasons and huge populations on public land truly make it one of many extra accessible and enjoyable upland species to hunt within the West.
The put up Chukar Searching Can Be Tough—However Rewarding appeared first on Venture Upland.
