Chukar Info

[JLDemo]

I'm planning my first dedicated chukar hunt outside of the home state. It'll be Oregon, Idaho, or N Nevada. Oregon and Idaho give some great cuts on veteran licenses, that's on my mind. I plan on going in November, so I'll more than likely just rent a place through air b n b or just hotel. Tent is an option, but I don't have anything with a stove or buddy heater, yet. Some places in ID and OR have plenty of options, and the places in NV have some, but limited. So far, It will be a solo trip with just me and my Griff. I’d appreciate any insight or advice on a few specific questions:

How do chukar react in areas recently impacted by wildfires? Bird populations shift dramatically? My plan A & B has been altered due to fire, I'm thinking everyone else's is too. I don't want to be congregated into pockets if I can avoid it. I've spoken to an few folks and pretty much decided I'm worried about things out of my control, and to just go. I'm honestly more concerned with hunter pressure this year is over bird density.

How far will they actually go during and after a burn if water is abundant? After listening to a few podcasts and reading a bit, seems like cheat grass isn't the big ticket item I assumed and focus on other habitat factors.

For a solo hunter, what’s your strategy when your dog points a covey? Do you try to side-hill, approach strictly from above? The terrain will dictate this issue, just want to get an idea of what worked for the masses. It's not that steep where I've found them here.

Are dog boots an absolute necessity, or can conditioning get by? I've never had an issue with pads on my dog, he runs roads and all different terrain here. But I'd hate to go all the way out and discover that those rocks tear him up. So I want to have boots broke in before I go if they're a must.

If boots are a must-have in basalt/lava rock, what brands/styles actually stay on a dog without causing rub sores?

Upland vests; I have terrible shoulders and sometimes have to take my vest off to put birds in the bag. Any vests the group can recommend where I can put birds in the pocket from the front or at least not required to come at-ease to find the damn pocket? Maximum amount of water storage too, and a place to hide a first aid kit.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Elktrack]

Idaho and Oregon chukars are vengeful little critters that force you to find them in steep places. Nevada has chukars in flatter and less physically demanding country. Going solo a guy might want to factor in the terrain.
Just something to consider

 

[brymoore]

Lots of questions.

Burns - don’t hunt burns and all your burn questions go away. I tend not to hunt burns the year of the fire. There’s plenty of other country to bird hunt.

Bird populations shift due more issues than burns. Levels peaked two years ago. There weren’t a lot of chicks last year due to weather issues. I haven’t heard reports about bird numbers this year. You should watch has reports go in September.

Points. I’m a perfect world, you pin the birds between you and the dog. Dog points above the birds and you come in below and flush. However, the world isn’t perfect. Dog might point below and you could be in a relocation match as the birds move uphill. Coming down behind your dog on a point where the dog is high can cause the birds to flush a distance from you after they ran for it. I had times the dog had pointed and I purposely didn’t shoot because of where the dead bird would land.

I don’t use dog boots. Toughen your dogs feet up if you can.

Upland Vest: my house has two Wing Works and one Final Rise. They both work. Plan to carry water for your dog, ammo and a few birds.

I’d recommend you just go and figure it out. No fires in Nevada….

 

[JLDemo]

Lots of questions.

Burns - don’t hunt burns and all your burn questions go away. I tend not to hunt burns the year of the fire. There’s plenty of other country to bird hunt.

Bird populations shift due more issues than burns. Levels peaked two years ago. There weren’t a lot of chicks last year due to weather issues. I haven’t heard reports about bird numbers this year. You should watch has reports go in September.

Points. I’m a perfect world, you pin the birds between you and the dog. Dog points above the birds and you come in below and flush. However, the world isn’t perfect. Dog might point below and you could be in a relocation match as the birds move uphill. Coming down behind your dog on a point where the dog is high can cause the birds to flush a distance from you after they ran for it. I had times the dog had pointed and I purposely didn’t shoot because of where the dead bird would land. View attachment 414987

I don’t use dog boots. Toughen your dogs feet up if you can.

Upland Vest: my house has two Wing Works and one Final Rise. They both work. Plan to carry water for your dog, ammo and a few birds.

I’d recommend you just go and figure it out. No fires in Nevada….View attachment 414988

Good looking pup!

Yes, lots of questions. I have a pile more too, but I'll save those and probably get my answers while I'm out with the dog.

Thanks for the words, figuring it out is part of the fun. I'll probably skip the boots. Never been a fan and hadn't had an issue so far. He's got pretty tight feet. Just a thought. I'll take a look at those vests.

Looking forward to getting out there!

 

[mtmuley]

@El Jason. Will probably prefer pms.
mtmuley

 

[Brittany Chukarman]

If you decide on Nevada get their guzzler map. You may need more days than you originally had planned for Nevada. If possible time your hunt after their is some moisture in the ground. Always hunt into the wind even if it means a long detour around where you want to hunt. And don't overthink it. Your reservoir boat option was solid.

 

[JLDemo]

If you decide on Nevada get their guzzler map. You may need more days than you originally had planned for Nevada. If possible time your hunt after their is some moisture in the ground. Always hunt into the wind even if it means a long detour around where you want to hunt. And don't overthink it. Your reservoir boat option was solid.

That plan is still #1. I'm overthinking a few things for sure. I've got it in head that people are going to pile in where I want to go due to fires. Too many years chasing elk on general tags here will do that lol. However, the fishing and fuel availability is hard to move past. I'm a sucker for quail, that's a huge motivator on where I'm planning.

 

[El Jason]

Be easiest for you to call.