Henry's last hurrah for the year

[El Jason]

Henry and I loaded up the Dodge for an overnight chukar hunt that will pretty much close out the season for us. I had planned to make a trip to a part of the state where I shot my very first chukar 20 years ago. It's one of those special and sentimental places, and I always enjoy going back there to hunt.

The morning started a little auspicously when I found a barfed up pair of undies in Henry's kennel. Then, he refused his breakfast which is about as common as the IRS telling you to take another month on your taxes, no worries. I was low on ammo, so I figured I could stop in Lewiston and find some. Wrong! I spent an hour in town and finally left with some cheap crap ammo. The store helper tried to sell me #8s until I politely told him hell no.

Finally, we're on the road again. We left the truck at 12:30 to a sunny afternoon of 48 degrees. I promptly realized I was overdressed, and I sweated my fanny off. Henry promptly busted a covey of chukars a 1/4 mile from the truck, then went on point again and busted those.

He went on point again, about 200 yards up the hill. He was able to hold this covey while I uffed and puffed my way up to him. I pinched the birds and quickly realized I was WAAY too close in to them. I emptied my gun and poked a lot of holes in the sky.

So went the day, I really struggled to find my lead with the ammo and missed about 10 shots in a row before connecting on my last four.

 

[El Jason]

I was able to split some of the covies and get into the singles and doubles. Henry went on point, and I moved in ahead. Nothing. He is still on point, and I keep kicking around. Nothing. I get out my camera and take a picture of the little man on point, then tell him to quit showing off. He ignores me, repositions on point, and then I finally see the two chukars he is pointing and promptly miss them when they flush.

 

[El Jason]

All told I think we got into eight covies of birds this year, far and away the most I've found this year. I am still learning how to position myself to get the best shots, and didn't do a very good job this trip. We got a nice view of Hells Canyon, and started back down the hill for the evening.

 

[El Jason]

It was chilly, so Henry and I enjoyed a campfire. Since he's not old enough, I drank all of the beer.

 

[El Jason]

So remember the undies and no breakfast? That evening Henry was dragging. He didn't eat that night, except for some grass he barfed back up. He didn't eat the next morning either, and I wasn't holding out too much hope for much of a hunt as we started up a ridge that I had not hunted before.

We had a nice view of the Seven Devils, but they didn't show up in the photo.

 

[El Jason]

We only found two covies of birds today. Henry had an all star locate and point on the first one, but I approached from above and did a very poor job of setting myself up for any sort of a shot. The hillside we were no was insanely steep, and had I sailed a cripple he would have likely made it a half mile before hitting the dirt.

After two hours, Henry (still hasn't eaten) hit the wall big time, so I headed for the truck.

 

[El Jason]

We loaded our stuff and I thought we would make a quick look for a dumb covey of quail. Henry was still fasting, so into the kennel he went. As we were almost to the county road, I saw a pair of mallards on a side channel of the river. Never one to miss a training opportunity, I pulled over and snapped Henry on his leash.

I rummaged around in my truck until I found two rounds of steel BBs and the sneak was on. I jumped the pair and dropped the drake into the middle of the channel. Henry had not done a water retrieve at this point. He was running up and down the bank whining, so I started wading out towards the duck. The light bulb went on and Henry jumped in with me and grabbed the mallard, making a nice retrieve to shore.

As his prize, he got to ride home in the front with the heater on.

I really apologize for the picture quality. I am using a different camera and I obviously have not figured out some settings. I was really disappointed to see how poorly they turned out.

I hope you enjoy the photos. As much fun as I have had hunting pheasants, there is just something about hunting chukars in this part of the world that puts it on a whole different level.

 

[dustinf]

Awesome report.

My self-esteem is as low as anyones, but wing shooting is tough and the photos are awesome. Cut yourself a break and enjoy your success.

 

[pointingdogsrule]

Very nice.

good luck to all
the dog

 

[mtmiller]

Henry had not done a water retrieve at this point. He was running up and down the bank whining, so I started wading out towards the duck. The light bulb went on and Henry jumped in with me and grabbed the mallard, making a nice retrieve to shore.

As his prize, he got to ride home in the front with the heater on.

Awsome hunt. Had a visual of the water retrieve from my monitor. Thanks for the pictures.

 

[El Jason]

To alleviate any more ammo hassles, I just ordered a case of Federal from Roger's Sporting Goods. I can't believe what a pain in the arse it is anymore to find good quality pheasant loads.

 

[idahofishnhunt]

Great pictures, thanks for sharing...some steep stuff!

 

[ShootsManyBullets]

Great pics and story.

 

[fishing4sanity]

I enjoyed your story and pics. Is Henry done with the undies and back to eating?

 

[El Jason]

I enjoyed your story and pics. Is Henry done with the undies and back to eating?

He is back to eating and feeling much better. He was pretty darned hungry yesterday morning.

 

[What Map]

JLS, nice thread. Thanks for posting. Glad to hear Henry is back eating. I would like to do more chukar hunting. But it is certainly some of the most physically demanding bird hunting around. I hunt them in WY one or two times each year. Hell's canyon looks steeper than where I hunt.

 

[1_pointer]

Thanks for the story and pics! Chukar hunting is hard work and good times. Well done!

 

[Festus]

Thanks for sharing.
Enjoyed story and pictures.
Wish I was there...

 

[WV Hunter]

Me and Buster hate you and Henry.

 

[El Jason]

WV,

Lol, you guys should come visit. Henry like friends.


Thanks for the kind words all. It has been fun sharing Henry's first year in the field.

You'll notice that Henry has a Garmin GPS collar. I contemplated long and hard on this. I am a cheap bastard, but I like good gear. Not always an easy conflict to settle here.

I debated about going the beeper collar route, but in the end decide to spring the extra few hundred bucks and get the Astro. I absolutely love it! I have always found beepers kind of obnoxious, and enjoy my silence when I'm hunting. However, it is pretty common that I lose sight of Henry and would have no idea where he is without the GPS.

Several times this year I got an alert telling me he was on point, and had to use the GPS to find him. There he would be, locked up on point holding the birds. If you can afford it, buy one. I really don't think you'll regret it.