Ptarmigans in Colorado

[timf]

Success!View attachment 417369

I have a few questions if it's OK...
What elevation did you get this bird? How far was it from water, and what type of water, or were there any other significant landscape features that seemed significant about where you found it?

I notice you're wearing a Final Rise upland vest. I'm considering getting one of those or one by Orvis, so I'd be curious to hear your thoughts about it?

If you've eaten that bird, how did it taste or compare to other upland birds?

 

[Birdbander]

@timf
Elevation was roughly 12,300'
No nearby standing or running water
The terrain was approximately beachball size rocks with short vegetation intermixed

The Final Rise is the best vest I've worn, no complaints

I'm planning to have at least one, perhaps both mounted. The determination of the tge taxidermist if they're good candidates. Won't be eaten until that is decided.

 

[timf]

@timf
Elevation was roughly 12,300'
No nearby standing or running water
The terrain was approximately beachball size rocks with short vegetation intermixed

The Final Rise is the best vest I've worn, no complaints

I'm planning to have at least one, perhaps both mounted. The determination of the tge taxidermist if they're good candidates. Won't be eaten until that is decided.

I got 2 this morning- success as well!! At last! I was, still am so excited!

I really appreciate the feedback. And you know, if you didn't answer the first questions about elevation and so forth so quickly, after hunting these birds today it may not have mattered, but the match to my experience is good.

This is my first successful bird hunt since moving to Colorado!! So nice too that my dog is finally getting to go after birds after hunts with nothing this season and last. As we went up this slope he started getting birdy and was moving fast and flushed a covey out of range, he was so excited he was chasing after them like crazy and hunted a ways from me, then flushed another couple but they were all too far for a good shot. It was only when I slowed things down and had him hunt closer to me and was more methodical about finding them that we got these birds. So much fun.

I think I feel pretty good about where and how to find them from what you just shared, all the other posts on this thread, and today's hunt. The birds I got today were at ~12.8K' and everything else was the same as what you mentioned, maybe with some large talus block sections intermixed in the grassy areas, but right no obvious water nearby either where we were.

That's good to hear about the Final Rise vest. I think I'll be getting one myself.

And taxidermy or mounted birds - That would be something to see! I've only seen pictures on the web and imagine it's a bit of a process, not to mention cost, but certainly would be nice to have with a good bird. My first one was bigger, pretty sure a male, than the 2nd one and I've already got my 2 birds processed and ready to cook/freeze so I hadn't thought about that route before but it's tempting. Would be great to see a photo of the final result if you decide to do this.