13 replies to this topic

[turkeyman85]

Okay I need some tips on hunting chukar in the late season.I recently bought a chukar call,and was wondering if it would work.I know quail will stop calling for various reasons.Do chukar do the same thing? And also should I hunt the lower elevations even if there is no snow,the western mojave so snow isnt present at this time. And I looked up what cheatgrass looks like but I really dont see it in my area,unless Im over looking it. I have hunted them before but never to serious. Ive even shot them before but they didnt die and I hit them hard since feathers covered the ground where he hit. thanks in advance for any help.

[lif2fsh]

Chucker call don't waste your time. Chucker if not pressured will be at all evaluations if they been getting hammered look for them near the top, but almost always on the Sunny side of hills. and remember the first ones for fun after that its revenge!

[Bisley]

Chucker call don't waste your time.

Apparently the chukar I hunt didn't get that memo . They drive me nuts calling all year long, even on our "quail hunt" trips. Calls work great, if you use them for what they were intended for. They don't necessarily bring the birds to you, but they do work terrific for finding out where they are at (ie by the water, partly up the hill, feeding between the water and the hill).

Chucker if not pressured will be at all evaluations if they been getting hammered look for them near the top, but almost always on the Sunny side of hills.

Yes and no. All birds tend to fly uphill when flushed near hills. But even if hunted every day, they (like any other animal) still have to come down the hills to feed and water. Then, they head back up the hills much quicker, when hunted frequently. This is again where I always say that knowing where they roost, water, and feed will make your life sooooo much easier. And if it is late morning or early afternoon, and you are not sure if they are watering, feeding, or up the hill, just call a couple times. There is usually one or two that will answer back. That's all you need. Now you know where they are. And while I have never noticed them to have a preference for sunny sides of hills or shaded ones, I will say that in all the years of hunting birds, we have learned that you do not want to be out at sunrise this time of year. Birds are not unlike us, they don't like super cold temps either. We don't usually see them out and moving until at least an hour or so until after the sun has come up and things are a bit warmer. We now sleep in an extra hour or so and catch up to the guys who have been out since sunrise and haven't seen a thing. One of the joys and benefits of years of learning .Good luck, and let us know how it turns out.

[turkeyman85]

Ya I figured that you dont have to be out at day break. Quail are the same way as the season gets colder. Thanks guys for your input. I might have to put off my chukar hunt since i drew that goose hunt on Twichell Island. Hope that produces for us.

[True2ThySelf]

Being out there before sunrise may not be necessary for you guys! I'm new to this game so I end up hiking all over the place and usually over 6 miles before the day is though....and not often with game in the bag . Another 10 years under my belt and maybe I can sleep in the extra hour .

[lif2fsh]

Chucker call REALLY.sorry but thats funny. kind a like hunting them without a dog.

[Bisley]

Chucker call REALLY.sorry but thats funny. kind a like hunting them without a dog.

Yeah, because that's IMPOSSIBLE, right? Just do me a favor please, don't tell the 14 year old that. Especially since this was his first upland bird ever this year! Dogs are great, but they are merely a tool, not a necessity, IF you know what you're doing . Not everyone that hunts wants to be burdened by a dog also. Learn their habits, kill the birds! And just so you know, that rope around my neck is my chukar call By the way, I haven't lost a chukar in 20 years. But then again, I use the right loads, the right gun, and am willing to spend more than 5 minutes to look for a downed bird. I don't limit, but I do find all the chukar I put down, and I almost always come back with some birds, even with no dog. But I was taught the old way also (thank God).

[turkeyman85]

Some of us watch to much tv . I feel the same way with turkeys in the fall.Everyone loves to think you cant call them in but I've done it on lots of outings and get the job done. Now everyone has there own way of hunting and everyone learns from someone and takes bits and peices of technics or strategies.Bisley I cant thank you enough for them tips and locations you've pass down to me and if your ever intrested in turkey hunting I can help you out and try to put you on birds.

[Bisley]

No worries. Even if you don't make it there this year, they are there every year . Besides, there's definitely a lot more meat to be had hunting geese. Can't pass up that opportunity. Good luck.

[Frank]

Dogs are great, but they are merely a tool, not a necessity, IF you know what you're doing . Not everyone that hunts wants to be burdened by a dog also. Learn their habits, kill the birds!

EXACTLY, Bob, exactly... & birds ANSWER calls, giving their positions away.Some folks can't stand hunting quail or chukar etc without a dog, which is fine, but just don't try & "sell" everyone else that. Almost like a gun or car salesman trying to make us believe that what they like or have in stock is what you need. Almost! hmmmm... did you also know that a 270 can't kill pig or deer? I heard or read that somewhere & thought I would share.

[Bisley]

Yep Frank, I say it with a little experience. Since my buddy and I are 2 hours apart and I live right next to his parents (who keep the dog) I usually end up bringing him. And I do love hunting with him (the dog), but to be honest, there are many times where we finish hunting just before dark and would I consider calling for coyotes or chasing a few cottontails for dinner, but can't because we have a dog. I love them both to death, and would never not do it, but there certainly are times where life would be much simpler without. A small price to pay for a lifetime of friendship though

hmmmm... did you also know that a 270 can't kill pig or deer? I heard or read that somewhere & thought I would share.

I thought you already knew that. It's on the internet, so it must be true Please do me a favor though, don't tell my three cousins (11-18) that have been taking elk every year in Meeker with a .270, I wouldn't want to hurt their feelings If I can find it again, there is a great (but very long) write up by a man who owns a ranch that hunts pigs in Texas. He proceeds to explain the difference about premium bullets that expand and and usually pass through, and standard bullets that can come apart but still kill as effectively (especially in situations where there are structures or livestock nearby). But in his testing, he takes the hide off a freshly skinned 200lb pig, sets it across a sheet of plywood, and proceeds to shoot through the shoulder armor with a .22lr. Don't get me wrong, he is not promoting hunting with a rimfire, he is just merely trying to show that neither pigs (nor their thickest shoulder armor) are bullet-proof, and you don't need a .338 to kill pigs, and even .22lr's are deadly to animals and humans alike. I personally think it should be a mandatory watching in the hunter safety course. If for nothing else just to show all new folks that even rimfires aren't toys. , I'll get off my soap box too. Merry Christmas to all, and Happy hunting in the new year.

[Frank]

As far as hunting early or later in the morning goes, I too am normally a later type of hunter in cold(er) temps. NORMALLY (but not always)For example, about 4 weeks ago in the beginnnig of Dec, 6 of us went quail hunting. When we got to our location it was 26 degrees outside. Being (almost) forced to head out with the group at first light, 2 of us did what the others did not, and has worked many times over the years. And that is...Hunting the sunny slopes first whenever in that scenerio. The draws & ravines are like ice boxes in the early morning shade, better suited for penguins than humans or quail, which is where the rest of our group hunted.Anyway, my friend and I almost immediately bumped a large (80?) covey of quail on a sunny hillside. The rest of the gang did better than us, but not until about 2 hrs later.OH, & btw, over the years I have learned, to my surprise, that quail are usually up and about at first light, even in freezing temps. Not rain or snow, but cold temps. So one CAN do well in other words, first thing in the morning. But again, I personally like it a little later... when given a choice. LOL damn sons can be bossy. had to have gotten it from their mother. j.k.

[tawnoper]

By the way, I haven't lost a chukar in 20 years. But then again, I use the right loads, the right gun, and am willing to spend more than 5 minutes to look for a downed bird.

That is something! You must have the nose of a bloodhound. Unfortunately, through the years I've lost a few. Same as quail. IMO that is where a dog is invaluable...finding birds that that are dead, but don't know it.

[Bisley]

No bloodhound nose, but any time I'm in area known to have chukar, it's always a full choke and fast #6's. I am by no means afraid to say I miss a L O T of birds (quail and chukar) using that set-up, but it is also why I have never lost one. And again, it's not like I take near limits every other weekend either. Many are by opportunity, and when I do hunt just chukar, I will usually chase them for a few hours, take some, then head back down the hill for quail. I learned a long time ago that the season is too long to kill myself in one day chasing those little devils. I find it harder to find quail by far after being hit. For starters, they are by far smaller and harder to see in the bushes. And secondly, since chukar are bigger, and much tougher, they don't tend to do the "fake fold" when only winged like quail, only to run after hitting the ground. And it kills the guys I hunt with, but I have been known to spend over an hour looking for one bird. Guess that comes from caring more about taking them, rather than how many I take. I would surely have to say though that if one felt a dog "necessary", it would definitely be more for quail than chukar. And after walking the rocky areas where most chukar tend to be, the dog would probably have to agree also. But to each their own. Good luck to all, there's still a month left