4 replies to this topic

[True2ThySelf]

My brother and I got there a little later Sunday morning (about 7am) but headed out and saw a hawk looking for breakfastLike Saturdays hunt we started on hilly, mountainous terrainWhile we were hunting we spotted some windmillsI was tempted to go to the mountains off in the distance but neither my brother nor I though we could hike the distance let alone climb it.We settled to hunting along these ridges and valleysMy brother shot this close enough for me to watch it roll one or two times but amazingly enough there wasn't much damage to the meat.We get to a point and a covey of quail explodes about 10 yards in front of us. One of my three shots resulted in a puff of feathers.By the afternoon we were dead tired and while I really wanted to explore these areas, my brother said I was crazy. We hadn't heard any Quail or Chukar calling at all and we still had miles of torturous terrain to get back to the car so we didn't become explorersWe came across what I believe is a guzzler but it looked dry.We happened into a valley loaded with quail and when they exploded we were stunned and confused about which way to turn to shoot or even go to chase them! After the inital shock, we followed the group that stayed on flat terrain since we didn't have the energy to climb anything. My brother was able to down a quail which I took a picture with since I haven't posted a picture of myself or the gun I use .We didn't have a topo map of the area and while we knew the direction of the car (thanks to the GPS and a familiar mountain top) we didn't know how to get there. Remember when I said we were dead tired and didn't want to climb anything? Well we didn't have a choice since the valley we were following back to the car had a perilous climb to the top. We started our way back to the car from the area circled in red.Does anyone know what bird these droppings are from?After a couple of leg burning, mommy calling miles of evil moutainous terrain we could see the car...can you? Yes, it's circled in red.Maybe if I use my camera to zoom in 24X

[Bisley]

OK, I'm officially spoiled, my legs hurt just LOOKING at that You have one REALLY NICE camera, and a knack for breath taking pictures. Those (rock) outcroppings should hold a lot of birds there for you. And that is indeed a guzzler, always a great sign. Just be sure to follow the rules of hunting near them, as I'm sure you do And just because it's dry at that point in time doesn't mean there's no water in it early morning. The night dew collects in the concrete parts at night and drains the water (what little is collected) down into the protected area for the birds to drink early in the morning. Now you know where the water is, so you know what direction they are headed to at sunrise and sunset. Good going I just noticed there's no sling on your shotgun . You hike all them hills holding it without a sling?!?! OK, now my arms hurt as much as my legs. If you don't have one, you may want to check a shotgun specific sling. They can be worth their weight in gold at the end of the day. Quake makes one called The Claw (my preference), and it holds real well without slipping. But make sure you get the shotgun sling, not the rifle sling, as they attach differently.I meant to ask you Saturday also, you are using 6's for the chukar, right? Unless they are on top of your feet, 7-1/2's will only make them laugh harder as they fly away, birds. And I also noticed some places a little closer for you (less $ on gas and less travel time) to practice at in the off season as we were headed out Saturday morning, I'll PM you later with some directions. And thanks again for the beautiful pics and great story. And congratulations on finding the guzzler. You're getting all your ducks lined up in a row for next year for sure.

[True2ThySelf]

OK, I'm officially spoiled, my legs hurt just LOOKING at that

You and me both.

Those (rock) outcroppings should hold a lot of birds there for you.

I'll have to find a shorter way to get there and scout that area in a few months when they're calling again. I've noticed on my past few hunting trips that the birds don't call as much as earlier on in the season.

And that is indeed a guzzler, always a great sign. Just be sure to follow the rules of hunting near them, as I'm sure you do And just because it's dry at that point in time doesn't mean there's no water in it early morning. The night dew collects in the concrete parts at night and drains the water (what little is collected) down into the protected area for the birds to drink early in the morning. Now you know where the water is, so you know what direction they are headed to at sunrise and sunset. Good going

I'm not sure what the laws are regarding guzzlers...Is it the no hanging around within 200 yards around any water source for more than 30 minutes? If it is, I'm fine because I never see animals around there anyway (maybe I always find these things around mid-day) and I'm too impatient to sit in any one place for more than 5 minutes at a time.

I just noticed there's no sling on your shotgun . You hike all them hills holding it without a sling?!?! OK, now my arms hurt as much as my legs. If you don't have one, you may want to check a shotgun specific sling. They can be worth their weight in gold at the end of the day. Quake makes one called The Claw (my preference), and it holds real well without slipping. But make sure you get the shotgun sling, not the rifle sling, as they attach differently.

It was my dad's gun and he didn't want to drill a hole for a sling. My brother is the caretaker of the gun now and wants to keep the gun the same way. So yes, we carry the guns all day. I'll have to find a sling that requires no modification to the stock.

I meant to ask you Saturday also, you are using 6's for the chukar, right? Unless they are on top of your feet, 7-1/2's will only make them laugh harder as they fly away, birds.

... ... ... . But 7-1/2's are like $24 for 100 shells. Actually I tried 3 rounds of 5's but I'm assuming I missed since they all . I'll pick up a box of 6's for next season and give it a try.

And I also noticed some places a little closer for you (less $ on gas and less travel time) to practice at in the off season as we were headed out Saturday morning, I'll PM you later with some directions.

A saved is a earned and since I'm the only one working while my wife is going to school, I need all the I can save.

And thanks again for the beautiful pics and great story.

Thank you for visiting and all the help you've provided. A story is only good if you have someone to share it with.

[Bisley]

I'm not sure what the laws are regarding guzzlers...Is it the no hanging around within 200 yards around any water source for more than 30 minutes? If it is, I'm fine because I never see animals around there anyway (maybe I always find these things around mid-day) and I'm too impatient to sit in any one place for more than 5 minutes at a time.

That's it. Just don't plant your dove chair there for the day and you're good.As for not hurting/modifying the gun with a sling, that is exactly why I mention to make sure it is for a shotgun http://www.quakeinc....otgunsling.html . The shotgun slings have loops on both ends (as opposed to swivels) so you can loop one end around the stock and the other around the magazine tube in front of the slide. No alterations to the gun at all! Just like thisAnd if you have an auto with a vent rib, you can use a $7 roll of double sided velcro (Harbor Freight or Joann's). Just cut off a 4-6 inch strip and loop the velcro through the rib and around the sling loop. It is solid as a rock and will not slip. And best of all, no unsightly loop as you look down the barrel You can also use the rest of the seven foot roll to make fishing pole ties. I cut them into one foot strips and wrap three poles or so together. Makes them a lot easier to carry on the boat.

... ... ... . But 7-1/2's are like $24 for 100 shells. Actually I tried 3 rounds of 5's but I'm assuming I missed since they all . I'll pick up a box of 6's for next season and give it a try.

The 6's are the same price or cheaper, when you reload your own I have played with 4's and 5's over the years, but truth be told, a decent load of 6's gives you much more pellets and is very suffice at knocking them down. You don't need 3" mags to do it with either, just a good 1-1/8 or 1-1/4oz field load. I actually switched to 7's (not 7-1/2's) mid-season this year for the spots where quail and chukar overlap. 7's seem a bit small for medium-long range chukar, but I am pushing them (lead) even faster than steel shot at 1530fps & 1585fps in 1-1/8oz loads (Frank will be proud ) with good results, but I will try it one more season before I recommend it to anyone though. Those loads added to a full choke really make it reach out and touch. If you ever get the chance to hook up and shoot one day you will have to try them. It makes for easy shooting (even at a distance) with very little need for "leading" the shots

[64ssking]

hey true2thyself you get out a lot ,i know the season is over but if you want to scout/jackrabbit hunt let me know im in mission hills and dont always have partner that is willing to go