Sweeping downhill shots at Chukar

[Billinsd]

I went out to shoot some clays today on some blm land and got up on a steep hill and we took turns throwing clays left and right downhill to simulate flushing a chukar downhill.

These are TOUGH shots for me. What was hard was trying to lead the clay as it fell hard to the left or the right. How do you guys do it? Use a sustained lead below the clay or follow through from the top of the clay downward?

Thanks
Bill

[DGFavor]

We really didn't start improving our odds on chuks until we practiced shooting while balancing on two bowling balls on a 30 degree slope in our house slippers immediately after doing a 1/4 mile uphill windsprint and having a buddy simultaneously spritz water in our eyes to simulate sweat. If you want to entirely replicate the real deal, have the clay thrown behind you right before you actually call for it so it startles you and you have to turn around on said apparatus. It was just too easy otherwise. Good luck...post some video.

[fishvik]

We really didn't start improving our odds on chuks until we practiced shooting while balancing on two bowling balls on a 30 degree slope in our house slippers immediately after doing a 1/4 mile uphill windsprint and having a buddy simultaneously spritz water in our eyes to simulate sweat. If you want to entirely replicate the real deal, have the clay thrown behind you right before you actually call for it so it startles you and you have to turn around on said apparatus. It was just too easy otherwise. Good luck...post some video.

That's the best training program for chukar shooting I've ever heard of. I wonder why none of the sporting clay courses here in SE Idaho don't have a station like that?

[Scott Linden]

We really didn't start improving our odds on chuks until we practiced shooting while balancing on two bowling balls on a 30 degree slope in our house slippers immediately after doing a 1/4 mile uphill windsprint and having a buddy simultaneously spritz water in our eyes to simulate sweat. If you want to entirely replicate the real deal, have the clay thrown behind you right before you actually call for it so it startles you and you have to turn around on said apparatus. It was just too easy otherwise. Good luck...post some video.

That's the best training program for chukar shooting I've ever heard of. I wonder why none of the sporting clay courses here in SE Idaho don't have a station like that?

Advanced version: hold your shot until your slipper-clad feet are coming off the bowling balls and you are halfway into a bone-crunching fall. Don't forget to bring your most expensive shotgun.

[northern cajun]

We really didn't start improving our odds on chuks until we practiced shooting while balancing on two bowling balls on a 30 degree slope in our house slippers immediately after doing a 1/4 mile uphill windsprint and having a buddy simultaneously spritz water in our eyes to simulate sweat. If you want to entirely replicate the real deal, have the clay thrown behind you right before you actually call for it so it startles you and you have to turn around on said apparatus. It was just too easy otherwise. Good luck...post some video.

That's the best training program for chukar shooting I've ever heard of. I wonder why none of the sporting clay courses here in SE Idaho don't have a station like that?

Advanced version: hold your shot until your slipper-clad feet are coming off the bowling balls and you are halfway into a bone-crunching fall. Don't forget to bring your most expensive shotgun.

There are some large fans to simulate the winds right?

[fishvik]

Don't forget to bring your most expensive shotgun.

"Beaters" are definitely the gun of choice for chukars. Chukar hunting is definitly the X games of upland bird hunting. Only Himilayan Snowcock in Nev. may be tougher and I think they are easier to hit.

As I've often said before( probably in this forum) the ideal outfit for chukars is a semi auto with a drum clip, a GSP/Mountain goat cross and a chairlift. You hunt them for fun the first time and revenge from then on.

[laxhcky4]

Sure sounds like fun! Might have to head out there one year and give it a try. This coming from a flatlander... I guess I like challenges!

[proudag08]

You hunt them for fun the first time and revenge from then on.

[kbshorthairs]

That is just God's way of getting even with you guys out there on the prairie. You can't have miles and miles of prime picturesque country to hunt and then complain about how rough you have it. I am jealous of Doc Favor's pics all the time.....and then I watch his old video where he is huffin and puffin on the way to a dog that is pointed waaaaaaay out there.....I always giggle!
I bet he is on that horse most of the time!!!

[2dogs]

When I first started chukar hunting I was told the first thing you do is take your favorite gun your going to hunt with and just throw it down in the rocks very first thing so when you fall while chasing them birds(and you will) the scratches won't bother you any more

[fishvik]

When I first started chukar hunting I was told the first thing you do is take your favorite gun your going to hunt with and just throw it down in the rocks very first thing so when you fall while chasing them birds(and you will) the scratches won't bother you any more

2 dogs, I was hunting the wiley bird just outside of Boise(the area is now a housing development) and I took a spill and broke the forestock of my shotgun off. I went home and glued it all back together and that became my chukar gun.

[2dogs]

Ha, got ya beat, I'm on my 3rd set of stocks for my gun! I have amazing balance

[DGFavor]

I watch his old video where he is huffin and puffin on the way to a dog that is pointed waaaaaaay out there

Cripes, and that was just on the flats!!

I bet he is on that horse most of the time!!!

Even that scares the crap out of me!!

[fishvik]

DG, Those photos remind me of helping range cons do upland surveys in Nevada, only in reverse. I had an agreement with my horse that if got my fat butt up the hill, I'd walk down and save both of our knees.

[orbirdhunter]

The sweeping downhill shot is very tough to mimic....especially when you factor in just how stinking fast the little buggers are when they cup there wings and drop altitude...

My buddies and i have found that one of two things seem to happen most often in our minds....one we rush the shot and shot over the bird, two we don't give it enough lead and shoot behind the bird. They are moving fast and its usually not a very close shot....make sure you have plenty of lead.

[Scott Linden]

And one more ...

Once you've chased them up the hill a few times and they fly downhill before you get a shot, they'll decide they've had enough fun: on their last downhill flight they will increase their aerodynamic capability (follow along at home). As we all know, they only have five tail feathers, which look much like a human hand (extend your open hand, palm facing you, thumb and fingers splayed). Once airborne and at maximum airspeed, to minimize drag they will fold in the two left, and two right tailfeathers (for maximum effect, do that with your thumb and appropriate fingers). You will get the message chukars have been sending to predators for millennia.

See you at the top!

[2dogs]

Ha Ha Ha, You nailed it Scott!

[DGFavor]

Once you've chased them up the hill a few times and they fly downhill before you get a shot, they'll decide they've had enough fun: on their last downhill flight they will increase their aerodynamic capability (follow along at home). As we all know, they only have five tail feathers, which look much like a human hand (extend your open hand, palm facing you, thumb and fingers splayed). Once airborne and at maximum airspeed, to minimize drag they will fold in the two left, and two right tailfeathers (for maximum effect, do that with your thumb and appropriate fingers). You will get the message chukars have been sending to predators for millennia.

Oh, yah, I can see that...of course you know what their call sounds like in flight as well..."efffyou!! efffyou!! effyou!!"

Who's laffin' now you little gray bastiges!!:


*sorry havin' some chukar huntin' flashbacks

[Crashola]

I subscribe to my dad's "massive lead theory." It involves an autoloader with the plug removed. And if you put enough lead into the air, something is bound to fly into it!

After your first year or so of hunting chukar, your lifelong quest is to find and catalog honeyholes where the birds are plentiful and the walking isn't straight up an down. And then take those secret locations with you to your grave.

[gsp3333]

What's all this talk of chasing up and down hills for? We've got them running in the washes around here.

[QuillGordon]

Sweeping left = Dead chicken
Sweeping right = Chicken for another day

[Billinsd]

Have you guys heard of Bob Farris in Idaho? He breeds Pudelpointers and he wrote and article about chukar hunting. He said what he will do is hunt the chukar from above them, moving downhill to them. When the dog points, he will make a big circle around the chukar and walk up on them from below. The dog has to be steady and the birds can't run. When he gets close to the chukar they will fly uphill and he has a much better shot.

Any of you guys ever do this? Thanks
Bill

[isonychia]

You can shoot clays on BLM lands? oh heck yeah... god I love it out here, can you train with pigeons as well? haha

[DGFavor]

Hunt 'em from above - check:


Move downhill from 'em and flush up from below - check:


Steady dog - check:


Birds will fly uphill for a good shot - check:


Doin' it all wrong! Freakin' rookie!:


Did Bob happen to mention what to do if they point 'em on the flats?? :

[kbshorthairs]

I'm green with envy.

[proudag08]

I'm green with envy.

" " ditto!

[Billinsd]

Move downhill from 'em and flush up from below - check:

Pointing horses are not fair!!!

Did Bob happen to mention what to do if they point 'em on the flats?? :

Chukar are NEVER on the flats, that looks photo shopped to me!!!
Thanks
Bill

[Chukar12]

Hey wait...is that picture with the horse Ed Mayhew?