Chukar Country?

[reba]

What type of terrain do you hunt chukar?

Such as canyons along rivers, off the canyons, big stuff (rock out croppings), open flats off the big stuff.

And how close to a water source?

How far off the roost and/or water do you find birds?

I enjoy finding them where no one else bothers to look and often run into Huns and quail.

[AG74]

I'm a bit of a novice at chukar hunting with only one season under my belt, but in the rolling country of eastern Oregon, I've found them in canyons and side canyons mostly, although I've found some down near farmland also, as long as there are canyons and big country nearby. I think the biggest factors are food, cover and water, probably in that order. Early in the season when its still dry, they will be found near water, since they need to water 1-2 times per day. Cheat grass is their staple food, I guess. When the cheatgrass starts to green up again after some fall rains, they need less water and will be found where green cheat grass is growing. And, like most upland birds, they will bunch up once the first snows hit. Out here in certain areas, I've found chukar, pheasant, huns and valley quail all in a pretty close area. Never killed all four in one day, but workin on it!

Reba, where are you posting from and where do you like to find chukar?

[reba]

I'll hunt chukar in eastern Oregon, Idaho and maybe Nevada.

I'll be out mid-Oct and stay out until just before Christmas.

I like drainages off the main canyons; however I may do the big stuff once a week.

I have scored chukar, huns and quail on the same walk and could have shot at ducks!

Usually when I talk chukar most people run and hide.

[Willie Hunter]

Usually when I talk chukar most people run and hide.

I have dogs on the ground hunting chukar over 50 days a year.

[cjuve]

It is all flat with no rocks so that you can hunt it all off a quad.

[Garrison]

I have been working on a pointer mountain goat breeding for this very thing.

[reba]

Willie Hunter,

Let's go!

Reba

[isonychia]

I have been working on a pointer mountain goat breeding for this very thing.

[Willie Hunter]

Willie Hunter,

Let's go!

Reba

Send me a PM maybe we can put a hunt together.

[reba]

Willie,

PM sent

[Shrthrcrzy74]

Im going stir crazy waiting for colder weather and chukar season to get here!

[Crashola]

Just to add to the above. Later in the season when the snow is on the ground, look for melted bare spots on south-facing slopes. The cheat grass will sprout up and those spots become magnets for chukar.

And the best advice is to get out and find your own spots. And if you find one that has lots of birds and relatively easy walking, keep that spot secret and take its location to your grave with you!!

[Gertie]

I have been working on a pointer mountain goat breeding for this very thing.

First time you hunt chukar is for fun, the rest are for revenge

[2dogs]

Crashola, that's a fine looking dog in your avitar. Where did you get it?

[lucky guy]

Usually when I talk chukar most people run and hide.

I have dogs on the ground hunting chukar over 50 days a year.

Now we're talking, and you run setters too! Can't be all bad!

Rimrock, cheat grass and a water source - that's all you need. Head for the top and work your way down til you find them. I'm finding them on top this year already but we've had a fair amount of rain the last week or two so lots of green shoots are popping up.

Here's my favorite area, always produces birds for us. If you look hard that's my setter Ben doing his thing.

[basic instinct]

Usually when I talk chukar most people run and hide.

I have dogs on the ground hunting chukar over 50 days a year.

Now we're talking, and you run setters too! Can't be all bad!

Rimrock, cheat grass and a water source - that's all you need. Head for the top and work your way down til you find them. I'm finding them on top this year already but we've had a fair amount of rain the last week or two so lots of green shoots are popping up.

Here's my favorite area, always produces birds for us. If you look hard that's my setter Ben doing his thing.

Like said above Rimrocks, Cheat grass and water!!! Found about 80-100 birds Sat Some smaller young birds in there, Really small for this time of yr I thought

[lucky guy]

Second hatch maybe?

Here are a few more that show ground cover and terrain I like. Anytime you can find cheatgrass on a bench along a steep slope like the third and last pics it's gold. You asked about roads, once you're on the gravel roads it doesn't seem to me like it makes much difference how far off the road if you're in a good area.

[DonF]

WOW Glenn. Great photo's. Wish I could still get into that country. Gonna go check out that place on the John Day next week. I'll tget back to ya.

[Troy08er]

Second hatch maybe?

Here are a few more that show ground cover and terrain I like. Anytime you can find cheatgrass on a bench along a steep slope like the third and last pics it's gold. You asked about roads, once you're on the gravel roads it doesn't seem to me like it makes much difference how far off the road if you're in a good area.

Great pics.