Question for the chukar hunters (pointers)

[AG74]

So, my GWP is 15 months old and I've had him out a good bit this season. Got really good at pointing Huns. First time I hunted some good chukar ground, great results, but I'm sure those birds hadn't been hunted yet this year. We ended up with 7 chukar and 2 roosters, good points on all the birds, plus some more I missed! 2 weeks later went back and the birds were quite a bit more educated. More skittish, flushed wild, even if the dog held a good point.

So, even on Huns that have been hunted and pressured a lot, we get more productive points. Seems like the dog gets on chukar and lots of times they'll flush before I can get there. I think his range is okay, so I hate to reel him in, but I can't always keep right up in the rough, steep country.

Anyone have similar or contrary experience with chukar? Any suggestions?
Thanks

[Vision]

Are you hiking uphill after the chukars?

[Chukar12]

As the season wears on they will become more likely to flush...the younger birds in the covey become educated. Windy conditions will sometimes make birds more flighty. Those are some reasons, and often it is noise on the approach to the dog on point. Your dog is young, and he or she may be roading the birds a bit which I have found does.t work well with covey birds and chukars in general. I believe that an experienced dog will learn to give chukars their distance, and they have to allow you to move to the front and quietly get in shooting range. You mention Roosters, presumably pheasants? While you are hunting chukars?...are you hunting wild birds?

[AG74]

Are you hiking uphill after the chukars?

about half the time, yes. Places I hunt the road is in the bottom, nowhere to go but up. Once I gain altitude I try to keep it. I usually find birds though in the nasty craggy steep narrow side draws and washes where the wind is calmer, swirling, etc and the dog gets closer to get scent than on open ridges. Seems like early birds held better than these late season ones.

[AG74]

As the season wears on they will become more likely to flush...the younger birds in the covey become educated. Windy conditions will sometimes make birds more flighty. Those are some reasons, and often it is noise on the approach to the dog on point. Your dog is young, and he or she may be roading the birds a bit which I have found does.t work well with covey birds and chukars in general. I believe that an experienced dog will learn to give chukars their distance, and they have to allow you to move to the front and quietly get in shooting range. You mention Roosters, presumably pheasants? While you are hunting chukars?...are you hunting wild birds?

the dog is doing great this season on Huns and will stop on scent, usually 30-40 yds, but at times out to 80-100 yds depending on wind, number of birds, etc. Anyway, he doesn't road in, once he's located the birds well, he won't creep or move. Chukar are just a little more confounding to us. Mainly I just wondered if other folks had chukar flushing wild, etc.

I hunt in farm country where phez ground and chukar ground are often separated by a road or creek. Occassionally a stray rooster or two get chased to hgher ground or a covey comes down to the creek to drink. I only hunt wild birds.

Thanks for the advice.

[Chukar12]

That is pretty cool that you have places to hunt both...I think what you are seeing is pretty typical with late season birds...

regards,
Joe

[DGFavor]

Like any predator/prey situation, it's all in the perception of each other's intent. They see you as a threat, they fly. I've found that pushing a shopping cart and carrying a shopping list in my hand seems to get me right in amongst 'em. I've been toying with the idea of wearing my clothes and hat backwards but afraid my big feet facing the wrong direction will tip 'em off to the ruse. Always glad to to help!

[AG74]

That is pretty cool that you have places to hunt both...I think what you are seeing is pretty typical with late season birds...

regards,
Joe

thanks Joe,
we are pretty fortunate around here. Bird numbers are good this year. One particular property has phez, Huns, chukar and calif quail. I've only ever gotten two of the four at once, but they are there!!

[Chukar12]

by DGFavor

Like any predator/prey situation, it's all in the perception of each other's intent. They see you as a threat, they fly. I've found that pushing a shopping cart and carrying a shopping list in my hand seems to get me right in amongst 'em. I've been toying with the idea of wearing my clothes and hat backwards but afraid my big feet facing the wrong direction will tip 'em off to the ruse. Always glad to to help!

AG please take no heed of him...he is over educated and is inclined to lead folks astray. He has nipped around the edges of helping you, as do many of the tracherous; he gives you part of the equation...this very website will provide insight of how he actually does things.

1st...note the horse in the avatar. Chukar country is laden with wild horses and the birds pay them no heed, Doc rides up on them and springs into action like a cavalry man.

2nd...He often hunts in the accompaniement of pretty women, reported to be his betrothed but no one has seen a marriage certificate. They masquerade as young lovers...eevn going as far as to load an IPOD with the complete collection of Captain and Tenille AND the live version of Muskrat Love...they play it aloud and the birds have little chance. I do understand that several wildlife departments have thoughts about banning the practice...this may be why he is less than forthcoming.



Does this look like a chukar hunt to you? For the love of all that's decent...

[Vision]

Are you hiking uphill after the chukars?

about half the time, yes. Places I hunt the road is in the bottom, nowhere to go but up. Once I gain altitude I try to keep it. I usually find birds though in the nasty craggy steep narrow side draws and washes where the wind is calmer, swirling, etc and the dog gets closer to get scent than on open ridges. Seems like early birds held better than these late season ones.

You got the idea to get above them.

[Wenaha]

More than likely it is you, not the dog, that is causing the birds to flush out of range. Sounds to me like your dog id doing a great job.

When I hunt chukars, I work on the uphill side of where the birds are likely to be. Dog goes on point facing downhill usually. I plan a flush by looping out and trying to stay out of sight until I am near where I think the birds are holding. This gives you a much better shooting opportunity than a straight downhill approach.

And yeah, the birds get flighty if they have been pressured at all.

[DGFavor]

Muskrat Love

Where do you come up with stuff?? Yer out there man! I like it!

[Chukar12]

I dunno...it seems appropriate in the heat of battle, but two hours later, pure shame. Let me ask this though...did you start humming the song or considering bits and pieces of the lyrics?

[AG74]

by DGFavor

Like any predator/prey situation, it's all in the perception of each other's intent. They see you as a threat, they fly. I've found that pushing a shopping cart and carrying a shopping list in my hand seems to get me right in amongst 'em. I've been toying with the idea of wearing my clothes and hat backwards but afraid my big feet facing the wrong direction will tip 'em off to the ruse. Always glad to to help!

AG please take no heed of him...he is over educated and is inclined to lead folks astray. He has nipped around the edges of helping you, as do many of the tracherous; he gives you part of the equation...this very website will provide insight of how he actually does things.

1st...note the horse in the avatar. Chukar country is laden with wild horses and the birds pay them no heed, Doc rides up on them and springs into action like a cavalry man.

2nd...He often hunts in the accompaniement of pretty women, reported to be his betrothed but no one has seen a marriage certificate. They masquerade as young lovers...eevn going as far as to load an IPOD with the complete collection of Captain and Tenille AND the live version of Muskrat Love...they play it aloud and the birds have little chance. I do understand that several wildlife departments have thoughts about banning the practice...this may be why he is less than forthcoming.



Does this look like a chukar hunt to you? For the love of all that's decent...

I was just thinking about trying to "hunt casual"...

[AG74]

More than likely it is you, not the dog, that is causing the birds to flush out of range. Sounds to me like your dog id doing a great job.

When I hunt chukars, I work on the uphill side of where the birds are likely to be. Dog goes on point facing downhill usually. I plan a flush by looping out and trying to stay out of sight until I am near where I think the birds are holding. This gives you a much better shooting opportunity than a straight downhill approach.

And yeah, the birds get flighty if they have been pressured at all.

He is doing a great job. I put that in one of my posts... Didn't you read it?

[Elkhunter]

Chukars are tough! I try to be real quiet once my dog is on point, usually allows me to get in range before they flush. But late season Chuks are a bugger! Sometimes ya get lucky!

[DGFavor]

did you start humming the song or considering bits and pieces of the lyrics?

Naw, I constantly have the theme song from "The Magnificent Seven" going on in my head - it gets real loud when I spot a dog on point in the distance and start galloping that way. Could that be what's causing all my birds to flush before I get there?

[Sierra Wirehair]

Don't over hunt the same coveys and areas. They will always bump 15-20 yards farther out the second day. Find more than one area close and hit both on a weekend trip. Chukar areas are easy to identify. Water sources, food , steep cover.