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This will be my first season chasing chukars aswell as my pup's first season hunting (brittany).
Any tips?
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Joined: Dec 2004
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early season can be great. the birds are concentrated near water but it can be hot. hunt early and bring lots of water for the dog. watch for snakes.
don't bother hunting if it's raining. just my experience, i've never had good luck during wet weather.
try to locate birds and get above them. if coming up from below, birds will out climb you and fly before you get in range.
hunting after a snow storm is the best. birds hold tight and you can track them.
if hunting in windy conditions, the birds will hold in pockets on the lee side of ridges.
make sure your brittany is in good shape and has tough pads. chukar country will cripple a dog that isn't in shape.
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Thanks for the helpful info. I hope to be out after sharptails before chukar season opens. Not that open grassland will be anything like the terrain chukar hangout it, but he wont be too fat by then lol.
I'll probably invest in some boots for him just incase.
I'm not expecting much, except a HUGE learning curve. Thanks again.
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If you're from Wyoming you should also hunt Sage Chickens. They are great for young dogs.
I start in Wyoming for Chickens in September. The move west into Idaho, Oregon and Nevada for chukar, quail and Huns.
I usually hunt until just before Christmas.
Booting a dog is not a simple task. All our dogs a conditioned and tuff, so we don't have to boot.
Rattle snakes can be terrible in chuker country. You need a hard freeze to keep them down. Don't go until then.
Last edited by Reba; 05/20/12.
When the tailgate drops the BS stops.
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Oh ya, i hope to locate some sage grouse too.
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Joined: Dec 2006
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Campfire Ranger
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early season can be great. the birds are concentrated near water but it can be hot. hunt early and bring lots of water for the dog. watch for snakes.
don't bother hunting if it's raining. just my experience, i've never had good luck during wet weather.
try to locate birds and get above them. if coming up from below, birds will out climb you and fly before you get in range.
hunting after a snow storm is the best. birds hold tight and you can track them.
if hunting in windy conditions, the birds will hold in pockets on the lee side of ridges.
make sure your brittany is in good shape and has tough pads. chukar country will cripple a dog that isn't in shape.
...what he said... I've hunted them for a few years.  ![[Linked Image]](http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y7/luv2safari/scan0001-2.jpg) ![[Linked Image]](http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y7/luv2safari/MVC-002S-2-1.jpg)
Hunt with Class and Classics
Religion: A founder of The Church of Spray and Pray
Acquit v. t. To render a judgment in a murder case in San Francisco... EQUAL, adj. As bad as something else. Ambrose Bierce “The Devil's Dictionary”
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Awesome pics! I'm getting pumped just to go scout.
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Run your dogs on gravel for a few weeks before the season. I have seen a few dogs packed off the mountain due to tender foot. Have a way to pick quills too, here cactus and chukar are in bed together. Often you are conditioned to give the bird a second to get yourself shot ready.....a whole covey of chukar will fly 43 miles in one second.....if your dog says a bird is here.....believe it and be ready.
And pack more water than you need, the dogs will lighten your pack in short order.
I would not buy something that runs on any kind of primer given the possibility of primer shortages and even regulations. In fact, why not buy a flintlock? Really. Rocks aren't going away anytime soon.
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Joined: Dec 2006
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Great tips!  I keep my dogs in a kennel on pea-gravel year around to keep their feet tough. I still get cases of sore feet. Be real sure to check their feet OFTEN during the day. You can't carry too much water in early season, either. And...don't try to outrun chuckar up hill. They'll win, and you'll hate them even more. We call chuckar hunting "vendetta". 
Hunt with Class and Classics
Religion: A founder of The Church of Spray and Pray
Acquit v. t. To render a judgment in a murder case in San Francisco... EQUAL, adj. As bad as something else. Ambrose Bierce “The Devil's Dictionary”
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![[Linked Image]](http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q129/nimrod1949/chukar.jpg) I love to chase the red legged devils... The dog and I are getting old and fat not chasing them as much as we used to. Kids and distance have changed things. I'd steer clear of the dog boots. I've been known to use vetwrap on the lower legs where the rocks tear and scrape. Definitely work the feet and look into Tuf-foot. Best advice... don't start! You won't be able to get it out of your system
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Campfire Outfitter
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And if you don't have at least one classic SxS.....might as well figure that in too.
I would not buy something that runs on any kind of primer given the possibility of primer shortages and even regulations. In fact, why not buy a flintlock? Really. Rocks aren't going away anytime soon.
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Im working on the SxS part. DT's w/ english stock. Not a classic though....to rich for my blood. A Huglu or Akus will have to do lol.
Besides, i thought most chukar hunters carried Semi's anyway?
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Joined: Apr 2009
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I carry a double O/U and wish I had a lightweight semi 20 like an AL48 or Montefeltro with and extended tube. If you hike that hard two shots can make you feel lame.
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Joined: Mar 2005
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I hunt them little bastids with a light o/u 12.
It's a good time but aggravating at times.
I always say guys hunt chukars the first time either because they are naive or crazy. Everytime after that is to get revenge.
I love em
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If you have time to get three shots off.....well, you can't. I wish I had some field pics of this day, but it was about 10* blowing hard with near blinding snow.....and one of my few limit on chukar days. ![[Linked Image]](http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z16/gyonemura/jennascamerachrismas08030.jpg)
I would not buy something that runs on any kind of primer given the possibility of primer shortages and even regulations. In fact, why not buy a flintlock? Really. Rocks aren't going away anytime soon.
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Posts: 17,783
Campfire Ranger
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I have a Fox side by side, but a good pump is my choice for all upland game...as sure as you open a double to reload, birds will fly...it happens every time...
Molon Labe
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Joined: Dec 2006
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If you have time to get three shots off.....well, you can't. I wish I had some field pics of this day, but it was about 10* blowing hard with near blinding snow.....and one of my few limit on chukar days. "Double" Cool! You did it the right way.
Hunt with Class and Classics
Religion: A founder of The Church of Spray and Pray
Acquit v. t. To render a judgment in a murder case in San Francisco... EQUAL, adj. As bad as something else. Ambrose Bierce “The Devil's Dictionary”
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Hmmm well i went and did it. I went and looked at a Benelli Ultra Light. WOW. Lightest 12ga i've ever handled, and it shouldered like a dream. The price tag is another story though...
Anyone have experience with the Franchi I-12 Upland, Affinity, or BUL?? I'm thinking a light semi-auto is the way to go for a "do all" upland gun.
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Unless you are going for water foul, get a 20 ga.............
Benelli is worth the price!
When the tailgate drops the BS stops.
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Why go 20ga if you can get a 6.4lb 12ga? That gives you the payload of a 12ga in a gun that feels like a 20ga.
Is there something i'm missing?
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