Late, Great Chukar

The joys of ending the season in the high country

I could only stand and stare, gasping for breath as I watched the birds fly across the canyon and touch down on the other side. We had run, slipped, slid and post-holed our way to the dogs on point. It had been a much harder approach than usual, but during the late season nothing comes easy. Thankfully we’d taken a couple of chukar off the point, which had made the post-holing worth it.

After collecting the birds and catching our breath, we descended into the canyon. It was the north slope and as slippery as an ice rink. Once we got down safely, it was a long slog getting up the other side—a typical chukar hunting experience. What wasn’t typical, however, was what we found upon reaching the top: a maze of fresh tracks tempting us to follow. The dogs used their noses while we tracked with our eyes, and we found the birds scattered across the ridgetop unaware of the “cookie crumbs” they’d left behind. With the chukar holding tight in singles and pairs, the efforts we’d made crossing the treacherous canyon paid off. It was one of those hunts that sticks in your mind, and at the end of the day our tailgates were stacked with birds.

Cue Andy Williams singing “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” except that instead of thinking of it in terms of Christmas, I associate it with late-season chukar hunting. In my mind, the late season is indeed the most wonderful time to be afield, and I’d go as far as to say that chasing late-season chukar is the absolute pinnacle of upland hunting. Now I know that all the pheasant and grouse hunters are going to disagree, but I’ll argue this one to the death. I think chukar hunting is the bee’s knees, and I’d happily give up hunting every other bird the rest of the year to chase late-season chukar for eternity.

Protecting dogs in the winter means keeping an eye on temperatures and snow conditions.

The late season offers expansive snow-covered vistas, tight-holding birds, explosive flushes, large coveys, the increased physical challenges for hunters and dogs, mazes of bird tracks, unpredictable weather and roads that can eat your truck alive. Did I mention complete solitude? The late season has it all; and it’s all I ever think about.

Many hunters would disagree, and I get that. Chukar hunting is hard enough without adding snow, ice and mud, but there’s something about putting it all together that makes it feel like the perfect storm—in a good way. During the late season I’m often glued to weather reports like a backcountry skier, constantly searching for fresh snow to run the dogs in. Soft, fresh snow makes the high country a winter wonderland, and the added ability to track birds is a treat.

I’m not a big fan of warm weather, so the early season is tough for me. Temperatures are high, it’s dry and dusty, scenting conditions are tough, and you have to carry extra water to sustain the dogs on long hunts. There have been plenty of times in October when I’ve had to cut hunts short after running out of water, and it’s been incredibly frustrating. In the winter the dogs consume a normal amount of water, and sometimes keeping your bottle ice-free is your only water-related challenge. The dogs often eat snow throughout the day, too, which helps cut down on water consumption.

The weather isn’t the only thing that’s different during the late season; bird behavior can change significantly as well. Often extremely cold weather, dense fog, hoar frost and heavy snow can get chukar to congregate, creating giant coveys looking to stay warm and clear away snow so they can eat grass. The cold weather and the birds’ resistance to leaving their limited food sources can result in them holding tight—hesitant to jump off icy cliffs into the windy abyss.

Late-season chukar country offers some spectacular vistas and plenty of solitude.

Unfortunately, you can’t always rely on tight-holding birds, as sometimes it’s the opposite, especially if there isn’t much snow on the ground. If you’re hunting an area that gets a lot of pressure, the birds likely will have smartened up and won’t hang around. Smaller coveys that have been chased earlier in the year aren’t going to hold well; in fact, sometimes they’ll simply run uphill ahead of you and flush out of range.

Another downside of the late season is that you can’t use water sources to located birds. Instead, it’s better to look for leeward or south-facing slopes and areas with abundant food and shelter. The tip here is obvious: Head to less-trafficked areas during the late season, and focus on food and shelter when looking for parts of the mountain to plan your hunt around.

Another challenging aspect of the late season is the long, dark drives on treacherous roads through the middle of nowhere. Driving home late at night is bad enough, but once winter hits there’s snow and ice to contend with. That means you have to be prepared—not only to prevent collisions with other vehicles, but also to keep your truck from getting stuck. I’m assuming that you’re driving a 4x4, because any serious chukar hunter should be, given the places the birds live.

A fresh hoar frost can turn the landscape into a winter wonderland.

Tires are the first line of defense, and getting a solid set of tires should be top priority for those spending lots of time on treacherous winter roads. For those running mud terrains, it makes sense to switch to a winter-rated all-terrain or, better yet, a proper winter tire.

The places we hunt chukar rarely see traffic, so the ability to self-recover becomes extremely important. Once your tires are dialed in, the next thing to purchase is a solid set of traction boards. These have gotten me out of a pinch more times than I can count and are the most important part of my recovery kit. Winches are great, but remember that there are few trees in chukar country; so unless you’re lucky and have the ability to tie off to a large boulder, anchor points are few and far between.

Now, what happens if you’ve tried everything and can’t get out? Well, you’d be totally screwed if you hadn’t prepared properly. I always pack about a week’s worth of dehydrated food, a stove with extra gas, plenty of water, extra clothing layers and sleeping bags. I also carry plenty of extra dog food. If you’re really stuck, you’re going to need help; but likely you’ll have little to no cell service. That’s why carrying a Garmin inReach is a great insurance policy and could even save your life.

Chukar tend to be runners, but they leave “cookie crumb” tracks in the snow. Photo by Gary Kramer/garykramer.net

In terms of clothing, not much changes for me during the late season. Usually I dress the same but carry an extra waterproof/windproof shell for added warmth and protection if things get really wet or cold. I typically wear a merino base layer, a heavier-weight shirt and an insulated vest while hunting and use the waterproof shell when needed for the weather or for blocking the wind when I stop for lunch or snacks.

Slips and falls are common on icy ground. While I don’t personally, some people wear micro spikes, which can be a huge help if you aren’t super steady on your feet and would like extra protection. I wear the same boots (non-insulated) and gaiters throughout the season, with the only real difference being that late in the year the gaiters are more for keeping out snow and slush, whereas earlier they are mainly for protection from cheatgrass seeds.

Keeping the dogs safe is also important. While I don’t have to worry much in cold weather, as my wirehairs tend to run hot, I do carry a space blanket and hand warmers in my first-aid kit should any of us need extra warmth in the field. One thing that does need extra consideration is those times when you’re hunting in snow that has a crust on top or forms snowballs easily. The latter type of snow can collect under a dog’s pads and between toes, causing abrasions and making it hard to walk. To combat this, I occasionally use Musher’s Secret, rubbing the wax-based product on the bottoms of feet like dog-sledders do. It’s rare that I need to use it, but I always keep a jar in the truck. Vaseline can also work in a pinch.

Driving in chukar country can be challenging, and hunters need to be prepared.

While I’ve mainly focused on the cons of the late season, I have done this to make sure hunters are prepared. If you’re prepared for the worst, you’ll be ready for the best—and oh how good it can be!

Last season I had an unforgettable day hunting in a fresh hoar frost. The roads into the area were still frozen, and we stopped briefly to do a risk analysis, knowing the roads could be unpassable when they thawed. A brief—and I mean very brief—consult led us to say, “Screw it,” before driving the rest of the way in. The conditions were simply too good to pass up; we’d deal with the drive out later . . . .

Once we got to the location, I let the dogs out as we geared up. I had barely tied my boots when one of the dogs went on point 150 yards from the truck and the other backed. We walked over to them, and when the covey of chukar flushed, I promptly shot a double, reloaded and knocked down a straggler. Three birds in the first few minutes is a pretty rare occurrence, but the day just continued like that. I ended up with my eight-bird limit less than two hours into the hunt and spent the rest of the time taking photos and heckling my friends whenever they missed. We all ended the day with our limits, some tired dogs and some incredible memories from the crystallized chukar hills. The drive out was spicy, with multiple traction-board recoveries, and the normally two-hour trip to the highway turned into four. Would I do it again? You bet your life! 

Late-season chukar hunting has it all, and as long as you’re prepared and stay safe, you can experience the best that the uplands have to offer. Whether it’s in a snowstorm, after a hoar frost or on a bluebird day with fresh snow, a winter wonderland awaits. Which is all the more reason to jump in the truck and enjoy some solitude as you soak in the final days of the season. 

Buy This Issue / Subscribe Now