Himalayan Snowcock?

[chukar hunter]

Was reading a magazine article over the holidays that mentioned my favorite upland quarry the chukar, as #2 on the most difficult upland game species to hunt.  The infamous Himalayan Snowcock as #1.  I was disappointed as a sportsman for never hearing of such an upland game bird, that was readily available to hunt in the United States.  I've done a little internet research on the topic and identified the Ruby Mountains in Nevada as the only huntable population.  Season dates from 9/1 - 11/30, looking at remote high elevation +10,000' areas to find birds.  This species is now on the hit list and I will be making plans to hunt within the next couple of years.

QUESTIONS:
-Does anybody have experience on hunting these birds and can shed some insight to help eliminate any of the learning curve.
-Given the remote access do you think hunting pressure could be a concern?  The decision to wait til later in the season(hunting pressured birds) vs. the possibility of receiving high elevation snow to concentrate the flocks as lower elevations.
-Anyone with Ruby Mountain hunting experience that could give advice on access points. Water availability?
-Advantages/disadvantages of a dog.

Thanks for any help!

[boneaddict]

I've got the maps.   Most of it has to do with the brutal cold and access at that time frame.   Not sure how well a dog would perform.    There aren't very many of them and aren't hunted that bad for a reaason.    I did a limited amount of research when I drew that deer tag a couple years ago.    I was contemplating doing a combo hunt, but they weren't really going to be in the same area.   Elevation will rip you a new one.

[chukar hunter]

Any chance to get a hold of those maps?

Do you have any additional research recommendations from what you found out?

I'm not afraid of the elevation, I have a lot of high altitude climbing experience.  I'll pack that extra canister of Oxygen just in case.   P.S.  My motto is hunt harder not smarter!

[boneaddict]

I'll see if I still have the notes.   

Well the maps are brand new and they cost a mint.    I'll figure what I paid for them and or see if I can find the links.    I bought the state, and federal Quad maps and I think forest maps as well.    Generally I drop a couple hundred on maps when and if I put together an out of state hunt.   I guess I am old school versus web school.

[DOUBLELUNG]

I have 3 friends who have hunted them in the Ruby Mountains.  They always went for the opener, said even then they are extremely wary.  One got into a shoving match with a mountain goat billy on a narrow rock ledge, kept poking the billy with his shotgun as the billy kept trying to come forward.  He eventually backed his way out, the billy never did back off. 

They would go as a group of 4, and in a week's time would typically kill 2-3 birds total.  They did not take dogs, although they all had some very good bird dogs.  It is basically free-climbing with a shotgun, trying to find a bird you can both shoot and retrieve.

[pianoman9701]

Cool looking bird.

[DOUBLELUNG]

http://www.backpackingintherubymountains.info/himalayan/snowcock.html

[jackelope]

http://onyourownadventures.com/hunttalk/showthread.php?t=241149

[jackelope]

I thought you could draw a special permit in Utah for them. I'm probably wrong.

[Austrian Hunter]

That would be a need experience!!! 

[NW-GSP]

Looks like something I will have to put on my bucket list

[chukar hunter]

Thanks for the links.  Definitely going to pursue and try to add to the upland collection on the wall.

I'll see if I still have the notes.   

Well the maps are brand new and they cost a mint.    I'll figure what I paid for them and or see if I can find the links.    I bought the state, and federal Quad maps and I think forest maps as well.    Generally I drop a couple hundred on maps when and if I put together an out of state hunt.   I guess I am old school versus web school.

No worries on the maps Bone, I thought you might have some population density maps of some sort not readily available for the average Joe in print.  I as well prefer paper, but nothing beats first hand experience and worn boot leather.

[Stilly bay]

anyone who kills a snowcock, deserves a ton of respect IMO.
I lost interest in snowcocks as soon as I heard that its a good way to get your dog killed. its more of spot and stalk situation than a typical bird hunt. think super advanced fall turkey.
maybe I can raise some from chicks and let my dogs point a few in the yard before I cap 'em and send them off to the taxi.

[Birdguy]

They are a really cool bird to raise. There used to be a guy in the Arlington area that raised them when I first got into raising birds. I bought my first pair of mountain quail from him. I have always wished I had bought the snowcocks (seemed real expensive at the time) as I have not seen them in any other collection I have visited in the US. There was a guy in Canada that had them but that is it. Not a real common bird, but they make cool sounds and look great in an aviary.
     Stilly, if you decide to raise them let me know.

[Gringo31]

Never heard of them....

 

Thanks!

[Tealer]

Looks like I found my next group of exotics to raise.

[boneaddict]

I looked for them for a long time.    If I remember correctly I found one source and they werent cheap.   I decided not to try it in Yakima heat.

[asmith]

I moved up here from Northern Nevada 16 months ago.  I went after that bird just once, outside of Elko.  I gave up due to the fact that I wasnt prepared for what I got myself into.  Didnt know how bad the elevation would kick my ass, but I sure did find out.  I can tell you this, when you jump them, they like to dive over cliffs.  So watch when you shoot at them.  I wish I would have got into better shape.  One of these days I would love to try again.  Check out youtube for some hunting videos.  Just awesome terrain.  Good luck.

Aaron