New to Upland Hunting

[jbmattes]

Hi All,

I'm a fairly new WA resident - moved here from WI 2 years ago and was able to tag out on a nice muley a couple weeks ago to fill my freezer. Now that that's out of the way, I would love to get some boots on the ground and learn more about chasing feathers. I live in Western Washington but am definitely willing to drive a few hours for an opportunity. I was looking at targeting some of the places I've spotted chukar/grouse while muley hunting west of Lake Chelan as it would double for scouting deer, but am open to any new area. Any tips, techniques, or any other helpful information on upland hunting in Washington would be greatly appreciated, as I don't have any upland hunters in my social circle here yet *insert Seattle Freeze joke* I do NOT have a bird dog, so was planning on walking gravel roads, etc with my 12 gauge.

Thanks much!

[KP-Skagit]

Chukar without a dog is doable but a lot of work. When you sail one 300 yards down the canyon or wing break one that runs on you you will be wishing for a pup. They like to live in the canyons that lead down to the Columbia and I bet Chelan (never gone there). They love rocks. Strong winds can be your friend as they will tend to hide in the lee of rocks and hold pretty tight. Approach from upwind and get ready, they are fast and tough. Calm days they run like crazy and you will unknowingly be pushing them in front of you. Once you find a couple coveys make sure to take note of where they were. They will tend to be in the same place. You will see piles of crap and dustings from years of the birds roosting in one area. First thing in the morning keep yours ears working, they will start talking and you will be able to hone in on their location.

You also may find Hungarian partridge depending on the terrain you are hunting for chukar. These are a little smaller than chukar. They tend to like flats and tops of ridges but also will hold in brush in canyons.

Grouse are a very different story, you tend to find them where you find them and this time of year its almost always just one bird. I get most of mine seeing them while driving and getting out and shooting. If you go out deer scouting and hoping for a bonus grouse you will have a good time. Going out for a limit of grouse and you might be disappointed.

[metlhead]

Sounds like you've done the hardest part by finding birds already. Hunt them till you have them figured out, then learn again all you thought you knew! Seattle? You are best off just spending alot of windshield time to find decent hunting. Anywhere within an hour of home already has been found by a couple other folks. Enjoy what the state has to offer.

[nopretext]

I think we're in much the same boat.

Grays Harbor is said to be particularly good for grouse (as Western Washington goes... the eastern Cascades might be more convenient from Seattle until winter sets in, though) and there's tons of public and private land that's open to hunting out on the peninsula that has what looks like promising grouse habitats.

I've considered getting a Western WA pheasant permit as there are a few sites reasonably close.

[jbmattes]

Sounds like you've done the hardest part by finding birds already. Hunt them till you have them figured out, then learn again all you thought you knew! Seattle? You are best off just spending alot of windshield time to find decent hunting. Anywhere within an hour of home already has been found by a couple other folks. Enjoy what the state has to offer.

Thanks so much for the upland tips and especially providing expectations. Mine certainly aren't very high. Just looking forward to getting out to explore some new country and trying my hand at a new type of hunting. I have no issue putting some miles on my tires and boots, as that makes the reward that much better.

[carlyoungs]

Have you hunted upland before? I am trying to get into it myself but have never hunted birds. I have a 5 month old lab I want to start taking hunting. I am going to take him to one of the private farms where they release birds to see how he does. What I'm saying is I know nothing about bird hunting .

[jbmattes]

Have you hunted upland before? I am trying to get into it myself but have never hunted birds. I have a 5 month old lab I want to start taking hunting. I am going to take him to one of the private farms where they release birds to see how he does. What I'm saying is I know nothing about bird hunting .

Not on public land. I've done a few farms where they release birds like what you're talking about doing, but that's the extent of my bird hunting experience and knowledge.

[carlyoungs]

Just curious if anyone hunts pheasant with a pump shotgun? I do need an excuse to buy a new gun but want to try out upland before I pull the trigger on a over under. In my thinking it will kill a bird no problem but it isn't up to standards in upland hunting.  Bonus points if someone has a over under or side by side they are thinking of getting rid of for a decent price 🤣

[Backstrap]

Just curious if anyone hunts pheasant with a pump shotgun? I do need an excuse to buy a new gun but want to try out upland before I pull the trigger on a over under. In my thinking it will kill a bird no problem but it isn't up to standards in upland hunting.  Bonus points if someone has a over under or side by side they are thinking of getting rid of for a decent price 🤣

Hunt what ya got. It’s not a beauty pageant...

Really though, I hope you get out there and have some fun. Show up at scatter creek release site at 8AM thanksgiving day if you want to see a real shiet show, and have a good chance bagging a pheasant, with or without a dog.

Best of luck.

[Rutnbuxnbulls]

We hunt with whatever we have. Pumps are great for any bird hunting. That third shot is sometimes the best after I’ve wiffed on the first two! When you get some experience you might just load two shells for more of a challenge.

[MR5x5]

Chukar without a dog is doable but a lot of work. When you sail one 300 yards down the canyon or wing break one that runs on you you will be wishing for a pup. They like to live in the canyons that lead down to the Columbia and I bet Chelan (never gone there). They love rocks. Strong winds can be your friend as they will tend to hide in the lee of rocks and hold pretty tight. Approach from upwind and get ready, they are fast and tough. Calm days they run like crazy and you will unknowingly be pushing them in front of you. Once you find a couple coveys make sure to take note of where they were. They will tend to be in the same place. You will see piles of crap and dustings from years of the birds roosting in one area. First thing in the morning keep yours ears working, they will start talking and you will be able to hone in on their location.

You also may find Hungarian partridge depending on the terrain you are hunting for chukar. These are a little smaller than chukar. They tend to like flats and tops of ridges but also will hold in brush in canyons.

Grouse are a very different story, you tend to find them where you find them and this time of year its almost always just one bird. I get most of mine seeing them while driving and getting out and shooting. If you go out deer scouting and hoping for a bonus grouse you will have a good time. Going out for a limit of grouse and you might be disappointed.

Chuckar hunting being a border line mental condition on a good day, I can't even imagine doing it without a dog! 

[KP-Skagit]

Don't need a fancy double barrel to kill birds. I started with a pump now I shoot a benelli super black eagle. Having another shot helps a ton on chukar, there always seems to be one or two lay birds.

[KP-Skagit]

And yes, is there anything better than chukar hunting? no... Anything worse than chukar hunting? no...

Oh jeez, now I am thinking about chukar hunting again...

[MR5x5]

And yes, is there anything better than chukar hunting? no... Anything worse than chukar hunting? no...

Oh jeez, now I am thinking about chukar hunting again...

How the hell did my truck get way up there?  How the hell did I get way down here?  Why does one of my legs hurt?  Why is my dog growling at me?  Oh yeah, I'm Chukar hunting!!!! 

[jbmattes]

And yes, is there anything better than chukar hunting? no... Anything worse than chukar hunting? no...

Oh jeez, now I am thinking about chukar hunting again...

How the hell did my truck get way up there?  How the hell did I get way down here?  Why does one of my legs hurt?  Why is my dog growling at me?  Oh yeah, I'm Chukar hunting!!!! 

Now that sounds like my kind of hunting! If only the snow would cooperate. Might have to change plans and aimlessly walk around the wet side in hopes of coming across a grouse.