Curious to hear what others are seeing for chukar numbers this year. I got out this past weekend and hit my number 1 and number 2 spot. These spots are reliable and usually the only thing between me and a limit is snow, my fitness level or my shooting. The first day I managed one bird and only put up two coveys of around 5 birds, both coveys jumped way wide. The next day I didn't see or hear a bird and the dog never smelled one.
I hunted high up, and down low and everywhere in between. Covered a combined 15 miles and a couple thousand vertical each day.
This is in north central WA.
Usually these areas are very loud with bird activity. I hunt a flushing dog so typically I listen for them talking, hone in on a general area and then follow the dog in there. I did not hear a single chukar talk all weekend. I can't help but wonder if the avian flu that's been going around cleaned out my spots.
