chukar?

[chuckboy]

chukars? New to the forum. Have been hunting chukars for a few years in the yakima area. last year saw lots of birds at the end of season.  have run into very few this year  anybody have any ideas as to what happened to them?

[270Shooter]

wolves ate em.

[TC Larsen]

They are still around, before the snow hits is the best time to get them, did great on opener of cresent bar, take the boat out there, you will get birds 

[Balladeer]

I haven't seen any chukar this year.

[teal101]

I wait till the snow hits before I really get into the Chukars.  Makes it much more fun imo.  Pushes em down lower as well.

Crescent bar has no chukars

[high country]

only been out once this year and it was pretty low bird counts. I took a limit on the last day of the season last year and 3 of the birds were not going to make the week let alone the winter. I think the mortality rate is up......not as bad as my trip to montana last week.........talk about birds number being down.

[Professor Chaos]

I think a tough winter, combined with a poor spring hatch has really hurt the chukar numbers.  I only saw 3 covies on opening weekend and they were all old mature birds.  I am not going to hunt that area again this year due to the low numbers.  I have heard scattered reports of good bird numbers though so i think it depends a lot on the area you are hunting.
Right now with the cooler weather and after the little rain we got, the birds will be up high and in the rimrocks.  on opening day they were down low in areas closer to water.

[ribka]

This year have seen good numbers in some areas and low number in others.
I think typical of the last few years. I have some areas in Yak county if you want to join me, Pm if interested

FYI some tough hiking involved

[Chukar]

Hunted three times this year and saw birds (plenty of birds) in all three locations. But then...I walk until I find them. Yakima Canyon, outside of Vantage and a secret sweet spot... Limits were available.
The terrain can be so rugged and easily puts off a huner that does not find any in the "usual" haunts.

[Rowdy]

They're out there...  Strap up the boots and bring plenty of water for the dog.

[hornhunter]

I dont hunt early for Chukars:

1. I hate snakes!

2. I hate snakes!

3. Big Game seasons keep me pre occupied.

But once all the snakes go nite nite I head for the hills to chase some chukars, my favorite upland bird of all!  Nombers being down surprises me.  All other game seems to have done well this past year.   

[teal101]

I dont hunt early for Chukars:

1. I hate snakes!

2. I hate snakes!

3. Big Game seasons keep me pre occupied.

But once all the snakes go nite nite I head for the hills to chase some chukars, my favorite upland bird of all!  Nombers being down surprises me.  All other game seems to have done well this past year.   

The wet spring was hell on upland birds this year

[Gobble Gobble]

Wish I could hunt the Sage grouse at Yakima Training Center.