Quail in the Yaki Valley

[10Key]

I have yet to hit that area for quail this year, I am thinking of doing it this weekend as I won't be able to hunt the deer opener

Anyways, how are numbers looking? The goal is to get Chukar in front of more "wild" birds as soon as possible and I figured this would be our best bet. Last weekend we came across four wild hen pheasant. In the high winds they were running like crazy and teaching poor Chukar a lesson!

I already have a couple areas in mind to check out, just want to hear what has people have been seeing.

[fluentvoo]

Saw coveys while heading chukar hunting near Yak on opening day.

[wonder]

I had a nice long talk with the Wildlife Biologist out of Wenatchee earlier this week and he was a plethora of info.  He said the numbers for Chukar are way down in his area and have been for many years but the coveys that you do find seem to be in good numbers ?  He didn't know much about the Huns and he said quail are down a bit too because of the wet spring but are still readily available.  He did say that they (WDFW) has not figured out why the Chukar numbers are in decline ?  If you want to find out more info about an area other than a local or someone that has already been there they seem to be very willing to give you some tips on where to go.

[Machias]

If you run into him again tell him one reason is the trapping ban.   Lots of nest raiders and chick killers, ie coons, skunks and such are on the increase.  Same thing happened in MO when the fur market crashed after the 70s and the dang biologist were all standing around scratching their butts trying to figure out why the quail and turkey hatches were were declining so much.

[Special T]

Just another reason to gunn em all and let God Sort them out!