Hunting Washington Forum

Other Hunting => Upland Birds => Topic started by: huntsman_trev on October 15, 2015, 09:51:52 AM

Title: Chukar and hun
Post by: huntsman_trev on October 15, 2015, 09:51:52 AM: Where do you guys see these bugars? and what gauge/shot # do you guys use? any personal favorite recipes for these beautiful birds?
Title: Re: Chukar and hun
Post by: asmith on October 15, 2015, 11:23:24 AM: I always use 7.5 shot, as I only run into them when quail hunting. I don't specifically target them. I cook all my upland birds the same way, breast them out, wrap in thick cut bacon and soak overnight in teriyaki. Then bbq or bake.
Title: Re: Chukar and hun
Post by: Curly on October 15, 2015, 11:42:27 AM: Beautiful dogs, Trev.

Chukar are found on the breaks of Columbia, Snake, and Yakima Rivers (as well as other steep, rocky areas with cheat grass). Huns are in sagebrush near wheat fields. I haven't been lucky enough to really get into huns very much.
Title: Re: Chukar and hun
Post by: jackson7 on October 15, 2015, 05:09:09 PM: usually use 6's out of a 20 gauge. Curly hit the areas.
Title: Re: Chukar and hun
Post by: Fshnpole on October 15, 2015, 09:35:05 PM: Yea now more than i ever feel you have to target certain areas for different birds. I always remember going bird hunting with 4'sfor pheasant 6's for huns and 7 1/2 for quail and always having a combination of many birds in the vest. Now i just feel lucky to find some birds when im out chasin them. And use to see chukar in places you would never see them now.
Title: Re: Chukar and hun
Post by: brokenvet on October 16, 2015, 06:11:28 AM: Nice birds
Title: Re: Chukar and hun
Post by: JayBird02 on October 16, 2015, 10:54:01 AM: I hunt with 6's most of the season and if I'm chasing late season chukars I might go with 5's.
Title: Re: Chukar and hun
Post by: huntsman_trev on October 16, 2015, 06:00:07 PM: Quote from: JayBird02 on October 16, 2015, 10:54:01 AM
I hunt with 6's most of the season and if I'm chasing late season chukars I might go with 5's.
that's what i was thinking, thanks for the help. Great looking birds and dogs!
Title: Re: Chukar and hun
Post by: SpringerFan on October 16, 2015, 07:23:23 PM: Thought cheat grass was bad for dogs to hunt in. How do you keep your dog's safe from getting any imbeded?
Title: Re: Chukar and hun
Post by: merkelman on October 17, 2015, 11:39:49 AM: Anyone else out there have any luck with the red legs or the greys?
Title: Re: Chukar and hun
Post by: ribka on October 17, 2015, 02:15:41 PM: decent luck on Huns
Title: Re: Chukar and hun
Post by: JayBird02 on October 17, 2015, 05:23:46 PM: Quote from: merkelman on October 17, 2015, 11:39:49 AM
Anyone else out there have any luck with the red legs or the greys?
You need to get your ass back over here and maybe we can both have some luck. The Hungarian Hillside is look good along with Chukar *censored* Ridge
Title: Re: Chukar and hun
Post by: merkelman on October 17, 2015, 08:57:21 PM: Haaaaa! Soon enough my friend...
Title: Re: Chukar and hun
Post by: wildweeds on October 17, 2015, 09:47:10 PM: I thought way outside the box one time and plucked some chuks,stuffed em with apple based stuffing,smoked em in the smoker about an hour and a half on low temp and then finished em off in the oven. Pretty much a home run, my wife who hates anything smoked exclaimed you need to shoot a bunch more of those things. And yeah plucking them sucked.Sure wish my granddad was still around I used to drop off roosters and he'd pluck em and grandma would cook them up and they were to die for, she'd brown em, make gravy and lay the parts over scalloped potatos(the home made kind) and cover the browned birds with gravy and bake till done. Good gravy could that southern woman cook gamebirds. Her chore as a youngun in ole miss was to take a shotgun and fetch quail for supper and then cook em.Nothing fancy salt pepper as far as seasonings went.
Title: Re: Chukar and hun
Post by: Fishnfowler on October 19, 2015, 11:11:08 AM: I hunt them along the Yakima, Snake, Columbia, and Salmon Rivers.

(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi718.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fww184%2FFishnfowler%2F9-3-15%2520and%2520chukar%2520005_zpshluhlqgr.jpg&hash=da918a2fdfea35522769b12ca3e2108430b75097)

(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi718.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fww184%2FFishnfowler%2F9-3-15%2520and%2520chukar%2520023_zpskyaoyqee.jpg&hash=c8877389923891e1fd82a7d5e06720752306e0a3)

1-1/8oz of No. 6 shot is my preferred load.

I eat them a dozen different ways, but my favorite is a stuffed breast lightly grilled and served with a sauce over wild rice. Kebobs and peanut sauce are also very good.
Title: Re: Chukar and hun
Post by: huntsman_trev on October 19, 2015, 04:35:30 PM: Sweet! I'll have to try. Thanks!

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Title: Re: Chukar and hun
Post by: merkelman on November 03, 2015, 01:55:19 PM: Monday's hunt. 3-4 covies in 4 hours is not bad. Dogs outperformed the hunter this time!
Title: Re: Chukar and hun
Post by: huntsman_trev on November 03, 2015, 01:56:08 PM: Beautiful gun! What is it?

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Title: Re: Chukar and hun
Post by: merkelman on November 03, 2015, 04:33:42 PM: Ugartechea grade 3, 20ga.
Title: Re: Chukar and hun
Post by: nwwanderer on November 03, 2015, 05:02:11 PM: By now cheatgrass (downy brome or Bromus Tectorum if you are picky) seed has planted itself and that is the new growth you are seeing with a drop in temps and a little rain. That tiny new growth stuff is really high in nutrients, a few slow late grasshoppers and a little new growth cheat makes for happy chukars. The huns are mostly found out in the wide open stubble fields feeding on seeds like pheasants. Your dogs usually will not have any cheat problems this late. The seeds are the issue, they are barbed to seed themselves and dig quickly into sensitive dog parts. When the dog moves so does the seed.
Bring water for you and your dog. Be careful out there.
Title: Re: Chukar and hun
Post by: ribka on November 04, 2015, 11:55:42 AM: Quote from: merkelman on November 03, 2015, 01:55:19 PM
Monday's hunt. 3-4 covies in 4 hours is not bad. Dogs outperformed the hunter this time!

Looks familiar 8)
Title: Re: Chukar and hun
Post by: merkelman on November 04, 2015, 10:12:02 PM: How so?
Title: Re: Chukar and hun
Post by: ribka on November 06, 2015, 09:03:21 AM: Area in background of pic
Title: Re: Chukar and hun
Post by: merkelman on November 18, 2015, 06:37:48 AM: Quote from: merkelman on November 03, 2015, 01:55:19 PM
Monday's hunt. 3-4 covies in 4 hours is not bad. Dogs outperformed the hunter this time!
More success last Sunday. Photos to follow...anyone else out there having a good season so far? Ditch parrots don't count!!
Title: Re: Chukar and hun
Post by: Spencer on November 18, 2015, 10:29:28 AM: Also having a good season (Chukar). Lots of bird contacts and some big coveys this year. Be out there again tomorrow.
Title: Re: Chukar and hun
Post by: merkelman on November 18, 2015, 04:33:48 PM: Great coveys this year!!! Will be back out this weekend. Should have nice weather as well.
Title: Re: Chukar and hun
Post by: JayBird02 on November 19, 2015, 02:25:12 AM: Still seeing lots of birds. Dogs have been doing great all year.
Title: Re: Chukar and hun
Post by: joe_dumy on November 19, 2015, 06:16:36 AM: It has been a great year for me so far. I have shot a couple of boxes and have 4 chukar and three huns to show for it. That's walking about 120 miles in beutiful chukar country. If I was a better shot I could have limited a couple of times. The thing I am most excited about is that my dog Pam is really starring to get it. Good thing my buddies shoot better than me, being fat and a bad shot is great for their egos. My 8 year old son is chukar crazy now and my 7 year daughter loves everything about chukar hunting besides the steep hills. Not looking forward to snow and ice but I am pretty sure chukar will be calling me all season. I am not seeing a anymore chukar then seasons past but a good year so far. Can't wait to go again.
Title: Re: Chukar and hun
Post by: merkelman on November 19, 2015, 10:18:34 AM: We are seeing better numbers this year without a doubt! Hope it continues for the next few years.
Title: Re: Chukar and hun
Post by: Dhoey07 on November 19, 2015, 10:29:45 AM: One of these days I'll have to chase some chukars, cool looking little buggers :tup:
Title: Re: Chukar and hun
Post by: merkelman on November 22, 2015, 07:02:05 AM: Quote from: merkelman on November 19, 2015, 10:18:34 AM
We are seeing better numbers this year without a doubt! Hope it continues for the next few years.
Hunting the hills shortly. Can't wait to spend some time in Gods beauty!!!
Title: Re: Chukar and hun
Post by: boneaddict on November 22, 2015, 07:24:10 AM: I'm seeing fewer quail and pheasants, but chukar sand Huns seem plentiful. They have provided plenty of heart stimulation this fall.
Title: Re: Chukar and hun
Post by: merkelman on November 23, 2015, 08:51:07 PM: Quote from: merkelman on November 18, 2015, 06:37:48 AM
Quote from: merkelman on November 03, 2015, 01:55:19 PM
Monday's hunt. 3-4 covies in 4 hours is not bad. Dogs outperformed the hunter this time!
More success last Sunday. Photos to follow...anyone else out there having a good season so far? Ditch parrots don't count!!
Title: Re: Chukar and hun
Post by: JayBird02 on November 23, 2015, 10:51:09 PM: Quote from: merkelman on November 23, 2015, 08:51:07 PM
Quote from: merkelman on November 18, 2015, 06:37:48 AM
Quote from: merkelman on November 03, 2015, 01:55:19 PM
Monday's hunt. 3-4 covies in 4 hours is not bad. Dogs outperformed the hunter this time!
More success last Sunday. Photos to follow...anyone else out there having a good season so far? Ditch parrots don't count!!
Nice birds I see you're hunting Cooke Canyon again
Title: Re: Chukar and hun
Post by: merkelman on November 24, 2015, 08:18:04 AM: Quote from: JayBird02 on November 23, 2015, 10:51:09 PM
Quote from: merkelman on November 23, 2015, 08:51:07 PM
Quote from: merkelman on November 18, 2015, 06:37:48 AM
Quote from: merkelman on November 03, 2015, 01:55:19 PM
Monday's hunt. 3-4 covies in 4 hours is not bad. Dogs outperformed the hunter this time!
More success last Sunday. Photos to follow...anyone else out there having a good season so far? Ditch parrots don't count!!
Nice birds I see you're hunting Cooke Canyon again
Yep, a total wanna be!!!
Title: Re: Chukar and hun
Post by: merkelman on December 16, 2015, 09:11:29 PM: Great weather and fun times with the real hunters!
Title: Re: Chukar and hun
Post by: merkelman on December 16, 2015, 09:18:00 PM: Next days events...
Title: Re: Chukar and hun
Post by: T-Bone on December 17, 2015, 07:36:16 AM: Great photos with nice shotguns and good looking dogs…Thank you for sharing, merkelman.

Tom
Title: Re: Chukar and hun
Post by: daradke on December 18, 2015, 06:47:46 AM: Good job. I wish I could find birds like that

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Title: Re: Chukar and hun
Post by: joe_dumy on January 02, 2016, 10:50:22 AM: 2015 was a great year. Had a lot of great hunts with my kids and friends. Also meet so other great chukar hunters out there. My dog finally turned on and went from a bird busting non retrieving foot warmer to holding tight and a 200 yard retrieves. My kids suprised me this year with little complaints even in bad weather and hiking up to 13 miles in a day. They loved holding the birds and adding feathers to their hats. Got my first chukar double this year. Saw lots of great coutry. Kids found some opals, agatized petrified wood and a fist size Elensberg Blue. It was a great year for hunting this year is going to be even better. Me and my dog are slowly getting it.
Title: Re: Chukar and hun
Post by: bracer40 on January 02, 2016, 10:57:04 AM: Joe, great to see birds in the hands of your kids! Happy new year!
Title: Re: Chukar and hun
Post by: Birdguy on January 02, 2016, 11:00:56 AM: Joe, absolutely awesome pictures of success there...very cool!
Title: Re: Chukar and hun
Post by: merkelman on January 03, 2016, 08:05:55 AM: Nice, you look into those shooting glasses.
Title: Re: Chukar and hun
Post by: Alex4200 on January 03, 2016, 08:25:03 AM: Joe, great pictures. Looks like you have some happy kids there. Is that a red setter I see? I use to have a red setter that I hunted chukars with. I sure miss that dog. Where did you get your dog?
Title: Re: Chukar and hun
Post by: nwwanderer on January 03, 2016, 08:35:56 AM: Looks like the young man is hard on the natives (rough grouse). Good job
Title: Re: Chukar and hun
Post by: joe_dumy on January 03, 2016, 09:10:06 AM: Happy New Year Bracer. Hope you had a great season. I am pretty lucky I got a couple of kids that are as tough as chukar. They made all of these trips special.

Merkelman I did check into those glasses and the ones I want are just out of my reach . I plan on getting them for next year.

Alex she is a red setter from Berg Brothers Kennel. I really enjoyed the pasion that Ben and Scott have for bird dogs. I don't have much experience with bird dogs but she is as sweet as can be in the house and bird crazy in the field. Her pads are pretty good as she can go about 30 mile before getting raw. But that seems to be just about the same for us. The second day is usually a half day since we got to drive home thank goodness my legs say. Trying mushers magic, might have to put boots on next season. And trying to commit myself to working out everyday for next season . Probably wont so I will continue to be one fat chukar chaser.

Nwwanderer we love chasing grouse. We mostly grouse hunt on the wetside when we can't make to the right side. Most days I wonder if I am still sane. I mean all day busting brush, walking logging roads, creek bottoms and bogs. With all the pretty pokey stuff. Just to hear a grouse flush and not even see it. And we call it a great day. Seems crazy to most. But met a couple of friends that feel the same way. So I am thinking it's a disease. Mushrooms is a great bonus of grouse hunting.
Title: Re: Chukar and hun
Post by: joe_dumy on January 03, 2016, 09:44:11 AM: Oh ya almost forgot the meals are incredible if my wife cooks them. A hun and chukar wrapped in bacon baked and then the drippings in a cream of mushroom sauce with chantrels, butter, cream and whiskey.

As for ammo I roll my own. But have not found the secrete formula to make up for my crapy shooting. I shoot mostly 6s. But have some 5 1/2S and 6 1/2S nickle plated for next season.