Grouse

Well, the 2010 hunting season finally begun in Idaho. Because the weather was particularly cooperating I decided to try grouse hunting. I've shot a few grouse in the past, but they've been just incidentals while chukar hunting. Both days I went out were cool with a slight drizzle. The kind of days that just begs you to be outside.

The first day I went to one of my chukar spots where I had seen several blues in the past. Dakota and Riley didn't disappoint me, producing several points. Mainly chukars. There's twenty days left until the season on them opens. we saw a total of 18 blues and I believe some of them were off point but I can't say for sure because of the thick cover. All I know is that the dogs weren't moving and grouse came out of the brush presenting some good shooting. Riley loved retrieving them but Dakota wasn't quite sure he liked a bird of that size in his mouth.

On day two we decided to hit the timbered area for some ruffs. We found six throughout the day but never got a shot at one. Riley had no problem with pointing the ruffs but they were in such thick stuff that I never could get a clear shot. I had to get down on my knees to see the bird. Riley won't break point until I flush the bird so I had to throw something in and try and flush the bird. Along the way we found some blues that were more cooperative. They seem to be more obliging getting a little more room between them and the brush creating a safer shot.
All in all they were great outings. I can see where grouse hunting could get into your blood. But for me and my dogs, we'll still take chukar hunting over the grouse. This is just my personal observation, but I think grouse hunting is more of a flushing dog sport than a pointing dog.
The chukar season starts in two weeks and I hope the weather cooperates again. It's been 7 and 1/2 months since I fired a shot at a chukar and I am eagerly waiting. The time for worrying about the hatch and getting all of my equipment ready is over. The dogs are ready and I think we've done a good job of getting rid of bad habits. Grouse hunting was my pre season hunt and now I have two weeks to the chukar opener. Time to get my game face on.

Get ready

It's been about three weeks now, since I've been doing any reel hiking in the chukar hills. I've been a little under the weather and the heat has beaten me down. But todays forecast told me to get up early and head west. It's August 11th and we're having cooler temps, overcast skies and a possibility of rain. It all happened and Riley and I were out on the hill early. We both got wet and enjoyed every minute of it.
The day started with a busted covey of maybe twenty birds. They were at least eight weeks old and flying hard. Not long after that Riley pointed another covey. These birds were even more mature than the first group. I could see some of the bar feathers that the chukar is famous for. A very early hatch indeed. All in all I saw seven different chukar coveys that ranged from six or eight birds to as many as twenty per covey. The ages went from maybe a week old to 10 to 12 weeks old. This should show us all how adaptable the chukar can be to weather and other conditions. If you look hard you'll see a baby either under her or around her in each of these pictures.

Most of the pictures I took today weren't that impressive but this mama gave me plenty of shots while Riley was on point. When she finally flew there were probably 15 babies under her and around her. Those are great numbers for a late hatch.

Also, almost every seep or dried up seep had chukar droppings and/or feathers.
Boy am I getting stoked for the cooler damp weather. The area I was scouting was *^#"@?/$. Damn, this computer just won't spell that for some reason.  Hope everyone is having as much fun as me.

Having an opened mind

I was in Stanley Idaho recently visiting with some of my archery buddies. Although I don't hunt big game much any more it's still fun to go up to the state shoot and B.S. with some of the guys I used to shoot with. Some of them were darn good hunters fifteen or twenty years ago. We packed many elk out together. Most of the guys are in their early 60's now and getting elk are few and far between. There were several reasons they mentioned for their lack of success these days, but none of them were, "I just don't want to work that hard for an elk anymore."
The wolves are killing the elk, it's too hot in September now, too many people, fires, just no elk anymore, and many other excuses for their lack of success. Since I'm not out there chasing elk anymore I try and keep an open mind. Maybe the elk numbers are down.
But one statement made me wonder if that was the problem. One guy said "I'm glad nobody got an elk and ruined a good hunting trip." That statement was made a couple other times during the evening. They were referring to having to pack an animal out would ruin the trip. I admit, that can be some hard work, but it was part of the fun of it when I was younger. As I got older it became less fun and that is one of the reasons I took up chukar hunting. I asked a friend that I hunted with several times if he had been down to the "Thursday hole". That was a place in unit 36 you could always find bulls but if you didn't get your elk by Thursday there was no way you could get him out if you had to be home Sunday. I have never been in there when I didn't at least have a bull offer a shot. They all joked and said only a fool would go in there.
I understand that mind set. But the point I am getting at is, these older friends of mine are the ones saying there just aren't any elk anymore. They don't want to say "hey don't ask me, I spend most of my time in camp now enjoying the camaraderie." These are the people that have more time to complain to the fish and game or whomever because they are retired now and have nothing else to do. During hunting season, go to some of the local coffee shops and listen to the group of retired gentlemen talking about the way it used to be and how the fish and game have screwed it up. You don't see a bunch of young hard hunters sitting there. They are either at work or out hunting hard trying to find the game.
Don't hang me yet If you are over 60. I'm right there with you. The hills have gotten steeper for me also. But I refuse to say the opportunities aren't out there the same as twenty years ago. Yes, it might have changed some, but they're still out there.
What has this got to do with chukars? Since February 2010 we have been having a lot of discussions about chukar/hun numbers. Idaho fish and game commissioners put out a survey to sportsman to see how hunters felt about lowering the limit on these birds. Evidently the hunters felt like the numbers were bad enough to warrant lowering the limit. In 2011 chukar/hun limits will go down by two birds. I am trying to be open minded about this decision but it is hard to see the justification. As long as I can remember the limit has been 8 birds. There have been some great years and there have been some poor years, but the bird numbers have always seemed to stabilize without changing the limits.
I have been involved in a lot of discussions about this matter in the last six months. I have heard a lot of pros and cons. But once again I here the same old things from mainly people in my age group. "I used to see chukars here all the time, but I didn't see one chukar today when I DROVE down that road". One guy I occasionally chased chukars with has become a big Boise State football fan. I think that's great. He'd rather be at the tail gate party than out chasing birds. His reason. There just aren't any birds anymore. The real reason is tail gating is a lot easier and he doesn't want to admit the hills are getting harder to walk. Of course when he filled out the fish and game form he wanted to lower the limit so if he went out chukar hunting again it would be easier to obtain a limit. Plus he might get a limit without having to hike so long and hard.
The Upland Idaho forum has had several posts on this subject. I don't know the ages of most of the people on that site but I'm guessing they are of the younger generation. Most talk of seeing large number of birds, even though sometimes hard to get. They seem to be more willing to work with fish and game and see if we have a number problem and if there is something we can do about it. Some of the other forums want to beat up on the authorities rather than trying to solve the problem.
Here is another statement made by a hunter who believes the chukar number are at a catastrophic low. "I went to one of my favorite spots. When I got there it had been burned earlier in the year. We hunted it for about a half a mile and got up two covey of birds that flew away before we could get to them because the grass was so low. We just packed up and went home." How can you make a determination on bird numbers from that? I think when you have as strong of an opinion as he had than you should give a little more effort.
I'm sure by now many of you think that it is about numbers to me. It's not about numbers. It's about a reason to be out there. I am sorry I am not like most people and just enjoy the beauty of it all. I enjoy the beauty but I need more. I wish there was a shoot and release program for birds. I wish the dogs understood that a point and flush was good enough. I wish I felt that I would've hit that bird had I shot at it but I know my shooting ability is not always that good. There are days when  a four bird limit is hard to get. Those days would keep me out in the hills. There are days when a eight bird limit comes too soon and I wish it were twelve.
Bottom line is I hope the commissioners made their decision based on sound biologic evidence and not just by a survey. Surveys are usually filled out by people that have more time on there hands than others. The other point is, you younger guys, get involved and know what's happening. Don't take the word of us old farts and get out there and find out for yourselves. Let your young legs find what we can't get to. Idaho has lots of game and game birds. Get yourself a good dog and get out there and enjoy the resources we have.

getting older

I just got back from a scouting and dog training hike. A couple of things happened today to remind me that I am getting older. Nothing bad, but just reminders to me that before this hunting year is over I will be starting my seventh decade on earth.
First thing happened right out of the truck. Within 15 minutes I noticed that the hill seemed steeper. I've hiked this particular hill probably fifty times but it seemed steeper today. I thought to myself, " I might not be hunting as far this year as I have in the past." But before long I was as far up the mountain as I had ever been. Somewhere along the trip I had gotten my second wind and was hitting the mountain just as usual. That first half hour or so is a warm up period for us older folks. It takes a lot longer to get the mechanism lubed for the hunt. But the good news is, once lubed it works as good as ever. In fact I walk further now on a trip than I did when I was thirty or forty. Once I get over that first hump I feel like I could go on all day. So to steal a phrase from the cowboys, us older chukar hunters need to CHUKAR UP for that first hour or so. It gets better after that.
Just before the end of the trip, Riley, my shorthair, let out a war hoop like he was having a confrontation with something. Of course I start thinking the worst. Coyote, porcupine, snake, cougar. All of which I have seen in this area before. I yell and whistle for Riley as I head in his direction. He meets me half way. Looking him over, I find nothing different about him. No bite marks, scratches, or sign of a fight. We get to the area where it happened and Riley runs around looking through all of the rock crevices like he is looking for the culprit. The only thing I can imagine that happened is he got bit by a rock chuck. There are a lot of them in this area and I assumed he tried to grab one and it got him on the lip instead. This little episode made me realize how age has slowed me down. Years ago I would have been on the sprint to Riley. Today I was lucky to be at a jogging pace. At thirty or forty years old I always felt that whatever I encountered I could kick it's tail. Daniel Boone, who killed a bear with a bowie knife, was no tougher and quicker than me. Now, I'd be lucky to move out of the bears way. The quickness and agility is gone. Times when you would trip on the hill going down and do a gainer but still land on your feet our gone. Now I just get to the ground as fast as I can knowing the farther I go the more it's gonna hurt.
Age has it's price. The price is lack of mobility to make the shot or stop a bruise making fall. You have to suffer a little more when you start up the hill waiting for all your joints to start working correctly. Your reflexes have slowed so that bird that takes off behind you won't be getting any lead flying it's way. Your wife laughs at you when you try to roll out of your truck at the end of a long day of hunting. She criticizes you for not acting your age because it takes five minutes to straighten up after your two hour drive home.
But age also has it's rewards. You've been up these hills enough times to know the best route. Let the young guy slip and fall on all those rocky canyons. You already know the rewards that await you once you've got past that lubing in process. Reflexes aren't as important as they use to be. You've trained plenty of good dogs in the past and you know they will show you where the birds are. Those that the dog doesn't point don't deserve the cost of the lead shot. If you play it right, you might be able to work a back rub out of the spouse. Most of all, at the end of the day, you sit on your recliner, dog at your side, cold drink in your hand, and reminisce the great day you had. If your really lucky, you and your canine partner can start planning on tomorrows hunt while your wife is calling you an old fool.

The way things are

Summertime is now upon us in a hot way. Most people's behaviors change some when it comes to the hot weather. I'm not a huge water person and the heat seems to slow me down some. So I do what I can to make the most of this time of the year. I spend a lot of time at the pond, throwing sticks for my dogs to retrieve and exercising them. I also spend a lot of time in the higher mountains where the temperatures aren't quite as extreme.

Yesterday, I was on a relaxing hike with the dogs and doing a lot of reminiscing. While the dogs were swimming in a mountain lake, I thought back to the many big game hunts I had been on in these and surrounding mountains. There is no doubt that was a big time in my life. I couldn't wait to get up there with my bow and chase animals as far as my legs would go. 1978 was my first year to hunt with a bow and I shot my first bear three months after I took archery up.

As time went on I became addicted to archery and set a goal to shoot a species of everything possible. Through the years I was fortunate enough to harvest 46 big game animals. I never got the elusive 320 or better elk but I was lucky enough to get a 185 mule deer buck. I was scouting or hunting every moment I could muster up that wasn't taking time away from my family or work.

Luckily for me, my family accompanied me on many of these hunts. I bird hunted and had some good dogs but that wasn't my primary goal. It was big game and it had to be taken with a bow. I even wanted to get a coyote and bobcat.

I put in many extra hours so I could afford to have some taxidermy work done. The work was beautiful and looked great on my walls. They are great conversation pieces and I've spent many hours of reliving the hunts.

Six of my animals would make the Pope and Young club. I know to many, trophy hunting, the same as the numbers game when it comes to bird hunting, turns them off. I can respect those views even though mine might differ a little.

In 1997 things started changing. As I mentioned I had a hunting dog, but he had to share his time with big game hunting. In fact the big game hunting got the better side of this. Rookie was my Brittany, and was a good dog, especially for the lack of time I devoted to him.                                                                     

1996 was the year of my first GSP, Tucker. By 1997 he was a permanent feature at my side. During training and hunting trips he continued to amaze me. I didn't see it coming, but with help from one of my hunting partners, Greg Allen, times were about to change. All of the sudden I couldn't wait for elk season to be over so I could be out chasing chukars with Tucker. By the year 2000 I stopped hunting big game on opening day of chukar season and by 2003 I started spending every free day with my shorthairs.

I've been a very fortunate person throughout life. A great wife, two successful and great kids along with their spouses, four wonderful grandchildren and a host of great hunting dogs and friends. You can't ask for much more happiness than I have had. Sometimes I feel guilty that my priorities haven't been in the right place and then something comes along to open my eyes. In the last year and a half I have had three losses in my life. My father, my best friend (who was also a chukar hunter), and my number one dog. They all had such a positive impact on my life.                                                                                                                                     

Today I picked up a chukar mount for Teresa, the widow of my deceased friend, . They were two of the birds Jeff shot two years ago while we were hunting together. I wanted some pictures of the mount before I took it to Teresa. So I hung it above the fireplace and snapped some shots. The chukar mount was wonderful and it looked great above the fireplace. I looked around at my big game mounts and all of the sudden they had lost their impact. None of them had the meaning of the birds over the fireplace. The chukars had taken over the room.

These birds will soon be going to Teresa's house, but this fall there will be some chukars that will meet the same fate. When they are placed above the fireplace the big game mounts will be moved to the basement. Not because I enjoyed getting them any less than I do the chukars but because that is where I am now. Me, the dogs and the birds. I don't know what's going to happen in the future. Will I keep getting another hunting dog and chase chukars? I might take up fishing or maybe even go back to big game hunting.

Nobody knows the future. Loosing three friends, and especially one before his time, has taught me to live life to it's fullest. Besides my family, what makes my life as full as it possibly can be is chasing chukars with my dogs. For me, that's just the way things are.

Turkey hunting

During the heart of spring there is a short time period I find it hard to work the dogs. The chukars are nesting and if I try the higher timber areas to walk, there is still several feet of snow in places. I still exercise the dogs as much as possible but spend a little more time by myself in the hills. Although it is not quite the thrill I find with chukar hunting it has a lot of great merits.
The biggest difference between turkey hunting and chukar hunting, besides being with the dogs, is action. With chukar hunting there can be action at any moment, while turkey hunting has lots of down time when you are just walking from point a to point b. Sometimes you get a bird going and end up sitting against a tree for two to three hours waiting for the bird to finally make a mistake. Sometimes you walk all day and don't even hear a bird. There are days chukar hunting when you might not get a bird, but you still get to watch the dog work.

Turkey hunting has it's rewards. There is a lot more to it than just shooting a bird. The weather is usually pretty good which gives you time to sit and just reminisce. The other animals you encounter in the spring are also a plus. Turkeys seem to like the same type of environment as elk in the spring. There are also multiple grouse mating this time of the year.

Coyotes are protecting there young this time of the year. and will do whatever it takes to draw you away from their den. The mule deer buck are already starting to grow their antlers.

The abundance of wildlife this time of the year is amazing. The melody of spring sounds is equally as amazing. Especially the first thing in the morning. I usually walk in to my destination in the dark hours to be able to locate a gobbling turkey. Most of the time, the first sound I hear is that of an owl. Many times that will be followed by a gobble from a tom turkey. As dawn approaches, the sound of robins are everywhere. Before long, the California quail start calling to one an other and a distant chukar is announcing the sunrise. There is a drumming sound coming from the grouse and geese are honking from a near by pond. Once in a while, if the noise from the birds is not to great, you can actually hear a turkey fly down from his roost. Those sounds alone are enough to get me out on a spring morning.
Just like in chukar hunting, the harvest is the important factor. It's more how you got to the harvest that matters. When the action is happening, it can be hair raising. Every time the turkey returns a gobble to your call it sends a shiver up your back. Hearing him spitting and drumming makes it almost impossible to sit still. When the turkey finally appears at 50 yards with a full fan displaying you have to remind yourself to be calm. He needs to be at least 10 yards closer, and 30 yards closer would even be better. Fifteen minutes later, and 30 gobbles later, you begin to wonder what is going wrong. Finally, he stops his pacing back and fourth and starts towards you. You have put your gun on your lap because it was getting heavy. Now you must slowly raise the gun in his direction. Any fast movement will send him back where he came from. He is finally at 25 yards and you have the front bead on his red head. You have kept your cool up to now so don't blow it by peaking over the barrel. Keep your head down on the gun. One more quick yelp from your diaphragm and the turkey lifts his head. As the report of the shotgun dies so does the turkey. His flapping wings hitting the ground sound like thunder announcing his death. As you heft your bird and look at his beard you notice your heartbeat finally slowing down. What a great time you have just had and what a good accomplishment.
Then it dawns on you. I'm done for the day. I can get another bird this season, but not today. Hopefully this will happen one more time this year. As much as I enjoy turkey hunting, that is why chukar hunting is my favorite. I get that same thrill each time one of my dogs go on point and if I am successful at the shot, I can do it 7 more times that day and than start all over tomorrow. I can do that each and every day of the season as long as my legs and lungs will last.

But there are pros and cons to everything. Turkey hunting is much easier to do with people than chukar hunting is. When you are chukar hunting you have to keep up with your dog, which isn't easy for everyone. Chukar hunting can be difficult shooting situations, where turkey hunting is a lot more controlled. So for that reason I have been blessed with the companionship of my family and many others. I do wish they could all enjoy the chukar hunting with me. But the chukar hunting pace sometimes scares people away. I have never seen anything but awe from those who have turkey hunted with me. They are struck by the sounds and sights of the spring morning. I don't know if they are excited about the gobbling toms because I can't contain myself or whether it excites them as well. Either way there is a lot of exuberance as the turkey appears. Barbara and I doubled opening day five years ago. What a grand day that was.

And we always have a great camp up north with plenty of fun camping and turkey action. There is always a good story around the camp to be heard.

My son has been successful more than once with us.

As has been my brother Tom.

And my chukar hunting buddy Greg.

All in all since my first turkey several years ago and Barbs first, we have made turkey hunting a great family and group outing. It's a great way to spend time int the spring outdoors. Even though we have to leave the boys in the camper while we hunt.

times change

Lately, Ive been hearing a lot of talk about the low numbers of chukars lately. Mostly, people are saying that it's not like it was twenty years ago. In order to know that, you had to be hunting twenty years ago. In my case I'm fortunate enough to say I remember what it was like hunting forty plus years ago. I agree, it's not like it was back than. But as far as game numbers, especially chukars, the numbers are as good now as ever. Pheasant may have taken a beating due to farming practices, but most other bird numbers are good.
I don't care for a lot of the changes that have happened over my life time, but if I want to be successful I have to adapt. The same goes for chukar hunting. More roads, more hunters, different uses of the land and many other influences have changed the habits of birds.
A perfect example of this is watering troughs or springs. Ranchers have developed watering areas for there cattle several miles away from roads to keep their stock from having to walk miles to water. The only water available at one time was probably closer to a road. Wildlife found this same resource much more likable then the water where everyone drives by.
Another example is fire. Over the past forty years there have been fires that change the landscape. Places that at one time were covered with sage may now be a mountain of cheat grass. Places where the cheat may have been, may have burned so hot the ground may be sterile for a few years. The wildlife had to vacate this area to a place more rich in food.
There are numerous reasons for change in wildlife habitat. The animals evolve with these changes. But we humans seem to find it harder to change. I remember forty five years ago fishing with my dad at lucky peak reservoir. It was nothing to see a hundred deer or more coming to the water for a drink. Ten years ago I fished the same place with dad and he complained that there were not deer like there use to be. Dad, being old and stubborn, wouldn't concede that it might be because there were five hundred cars a day traveling that road where forty five years ago we might not even see another rig.
So many of the people that complain about the low number of birds are people in my age group or older. I understand the feeling. But, my complaint isn't that the number of birds has declined, it's that it's getting harder. I'd like to believe that the hills have actually gotten steeper, but they haven't. It's not twice as far into that great chukar draw, it just seems it. Many times it is easier to lay the blame on something else. As we get older and things change it becomes easier to lay blame on lack of birds rather than that we have to work harder for them.
Sometimes I feel the same. I know that the chukars are on top of that ridge but my legs just won't carry me there. Because they are not where I am at doesn't mean a lack of birds. It means I am to worn out to get to them.
I often hear that we are losing the younger generation of hunters. Could one of the reasons for this be the message we are sending them? Instead of saying there aren't birds like there use to be we should be encouraging them to get out there and find them. There are plenty of chukars to be had if you don't mind getting out and finding them. If I was a new hunter and I kept hearing from my mentors that there just aren't any birds out there, I don't think I could get very enthused.
And last, I'm so grateful that there are plenty of chukars and huns out there to pursue. I still have a passion for this type of hunting. This is what helps me stay young. I plan on following my dogs after these birds for another twenty years. But when my time comes up, I don't want to be one of those who blame it on the lack of bird numbers. I will admit that they have finally worn these old legs down.
So, to you young chukar hunters. Don't listen to us old farts complaining. Train a good dog, grab your shotgun, put lots of shells in your vest, and head for the mountain. There are plenty of chukar to be had. All you need is a good dog and enthusiasm. Good luck.

Tucker

Tucker was a great companion in my life, I was reminiscing over our times together and thought I'd share some of the photos. I wish I would have taken pictures of him as a puppy. He was amazing. I remember him pointing and holding quail at 10 weeks old. He retrieved the only pheasant I ever shot over him and had to drag it back because he couldn't get the whole bird in his mouth. Tucker was a self trainer. I hope I was as easy to train for him as he was for me.

Tucker was a member of the family the day I picked him up from the breeder. He bonded and became an irreplacable member of the family as soon as I carried him in  the front door of his new home.

Tucker went everywhere with me. He loved camping and hiking during the off season.

At times he even shared a beer with me.

He was a pointing fool and would hold birds forever as long as he knew I was there. But if he wasn't sure I was coming he had a special talent of backing off the point, coming back to locate me, making eye contact, and than returning to the scene. The birds were usually still there, producing several limits over the years.

During his fourteen years of hunting he produced over 4,000 chukars/huns with countless limits to his credit.

He was quite a team player. He never cut off another dog's point and most dog's knew better than to cut off his. He was always top dog around the camp but never minded sharing a limit of birds. Honoring was natural for him and the dogs he trained.

Several Team limits were accomplished. Especially with Dakota. Team Tuckota always seemed to produce. 

But after the hunt Tucker knew how to rest.

Every once in a while I shot well enough to give the boys a chance at a team retrieve, although I don't shoot that way often.

During the off season Tucker points a Turkey for me.

He was a good father to Dakota and a great step father to Riley. He quite often had to show them the rules but soon afterwards they were ready to follow his lead.

Time finally caught up with Tucker. Both sadly and fortunately his inactive time was short. He lived only three months past his last hunt. I would have loved to have him on the couch next to me for several years. He deserved that. But I don't think that was what he wanted. He felt he was needed more hunting with my good friend Jeff, who died 7 months earlier in a tragic car accident. I'm sure the two of them are scouting hunting areas for me, when it is time I should join them.

I will always remember that last limit we produced at 13 years of age. Man we worked together good as a team. You always seemed to know how to make me successful. I looked  like I knew what I was doing because of you. Tucker, thank you for making me a better hunter and person.

What a thrill it was to have Barbara take us on our last hunt together and watch you retrieve your last bird. You  finished in style , just like you came into my life.