Chukar count?

bakerboy · May 18, 2008

Anyone have any predictions on how the chukar made it through the winter and how their hatch will be this spring in Oregon/Idaho? Just wondering if anyone else is curious about this topic.

Shummy · May 22, 2008

Depends on the spring weather and so far it's to early to tell.

Califelkslayer · May 27, 2008

I'm very curious. I was out in the desert this past weekend riding quads. Grasses were 14-18 inches, green and we were getting more rain. I think the hatch will be great, just don't know how much broodstock is left after last years poor hatch and the snow.

huntindude · Jun 24, 2008

Numbers were down bad where I hunt on the Snake River last year and according to ODFW we lost up to 70% of those birds last winter. if that's correct then we'll need a good hatch just to find birds at all.

I'm guessing they are just now hatching since I haven't seen and baby quail or pheasant yet. hope for nice weather and what birds there are should do well.

in2chukar · Jun 26, 2008

Between the high gas prices and the kids playing baseball I haven't had time to do much in the hills.

I suspect another bad year for chukar numbers. The spring has been good, I just think the numbers will take a few years to bounce back.

Califelkslayer · Jul 22, 2008

Anybody been in the desert?? Deer around here just dropped, swear I saw a wet fawn Sun while wood cutting. Lots of quail pairs without chicks yet but the few broods I've seen are large, 12+. Anybody got info on the chukar hatch yet???

NORKALNIMROD · Aug 3, 2008

Hunter,
We did a 40 mile ride last week. Started at Robber's Roost, headed towards Twinn Pks, back over towards Mule, out to Smoke Cr. Desert and back. Checked several springs. Three of them that niether Rick or I have ever seen dry were. Saw a few birds, no youngsters. Been seeing a gang of Quail with large hatches here at the house, out in the valley and out in the desert. Wish I had better news!
Norkal

huntindude · Aug 7, 2008

I talked to ODFW in Baker ( OR ) and they said brood counts were very good, but as expected not as many broods as normal. a good hatch on a poor carry over means about the same as last year they figure which wasn't too great. the good part is chuckar seldom live to be 3 years old and our survivors were getting there, but now we have some younger stock to breed next year.

treedagain · Aug 12, 2008

while scouting for elk in eastern nevada I found a couple hundred in one valley, chicks and adults.

Califelkslayer · Sep 1, 2008

During my Nevada Antelope hunt I saw plenty of chukar. Most were a pair of adults with 7-10 youngsters. My prediction is the numbers will be down from normal, but far better than last year in Kali and Western Nv. Lots of youngsters means multiple raises per covey found. That wasn't very common last year when we were huntin survivors from the previous year. Good luck all!!

in2chukar · Sep 6, 2008

Idaho Fish and Game did their annual chukar count and the numbers are even lower than last year.

Looks like I will be visiting the inlaws down in Nevada this fall.

Califelkslayer · Sep 8, 2008

Lets compare notes after our respective openers.

bakerboy · Oct 28, 2008

Lets hear it boys. How has the season been treating everyone. Especially in Oregon and Idaho? I have hunted on the Brownlee and have ran into a few birds, it seems better than last year but we will see.