reflections of my 2009-10 chukar season

LAST EDITED ON Feb-19-10 AT 12:19PM (MST)[p]LAST EDITED ON Feb-19-10 AT 12:18?PM (MST)

This was by far the best chukar season that I've ever had. I'll get the secondary part out of the way first. I saw a lot of birds and I killed more than in any other season, but, like I said that is secondary.
I spent a lot of time out in the hills with a great friend and I met a few new friends. I would like to think that I helped introduce a new comer into the sport as well. He now has a dog of his own and last I checked, he was looking in a therapist, which any die hard chukar hunter has on speed dial! That was really important to me and it is truley what made my season a success. I'm not sure how many days I spent afield this upland season but it was upwards of 40.
I watched two pups really come into their own to the point where they have now started field trialing, something that I didn't even consider when I bought these pups, although they certainly had the breeding for it. I'm very confident that these two dogs will become a force to be reckoned with!
My wife spent a few days out with me and that was great. It is truly a wonderful feeling to know that you have found a life partner that shares the same love of the outdoors that you do, and supports a habit that borders on obsessive compulsive.
If any of you ever get into my neck of the woods, I would love to put the dogs on the ground and share a day outdoors with you!

Congrats on the season..I've been out of the game fo ra few years. Put down my best and last dog last October (he'd been retired for a few years). I have kinda lost the drive, but still have the desire for a new pup now and then.

Watch your newly introduced chukar hunter..If its anything like my experience, it turns out like this:

A guy goes hunting with me several times, has nothing but praise for my dogs, cant believe the success.

Wants his own dog..gets it, makes a half assed attempt at training, dog sits in kennel for 11 months out of the year, hunter cant seem to find the time to get out, then the holy grail of pheasant season rolls around..hunter complains dog is worthless, it goes back in the kennel...repeat next year.

I hate seeing this, and as such will normally only hunt with guys that have been doing it awhile.

hope it turns out better for you.

We got the gentleman a pre-trained dog from Kenny Glascock at Lost Arrow Gundogs. So far so good, he has tagged along on almost every hunt since he brought the dog home.

I wish I lived closer to some good chukar hunting. Pheasant is very poor. Quail is pretty good though. My dog is coming along great. I had to take the last part of the season off because she was pregnant. I now have 8 little furballs I gotta find homes for.


NO GUTS, NO STORY!!

Shummy, Really glad you had a fulfillin season. This was probably my top too. All because of the pup, and my ability to stick with my plan. @ 8 months he was a little timid. I told myself "No electronic collar" til he's at least one. Times of frustration, almost daily. But he had great instint, a fantastic nose and held points a long time from distance. As the season progressed, he ranged farther and farther and I got more frustrated. Even when birds busted wild or I couldn't find him, we'd get into the next covey in a matter of minutes due to the number of birds.

The last weekend, after his birthday, he got introduced to the collar. Learned quickly and now he's turned with a tone as he gets ready to disappear from sight.

My chukar huntin style is the only time I talk to the dog is to tell em to hunt dead or praise them as they give me a bird. No whistle either. We make as little noise as possible and I believe it pays off ten-fold later in the season.

Good luck next season.

I had an OK season, not anywhere close to a few years ago but better than the last 2 here in Oregon. not too bad of a winter, if the nesting season goes well I hope for a year a little better . it will take several years if ever to build up to what we had 5 years ago, that was unreal.