Chukars that flush but are not shot are somewhat predictable in that they will often maintain the same elevation from which they initially flushed. (Photo by Gary Lewis)
January 27, 2025
By Gary Lewis
Lee was on the high side, Tim was in the middle because we were hunting over his dogs and I was on the slope below when the dogs pointed. Suddenly, chukars took off from spots where there had seemingly been no birds a moment before.
Pick one out, I told myself. Swing, squeeze, boom. Keep swinging. Boom. A bird tumbled. Two spent hulls popped out and I slapped two more from my vest, plunked them in the steel tubes and locked the gun shut in time to see one more bird cross like a rocket. Got him.
Every time we bumped birds on that hunt they swung ahead, going to ground somewhere close to the same elevation at which we had found them
. Before long, I figured out Tim’s strategy. All those birds were kegging up in the last canyon we were going to hunt, and every step took us closer. At the end, footsore and tired, we hooked around the point and the birds began to pop up and out in front of Lee and Tim.
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The plan worked to perfection. Chukars burst out of the sagebrush like seeds blown from thistle. Frozen in my memory against the winter sky, the belly feathers and bars on their breasts backlit by the sun.
HUNT THE PLAN On our final chukar hunt last season we bumped the same covey three times, and that was great. What is better is bumping more than one covey and bumping them toward a box canyon.
This is why it pays to learn how to read topo maps. Lay a topo on the table the night before. Lay it on the hood of the truck in the morning. Plan the hunt. Hunt the plan. If there is a box canyon on your hunting grounds, the birds will spend part of their time there because such places offer escape cover from storms, hawks and bobcats.
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Mark the spots where you have bumped coveys in the past. When they flushed, where did the birds go? Some broke one way and some another, of course, but one thing you can count on is for chukars to behave like other chukars.
One of the general rules of chukar hunting is that once you have found a covey, you will most likely find other chukars at the same elevation and on the same side of the slope, as they all are responding to what the weather has thrown at them on that given day. Knowing this helps you to adhere to one of the maxims of the chukar hunter: Never give up elevation once you’ve gained it.
Knowing the roost areas and where they go for water, it’s not hard to figure out that they will be somewhere between those two areas throughout the day. Chukars will be close to their roost early in the morning and later in the evening, and near water during the warmer midday hours.
Across the West, chukar populations fluctuate due to the whims of weather, predation and pressure. Some river canyons offer birds temperate climes, even in winter. (Photo by Gary Lewis) On a good day, you might bump up to a half-dozen coveys, or bump into the same covey multiple times. Work the prevailing wind patterns to push the birds toward their escape cover, then back off and try to bump more birds into the same cover.
WEATHER OR NOT All the factors are in play. The same coveys you hunted early in the season are still in the general area but have probably moved to the opposite slope or a different elevation. In cold weather they need to seek sunshine on southeast-facing slopes.
Not only will the thermals help chukar withstand extreme cold, but they have a better chance foraging for food on slopes that receive the most sunshine in winter. Keep in mind, chukars will adjust their habits based on what the day throws their way. If it’s pouring rain or snowing, they will seek the cover of rocky cliffs and overhangs, spots where they can hunker down and wait out the weather.
If you hit the slopes and climb to a ridgetop that hunted well the week before in the green-up, but now there is a 30-mph wind, check the back side of that area and specifically some of the smaller finger draws, as the birds will move to these locations to get out of the wind.
A lot of times we bump a covey before we get in position to shoot. It’s part of the game, but the end goal is to push multiple coveys into a box canyon and get one spectacular flush when all the shooters are in position.
BIRDS IN THE BOX The hunt ends in the dead-end canyon. If all things are equal, the best bet is to walk down on the chukars from above. If at least one person in the group circles down below the level you think the birds are at, so much the better. The birds want to run uphill or fly downhill. If the dog is pointing birds below, they will flush downhill. Get a hunter between the chukars and their escape route. To get around, the birds will have to tower or fly sidehill, both of which make for better shooting.
CHUKAR GEAR Top picks for better bird hunting
ALPS Outdoorz Upland Game Vest X 2.0 Photo courtesy of Alps Outdoorz The Alps Outdoors Upland Game Vest X 2.0 sports expandable and removable waist belt features up to 30 inches of adjustment. Redesigned, structured shell pockets, with one-hand magnetic opening and closure, double as gun rests. The game pocket has 16 inches of adjustment, while two elastic water bottle sleeves, a 17-inch rear storage compartment and a felt-lined valuables pocket keep the rest of your gear organized. ($199.99; alpsoutdoorz.com)
Coast RL35R Photo courtesy of Coast A headlamp is supposed to be hands-free, and this 1,100-lumen lamp is more hands-free than most. Adjust the output intensity, light color and beam type with intuitive, whisper-sensitive voice commands. A rechargeable battery provides up to 14 hours of use. ($99.99; coastportland.com)
Danner Pronghorn Photo courtesy of Danner The fifth generation of the venerable Pronghorn is built on Danner’s Terra Force Next platform, including a proprietary Vibram sole, for all-day comfort. A Gore-Tex waterproof membrane and PrimaLoft insulation (400, 800 or 1,200 grams) keep feet dry and warm. ($270-$300; danner.com)
Kent Ultimate FastLead Photo courtesy of Kent Cartridge This load boasts high-end components from brass to crimp, including a high-performance base and premium wad with a blended double-base powder and Kent’s proprietary Diamond Shot. Kent advertises a muzzle velocity of 1,345 fps for the 2 3/4-inch, 1 1/4-ounce 12-gauge load. ($23.99-$33.99/25 rounds; kentcartridge.com)
This article was featured in the December/January 2025 issue of Game & Fish magazine. Click to subscribe .
