Wild Chukar hunting can be tough in Nevada but for a reason you may not suspect…

That’s what I’ll tell anyone who is going to hunt wild chukar in Nevada with dogs in the hills & mountains.  Why is it tough?  Because you need to be in top physical condition.  I learned that a few years ago the hard way.

I thought I was in great condition only to find out that flat land or even gentle hill walk in hunting is not proof of great conditioning.  I found the method of hunting with my pointing dog in early January near Winnemucca was very challenging.

Not only did we climb thousand feet plus hills once but we did it repeatedly all day every day for 3 straight days.  Up the north face followed my moments of wild flushes and pointing followed by the downhill walk to find those birds that flew to the bottom, as they almost always did.  Then back up another north face.  

The north face approach was needed on our hunt as it was very cold with recent heavy snow.  The Chukar were on the high south slopes eating cheat grass and sunning in newly formed bare spots melting away by the southern winter sun.  Our northern ascent to hunt them ‘top downward’ was pure He**.  Deep drifts with high knee action while slowly working my way up the north slopes made my thighs and calves burn and cramp.

My recommendation when hunting chukar with this method is to work out on a stair-stepper machine at your local health club a minimum of 2 to 3 times per week for at least a month assuming you are in good physical condition before you start your work out program.  Longer if not, consult a doctor…seriously.

Was it worth it?  Yeah.  The saying they have up there is that your first chukar partridge hunt is for fun, your second is for revenge…I’ll second that!  I must say the the chukar partridge is probably the best table fare among ALL the North American (native or imported) game birds.

The dog work was excellent and the hunting lands were public which makes for a good reason to try it out.  We also found huns and pheasant down low.  There were tons of california quail down low.

BLM is land paid for & maintained with your tax dollars, try it out and I think you’ll have a good time.  A good time will only be had IF you get you and your dog into good, no, great physical condition prior to going!

Give your dog a treat for me and tell ‘em “Dave says good dog!”

Dave