Big Covey’s

The Idaho opener was almost three weeks ago and I’ve been getting a lot of questions of what I’ve been seeing out there in chukar country.

I’ve been on three short hunts and the best way to describe the bird numbers is big covey’s. I’m not saying there are chukars everywhere, but when we found them, the covey’s were larger than normal. And a plus added to that is that I haven’t seen any of those immature birds. The few I have taken have been juvenile birds but pretty undistinguishable from adult birds.

The most positive note from me was our first hunt and first covey find of the season. As you know, Jake is now on his 12th season and slowed quite considerable. When my Alpha said Jake was on point 120 yards away I was surprised that he was that far from me. When I finally saw him he was sitting but definitely on point. His hips are failing him but he still did what he was supposed to do. The closer I got, I could see chukars trying to sneak away through the brush. Jake didn’t move. At the flush of somewhere around fifty birds, I fired my ash filled shell at the best target and dropped the bird. As Jake ran to retrieve the bird, singles kept getting up and Jake started yipping at them like a first year pup would. He brought the chukar back to me and I wished I would have had my camera. Like me, he is aging but still has the will to be there.

I’ve gotten a few more birds since than but I have to admit to not really hitting the hills like I’d like. It’s been really hot for me and the dogs and our hunts have been cut to just a couple of hours before we’re burnt out, out of water and looking for shade. I like that feeling of making it to the furtherest hill I can see but this heat and dryness has knocked that will out of me and the dogs.

With that being said, I have to address the other question I see on a few other chukar blogs. Some wish they would change the Idaho opener to later, like in Oregon and Nevada. I’m not one who agrees with that. Usually, we get a few days of cool and damp weather in later September and it sure feels great to be able to get out with the dogs. As I age, I’d much rather be out chasing my dogs in late September than late January when I can’t negotiate the mountain because of the steep icy slopes. Even though the birds may be more concentrated on sunny slopes. Some hunters even suggest adding a couple of weeks to the end of the season and taking the early opening out.

Idaho has a great season in my opinion. If you don’t like the heat or the possibility of seeing a rattler, you don’t have to be out there, just the same as I don’t have to be out there in the mud and the ice if I don’t care for it.

As far as shooting juvenile birds early in the season. The young birds are very distinguishable from the mature birds and you don’t have to pull the trigger. Most of us are out there for the dogs. They don’t care if you pull the trigger or not. They are just happy to be out there after the long winter lay off. From pictures I have seen posted I haven’t seen many immature birds in them.

It’s going to be a fantastic chukar year. I believe maybe the best since 2015 and possibly back to 2005. If you look at my game bag so far this season you wouldn’t think that but it’s a choice I’ve made. Not because the birds aren’t there. Maybe it’s because I’m becoming a bigger puss but the heat and dryness has whipped me on the hill so far this year. I’m looking forward to some moisture and a cloud covered cooler day to see how far I can go up those chukar hills and find those chukar honey holes.

Get out there. It’s going to be a rewarding year for those canine pals of yours.