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My first chukar hunt
Humbled and betrayed by my dopey dog
As a biologist, most of my interaction with wildlife has been limited to tadpoles — at least until last year. In January, I decided to try hunting for the first time. I wrapped up my last Hunter Education course and asked a coworker, John, if I could go chukar hunting with him over the weekend.
Duncan is sweet but kind of goofy, and he sold me out for a pair of yellow labs.
I brought my golden retriever, Duncan, hoping he still had some genetic remnants of “birding” in him. That part didn’t work out so well. Duncan quickly abandoned me to hang out with John and his two dogs. I hardly saw him the rest of the day (good-for-nothin’ mutt).
I learned later that John flushed and shot a chukar about 20 minutes after we split up. And Duncan’s hunting instincts are apparently intact. He jumped right in with the experienced dogs to retrieve the bird. I really wish I’d seen it!
Chukars are partridges. They have distinctive striping on their sides and live in steep, very rocky terrain.
I actually saw a chukar on that trip. It flew up behind me and rocketed past my head. At the time, I was scrambling over icy boulders — shotgun slung over my shoulder — focused on safety pointers and random thoughts:
- Don’t accidentally shoot John.
- Don’t shoot John’s dogs.
- When am I going to see a chukar?
- Don’t shoot Duncan.
(Yes, I did think them in that order.) The rest of the day, I held my shotgun in front of me with both hands. I was ready for another opportunity, but it never came. I hiked until I was sore and gave Duncan an earful on the way home. He knows me too well, though, and shrugged it off. Next time — with sufficient canine bribery — I just might have better luck!
March 3, 2009 at 11:38 am
this is great!! At least Duncan can retrieve! Our pointer can find any chukar in a 5 mile radius, but refuses to retrieve them – damn dog…wait a minute…between Duncan and Trooper, it may be possible to have one solid hunting dog. Ha.
P.S. I am glad there were no “Cheney” like incidents in your first hunt!
March 3, 2009 at 7:58 pm
Sparky would run away… with the bird, because he’s a thieving rascal. Then I would shoot him. We’re both really glad I don’t have a gun.
March 5, 2009 at 5:16 pm
I’ve never seen a chukar. I’ll confess I’ve never even heard of them until reading your story here, Carmen. It surely is a beautiful bird. Thank you for sharing the photos. I do hope to see one someday. The question that comes to my mind is what would possess anyone in their right mind to want to shoot and kill birds? I’m with Duncan. I don’t understand the “birding” concept. I thought it was done with binoculars.
March 10, 2009 at 9:05 am
Since I’ve worked in Wildlife Resources I’ve developed a great respect for hunting and have a desire to collect my own dinner. I am a carnivore but have never “taken the responsibility” of hunting, dispatching, and cleaning the meat I so love to consume. I do love to hike and watch wildlife… so, hiking with a shotgun was a new experience for this biologist!
March 27, 2009 at 1:48 pm
Great Story – and not unusual for a first Chukar hunt.
If you keep at it, they become a passion. Not for what you harvest, but for the beauty, solitude, and ruggedness of their habitat, and for the bonds you form with your dog.
Welcome to the society (fraternity & sorority)……….
P.S. Chukar hunting is also superb aerobic exercise – highly recommended for all.
September 19, 2009 at 8:50 am
when i first started hunting chukar a friend told me the first time you hunt chukars its for fun. every time after that its for revenge.
I think there is a little truth in that statement for anyone who has hunted them. and run up a hill that man was not meant to be on, just to have them fly down, run, hide, and laugh at you.
November 6, 2009 at 12:10 am
I love to hear your stories. I also have learned to love hunting and since we did not go deer hunting this year we have done one chukar hunt trip so far. We love it….me more than my husband. We have three dogs, two wiredhaired pointers and one shorthaired pointer. They are all adopted and I take pride in training my dogs for bird on our walks in the neighborhood. We live in Las Vegas but got about 1 1/2 hour from here near Elgin, Nv. Please tell us more, all of you.
Denise, Ceasar, Ike, Brandy..and oh yea my hubby David