Final thoughts

I have readers from 11 different states that I know of who are interested in what the chukar forecast looks like. Us Idahoan’s are already here and are going to hunt the birds no matter what. But we don’t have to spend those hard earned dollars for a one or two week hunt in the great state of Idaho and then be discouraged because there were no birds. This report is for them.

Understand this is just from what I have seen and some reports from other chukar fanatics in the state. I’ve been trying hard to get some video’s of chukars but between my unwillingness to hit the hill in the heat and Grady’s ability to bump birds this year we haven’t been too successful. But for the most part we found them. At first, not as many as I would have liked but as August arrived we started finding them. It became quite obvious why the fish and game always did their helicopter count late in August or the first of September.

I have some real good sources that spend a lot of time with their dogs in chukar country and out of all of them there are only two that feel the numbers declined from last year. Everybody else had real positive news and sightings including two that I got just yesterday. I got a very positive report from a very reliable source on an area in Idaho. The second good report was in Oregon. The only place I haven’t heard much about is the Owyhee’s.

From everything I saw and most reports, there were two hatches. One early June or late May and the second around the first of July. I know I’ve been seeing a lot of 6 to 8 week old birds in the last two weeks.

Four days from now the grouse season opens in Idaho. If the weather permits, I’ll be out enjoying some pre season hunts and covering some of the country I have found both blues and chukar. Hopefully, I’ll be able to work on Grady’s holding and letting me do the flushing. I think it’s just a matter of putting the camera down and paying a little more attention to him, but I’m sure we will get it figured out by Sept. 18, the chukar opener.

Out of staters, I believe you should start packing your bags. I’m giving this year a 4 out of 5. I really believe it’s going to be better than average. Be ready for some tough conditions. The cover is not as heavy as usual so the dogs are going to have to work harder to hold the birds because of visibility. Some of those old water holes might be dried out and birds have relocated but it only takes one good fall rain to change all of that. Early season hunters are going to be fighting the same things as we do every year, heat and snakes, but as the season progresses it should be good hunting.

I’m very excited about the season to come and this is the last scouting report. From here out it’s all about the hunt, the dogs, the friends and the crazy stories that go with them. I hope you all have as great a season as I plan on having and send your stories and pictures to me. I love seeing and hearing them.

Best of luck this season, and don’t forget to tell your children and spouse you love them and give them big hugs. You never know when the last one might be the last one.