Today was one of those blue bird January days I’m use to. The sun was shining and a still 28 degrees on the mountain. I just needed one chukar off a point to end my season. I decided on an area closer to home that usually had a few birds.
We started out on bare slopes but it wasn’t long before we hit the snow. I really wasn’t wanting to make this too difficult of a hunt and when I found some boot prints in the snow I used that as an excuse of not going any higher. The tracks weren’t fresh but had been since the last snow. While side hilling the broken snow floor hills each of the dogs had a point but the chukars flew long before I got in range. They were small covey’s and I was glad for the birds that this was the last day of the season.
Then it happened. Dogs on point. I came over the ridge and could see Jake locked with Grady honoring. It was a beautiful sight and I was hoping that this would be the finale for the season.
As I moved in on Jakes point I tried to move to his right and hoped for a left to right crosser. My favorite shot. Neither dog moved a muscle and the birds held tight as if scripted to do so.
The covey flushed as I moved to the front and flew in the direction I hoped. The Browning barked twice and two chukars fell to the ground.
I started walking down the slope to meet Grady with his retrieve
and then Jake’s.
I broke my citori open and placed the spent shells in the vest with the two chukars.
The hill we were on was sandy and easy on the bones as we proceeded down to the truck. With the gun open and over the shoulder the dogs knew we were through for the day.
How could it end any better than that.
The Reigning Chukar Champions 