A new challenge

Just when you thought chukar hunting couldn’t be any tougher a new challenge comes along. It comes in the form of too much cover. I know cover is great for holding the birds and cover doesn’t affect the scenting ability of a dog but for us mortals it can be a real pain.

I took the boys for a hike on some semi steep chukar country today and got my butt whipped. Have you ever had to move water lines in waist high alfalfa? Do you remember what hunting pheasants in sugar beet fields is like? That is the challenge this super Spring weather is providing for us who love the mountains. Not only steep but heavy grass that pulls against your every step like dragging a five pound weight behind your feet.

And it’s not going to get better for us two legged humans. The skeleton weed hasn’t matured yet as well as those other plants that wrap around your legs and keeping you from getting to a pointed dog.

I mentioned hunting pheasants in a sugar beet field. Remember trying to get to your dog and stumbling over the beets? The steep chukar hills are that way this year, but instead of beats, you’ll be stumbling over the football size rocks hidden by the thick grass. I experienced several of those stumbles today.

This is the mountain I went up with the dogs today.

Not really that bad to look at. I had planned on going over the top and up the next ridge but after several bouts with the tall grass I turned back and was beat after 3 1/2 miles. The dogs were worked pretty hard also. This is what we were fighting half of the time.

Obviously, the mountains are in great condition for the wildlife. I don’t know how the chukar population is going to be but I can’t imagine more favorable conditions. I’ve never seen the mountains this green in June. As tough as it will be navigating the mountains through this thick cover, there is one thing that could be tougher. If all this grass dries up and we have fires.

So I guess I’ll have to put my big boy boots on and trudge through the thick stuff. Actually, I can add this to my excuses for missing. The grass grabbed my leg and wouldn’t let me turn with the shot.

Works for me.