BigBendFishing.Net

The chukar is a partridge species and not native to the US, although some were imported (from Spain) into Oregon, Nevada and Idaho, where they do quite well.

They are typical partridges and group in coveys of between 5 and 20 birds.
Far easier to shoot as birds driven over standing guns.
When walked up, they will continuously move in front of the guns and do not hold well at all.

I have shot them in Spain at La Mancha and Toledo.
The beaters disappear into the scrubland on horse back, the guns are placed in valleys and the birds pushed over the guns.
Very strong flying birds and very, very fast.

Cranfield wrote:The chukar is a partridge species and not native to the US, although some were imported (from Spain) into Oregon, Nevada and Idaho, where they do quite well.

They are typical partridges and group in coveys of between 5 and 20 birds.
Far easier to shoot as birds driven over standing guns.
When walked up, they will continuously move in front of the guns and do not hold well at all.

I have shot them in Spain at La Mancha and Toledo.
The beaters disappear into the scrubland on horse back, the guns are placed in valleys and the birds pushed over the guns.
Very strong flying birds and very, very fast.

I can assure you that there many rogue chukar's roaming the pines of southwest Georgia, they may be illegal aliens, but they are there

BD: "Skillet shoot?" Can you elaborate? I'm afraid if I guess, and am correct, I would be accused of it.

wings are down, less shot to pick

Oh yes. Its what you think. Growing up poor in Mississippi, you didn't flush a quail to shoot it. That might only get you 1 bird, 2 if you were lucky. However, if you shot the covey on the ground, you would likely get enough to fill the skillet. Then all you needed were bisquits and gravy.

Roger that.

I would contact your local AKC Retriever club.
http://www.tallahasseehuntingretrieverclub.com/

This is a great club. I have run in some of their hunt test in Thomasville. They have training days and are alway looking for more members.

birddog wrote:Oh yes. Its what you think. Growing up poor in Mississippi, you didn't flush a quail to shoot it. That might only get you 1 bird, 2 if you were lucky. However, if you shot the covey on the ground, you would likely get enough to fill the skillet. Then all you needed were bisquits and gravy.

That reminds me of one of the stories Mr Lovel put in the Spring Creek Chronicles........Corn in a long line...BAM

I didn't realize we had so many wingshooters on this "fishing board." Maybe we should try to schedule a weekend shoot at CoonBottom or one of the the other skeet/sporting clays facilities around . You know, just a little variation.

Cran-I have never hunted wild Chukar, but I have had the opportunity to hunt released chukar on several occassions. I remember one hunt where 2 english setters (very good setters by my standards--from Old Hemlock and Llewellyn bloodlines) and three hunters were fooled for about 1/2 hour by a single chukar. Just when we thought the dogs had an old sent, out went a very hard flying bird from right underneath use. Litterally, it had left the field and gotten under an exposed root in a creek bank. It was about 2 feet below us when it flushed. Nobody was even able to sholder a gun.

TD-thanks for the link. A club is something I have considered, but do to my inexperience, and the even less experience that my finacee and dog have, I would like to keep training at more of individual level at this point. I may change that feeling in the future though.

SB. this is a great club. There are folks from all levels. They meet and train on the Boarderline Plantation in Thomasville. Thst's Sally Sullivan's place. She is an Orvis (in the family).

Clubs are looking for new members. Just go to one of the training days the club has and you will see what I mean. If only to see the grounds at Boarderline. What a place.

I am in the Atlanta Retriever Club myself.

Showboat...If you can wait a couple weekends I can get you some birds.

RS-no problem waiting a couple weeks. If you get a lead on birds and can send me a PM that would be great. Thanks

I would agree that joining a Club is a great idea, it not only socialises the dog, but it socialises you.
Great networking opportunities, shared experiences, great fun.

SHOWBOAT wrote:RS-no problem waiting a couple weeks. If you get a lead on birds and can send me a PM that would be great. Thanks

Sent you a PM....