Hunting Chukar without a Dog

Article and photos submitted by Matt Donovan, Donovan Gunsmithing

Here in northern Nevada, bird hunting with dogs usually means Chukar and maybe the occasional Hun. I have heard people say that it’s impossible to hunt Chukar successfully without a dog, and I’m here to tell you that is not true. I have been passionately hunting Chukar without K-9 companionship for years, and I’ve got a few tips if you want to give it a try.

After a license, the first thing you will need is good boots. Chukar hunting includes a lot of mountain climbing. Most hunters prefer something stiff with good ankle support, so look for brands like Crispi or Kenetrek. I wear hiking boots by Altra. They don’t have the ankle support most would like, but I enjoy their light weight and comfort. It also helps that they are considerably cheaper than the other options.

Let’s talk shotguns. I’m a gunsmith and a certified gun nut, and I have hunted Chukar with every combination of shotgun and cartridge there is, so trust me when I say whatever you have, it will get the job done. Upland game doesn’t require a shell limit like migratory birds, so most people prefer having a semi-auto that can hold as many shells as possible. I also stray from the norm in this regard. I prefer double guns, both over-under and side-by-side. I shoot them better, plus I like the advantage of running two different chokes so I can select a tighter shot pattern at a moment’s notice. 

Speaking of shot patterns, most Chukar hunters would recommend a modified choke, and some even suggest a full choke later in the season when birds are spooky. As a dogless hunter, I tend to go more open. I often choose cylinder and improved cylinder chokes. I find that without a dog, the birds jump closer. Choose shells with shot size somewhere in the #5 to #71/2 range, and try to get at least an ounce of shot when possible. Since most of my shooting is on the closer side, I tend to stick to #6s or #71/2s. I would rather have a denser pattern than down-range killing ability.

Now, grab a bag to hold your shells, water, and a few birds. There are many great game bags out there that are light and comfortable, made by brands like Final Rise, Badlands, Filson, and Orvis, but don’t let the lack of a $300 bird vest stop you from hunting. Any large shoulder bag will work, and you can decide on a game bag after you get a feel for how you like to hunt. 

Now, we need to find the little red-legged devils. Chukar love rocky hills, but they must have water. When searching for a new Chukar spot, I look for at least 50 feet of rocky elevation gain over water, be it river, spring, or guzzler. Chukar are a covey bird, and they like to run uphill in packs when threatened. If you are close to them, they will hide, hoping you walk right past them. I shudder to think of how many birds I have walked past. If possible, I try to get above them. Birds tend to hold better and fly rather than run away when you are coming down on them. If you find yourself chasing them uphill, just stop and find another route. Without a dog, you will never beat a Chukar up a mountain in a foot race. I also find locations where I can bottleneck birds between two landscape features, like sheer cliffs and boulders. I try to find something that will make them stop, hide, and impede their movement if they start running again. I always have a Chukar call with me, and I start my day by calling and listening for a response. If I don’t get one, then I move on. Some days, they just don’t want to talk, but if the birds are there, they will eventually say something to you. Tracks in fresh snow and being near water on a hot day around 10 AM are also great ways of locating birds. 

Don’t let anyone tell you you can’t hunt Chukar without a dog because you can, and successfully, too. I have been doing it for the bulk of my life and have taken home plenty of Chukar, and with all that being said, I would like to mention that I might just be in the market for a bird dog. Happy hunting.