Chukar Season Uncertain

One of the most anticipated upland game bird seasons opens on September 17th this year. Hunters and their dogs alike are readying themselves for the challenge of hunting these notoriously wily game birds in the rocky, shrubby terrain they prefer. Chukar are an introduced game bird originally from the Middle East and southern Asia. They were introduced into Idaho in the late 1930's where they quickly became a popular game bird. Larger than a quail, but smaller than most grouse, this attractive bird rapidly became established in arid regions of the state. Like other members of their family, chukar are social birds, spending most of the non-breeding season in coveys that can sometimes be quite large. Pairs produce only one brood of 10 - 21 chicks a year, but will re-nest if a nest failure occurs. While the adults feed primarily on plant matter including seeds, stems, leaves and buds, young chukar utilize the abundant insect supply that summer brings. During this time of year, the birds are never far from water. They will take advantage of any water source and have even been found watering in a 10-foot mine shaft. In both coloration and behavior, chukar make a challenging target for hunters. Their grayish-brown bodies with contrasting black and chestnut barring on their flanks allow them to practically disappear into their surroundings. This combined with their habit of running away rather than flying can leave a hunter looking in one direction while the covey slips away. Only after the familiar "chuck, chuck, chuck" calls are heard from a distance does the hunter realize how far his quarry has run. And if you combine these habits with the steep, rocky terrain that chukar favor, the birds usually have the advantage. So, if chukar can be such a challenge to hunt, why do so many hunters avidly pursue them? The challenge itself seems to send many hunters afield in search of chukar. Knowing what they are up against makes the end result of a limit of birds seem all the more satisfying. For other hunters, the enjoyment of watching their dogs work is a big part of hunting chukar. According to Sam Heald of Salmon, early season chukar hunting can be hard for dogs. "The birds run so much that when your dog points, you might get up to him and the birds have run 40 yards further." Heald prefers hunting later in the season when the snow "makes the birds sit better and the dogs can work them better." Something mentioned by nearly all chukar hunters is that these birds are just great eating. "Chukar in the dutch oven makes all the effort worthwhile" said one guide. What can hunters hoping for chukar on the grill this fall expect in the Salmon region this season? While chukar populations in western Idaho are reported to be at an all-time high, it is likely that chukar hunting in the Salmon region will be poor to fair. Fish and Game biologists are not seeing large numbers of chukar nor are they hearing reports of many chukar except along the Middle Fork of the Salmon River. Several factors are probably contributing to low numbers of birds this fall. The first occurred during December of 2003 when cold temperatures and powdery snow combined to kill off a large number of adult birds. Since chukar are natives of warmer climates, prolonged cold and continuous snow cover can take its toll. Fewer adults raised fewer chicks the next spring and the overall population has taken time to recover. Both the spring of 2004 and 2005 had cool temperatures with above normal rainfall during the peak hatching period in early June. Chicks are very vulnerable to bad weather during this time because they still rely on their mother to keep them warm. In addition, their insect food sources can disappear when the weather turns unseasonable, causing starvation. Since young-of-the-year make up the bulk of hunter-harvested birds, poor chick survival early in the season means fewer birds for hunters in the fall. An additional problem chukar face in the Salmon region is caused by elevation and its associated climate. The Salmon Region lies at the very edge of what can be considered good chukar habitat. When conditions are right, the birds thrive and when they turn poor, the population declines. The bright note to all this is that chukar are a resilient species with high reproductive rates and the ability to take advantage of good conditions. Low populations for a season or two are invariably followed by bumper crops of birds giving hunters the opportunity to pursue these adaptable birds.