February 4, 2012

Traveling Wingshooter Online
2010

ore chukars are being seen this year, though numbers are still well below states' five- and ten-year averages. Personnel in the state offices consistently reported that good hunting will depend on the area, and even then opportunities will be spotty.

At time of this writing, Idaho biologists were still collecting harvest data, which will be available within the next couple weeks. Jeffrey Knetter, Upland Game & Waterfowl Staff Biologist for the Idaho Department of Fish & Game reported a wet, cool spring across the southern part of the state this year, but the impact it had on this year’s numbers is still being researched. “Most of the harvest occurs in the southwest region, followed by the Magic Valley and Clearwater regions,” says Knetter. “The Salmon region also produces consistent shooting opportunities.” The IDFG also has an online interactive hunt planner and hunt area maps available on their website.

Last season, Nevada harvested 76,581 chukars, which, compared to 2008, was a 25 percent increase. Hunters this year will be facing “spotty” opportunities as some areas fared better than others. According to Shawn Espinosa, Upland Game Biologist for the Nevada Department of Wildlife, “Overwinter survival of chukar should have been good. Late season cold temperatures, moisture, and extended periods of wind likely had a negative effect on early nesting and chick survival. Late nesters and re-nesters fared much better in terms of success and brood size. “Overall, expect an average year in northwestern Nevada with spots that will be very good. In central and southern Nevada, expect an above average year due to favorable conditions that persisted throughout the spring and early summer.” A more thorough report will be posted on the NDOW website. Check for announcements on their Facebook page.

Oregon harvest statistics from 2009 revealed an upswing from 2008. Although there were fewer hunters (12.8% decrease), the number of days hunting increased by nearly 10 percent, and the harvest (57,628 chukars) was an increase of 28.7 percent. Areas with the highest numbers were in the counties along the eastern border. According to Dave Budeau, Upland Game Bird Coordinator for the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, 2010 numbers are anticipated to be as good or better than 2009 despite a cool, wet spring: “Due to the good summer habitat conditions it appears the renesting effort is very strong with good survival of the late broods, which will help compensate for the poor success of initial attempts. The best counties will likely be Harney, Malheur, Baker, and Wallowa in association with Owyhee, Malheur, and Snake River drainages. Hunters can certainly expect to find decent numbers of chukars in other parts of the state, such as portions of the lower John Day and Deschutes River Canyons.” Budeau directs hunters to a brand-new hunter access map online at www.Oregonhuntingmap.com.

Nearly 28,000 chukars (average one for every day afield) were harvested in Utah in 2009 by 6,562 hunters. Compared to 2008, the number of hunters slightly decreased, but the number of harvested chukars increased by 22 percent. Generally, populations this year appear to be stable despite suffering from drought conditions this summer, which is probably due to the improved habitat conditions from a cool, wet spring. “Hunters should look for chukar hunting to be similar to last year for the central and northern parts of the state,” says Dave Olsen, Upland Game Coordinator for the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources. “Chukar populations in the more southern regions appear to have responded to the improved conditions.”

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