From the Columbian newspaper, "Upland Bird Hunting Prospects Not Encouraging" (Oct, 2011)
"Southeast Washington — Few pheasant broods have been observed in Walla Walla, Columbia, Asotin and Garfiled counties. Chukar production was good in 2010, but the wet spring may have hurt chick survival this summer. While few chukar broods have been observed, the sightings show brood size may be increasing."
Dedicated bird hunters and BRO contributors, Tate Bare and Rich McMahon headed out to test their guts against the brutally steep breaks of the Columbia River and the chukar that live there. Despite underwhelming predictions for the 2011Washington upland bird season, they end the season with plenty of birds and tired dogs.
It turns out (as usual) that the concerns over Chukar numbers were drastically overblown. The Spokane Daily Chronicle had it correct in 1964 when they said, "Chukar hunting is a young man's sport... Their are more than enough (chukar) in the river breaks to provide outstanding hunting".
Regardless of actual chukar numbers the average hunter will not be successful unless he is willing to HIKE (and maybe even climb) the vertical and talus rock country which defines the Columbia River breaks. Every chukar hunter will faced with a decision as they watch a covey sail over the rock covered bluff or down into the creek bottom from which they just came; Is it worth it? Do I want to head up there or back down there? The answer is usually an emphatic NO. For this reason, there will always be chukar to hunt in Eastern Washington's river breaks for the hardcore hunters that dare chase them.
Read the complete article from Spokane Daily Chronicle here:
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