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zaconb
10-27-2007, 02:06 PM
Well I rolled into the Kamloops Best Western two dogs in tow and a truck full of gear, maps, and over confidence! Little did I know that three days later I would be looking back exhausted bruised sore and removing cactus spines from various parts of my body. Oh, lets not forget the numerous cacti removed from “the boys” including two fully developed clumps buried deep in the pads of Chas (my Drathaar) not noticed until he was asleep! This problem was averted the second morning by actually using the expensive dog boots I had purchased from Cabelas, I'm enthusiastic not smart! My experience with cactus has now toughened me up, notice I didn’t say toughened “the boys” up, they seemed to just deal with it, as opposed to me. When a spike would pierce my leather boot, imbedding itself in my foot I would shriek and limp like a sissy, “the boys” seemed to look on and smile.
Ok why the title…I’m not sure if it’s the unfamiliar landscape these birds inhabit, or maybe their bizarre antics, maybe it’s the strangeness of looking up and on the next ridge seeing the ghost like presence of big horn sheep slipping into the mist. All I can say is only a possessed species of partridge could survive here! Did I mention I’m hooked, the next trip is in the works (with a lay over in Oliver and Osoysoos), the order to Cabelas has been placed, and I am looking into taking a technical climbing course!
Ok now for the hunting, I have been referred to by several of my friends as an upland specialist, not that I’m good at it or that the upland species are the only ones accessible to me but more because it suits me best. Not to mention that I’ve always followed versatile dogs around and love to watch them work upland. Now don’t get me wrong I love waterfowl hunting and those of you that know me I do have enough gear to spend a comfortable day in the marsh, but to be honest “the boys’ shine in the uplands and to keep them confined to a blind just retrieving , well that just does not due them justice.
Since this story seems to be rambling on I’ll cut to the chase, we actually managed to get Chuckar and found lots, if they weren’t sprinting up the hills in front of us they were bursting into flight just out of range screaming down the steep slopes. It didn’t take to long for me to figure out that if I didn’t empty the little 20ga immediately and excursed some restraint one or two birds would linger after the main flock took flight allowing us a chance to take a reasonable shot. Most of the birds taken where in no way over those picture perfect classic points, instead they where while one of “the boys” where tracking, or pointing from a distance where I had to “double time it” to get the running bird in the air! The only exception to this was on our last afternoon after a 3 hour death march over hill and dale. Chas and I where swinging back to the truck when I heard the tell tale call of a single in a valley below us. Chas and I quickly made our way down the steep grade and Chas immediately started making game and then slammed into a point in front a group of sage. I quickly began to power walk by the clump of bushes to get closer to the escaping Chuckar. Noticing that Chas was still on point behind me I quickly gave the release command in order to let him continue to track the single when 12-15 Chuckar exploded from the bush behind me, all escaping unharmed!
What a great trip and now I’m down to only one species of wild upland bird on my life long list, Mr. Bobwhite, could this be the year…
Thanks to everyone on this forum that pointed me in the right direction for this trip, I owe you!
The terrain
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c277/zaconb/Kamloops/PA250028.jpg


Finally!
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c277/zaconb/Kamloops/PA240006.jpg



Conner

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c277/zaconb/Kamloops/PA250024.jpg

Chas
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c277/zaconb/Kamloops/PA250034.jpg

Chuck
10-27-2007, 02:17 PM
Bird hunting at its toughest!
Congratulations on a good hunt well done!

Derek_Erickson
10-27-2007, 02:33 PM
Kamloops lake, that side indeed has a ton of cacti

Jagermeister
10-27-2007, 03:20 PM
Most Chukars die of old age, only the young and dumb submit to the gun!

Buck
10-27-2007, 04:08 PM
As i mentioned in another post you can use Bicycle innertube for boots.From what i hear even expensive custom boots won"t last long out there.The latest copy of Gundog mag has a great article on how to make them

Ian F.
10-27-2007, 05:53 PM
Woose!

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Dano
10-27-2007, 06:25 PM
Brings back some good memories, Rick. Last time I hunted chukar was 25 years ago.
Glad to hear you had a successful first time out, I'll bet the second trip is in the works already!
Dan

dave
10-27-2007, 06:29 PM
Sounds like one heck of an adventure. Great that you got the boys into the upland.

zaconb
10-27-2007, 09:01 PM
As i mentioned in another post you can use Bicycle innertube for boots.From what i hear even expensive custom boots won"t last long out there.The latest copy of Gundog mag has a great article on how to make them

Buck thanks for the tip, just thought I'd put the expensive boots to work since I've had them for several years:smile: ! And for those who are interested make sure you train your dogs with boots before the hunt or at least video tape thier first outing, it's hilarious !

MichelD
10-30-2007, 12:00 PM
What is it they say?

You hunt chukars once for sport.

After that it's revenge.

Will
02-17-2008, 09:58 AM
Missed this one.........
Glad your trip to the loops was a "Fun" one :biggrin:
Hiked out that lower Tranquille area a "few" times myself.:wink:

I love it when they stick into the heel of your boot and when you walk they flick up and stick into the back of your leg......:o

Nice Dogs too BTW !8-)