Chukar

The Traveling Wingshooter 2014: Chukar Forecast
by Dave Smith

Nevada, the long-time premier chukar destination, has been ravaged by drought since the bumper year of 2011 that yielded an estimated harvest of over 100,000 chukars. According to Espinosa, the 2012 hatch was a bust and the 2013 survey indicated a subsequent 35 percent decline from 2012. However, there were a few bright spots last year, including the Pine Forest Range with 136 birds observed per square mile. The 2014 surveys had not been completed at press time so Espinosa didnˊt have a good handle on chukar production in northern Nevada. The detailed 2014-15 Nevada Chukar Forecast will be available in late August.

As noted above, Idaho will likely offer good chukar hunting this season. Knetter suggests the Clearwater, Southwest, and Salmon regions.

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