In many places around the county a bird season of some kind has just opened (Dove, Grouse, etc…). For those of you with an open season, be safe and have a great time!

Remember, as hunters we can be very proud that the biggest conservation groups in the world are made up of people just like us; other hunters. People who are not only passionate about hunting, but who also have a genuine desire to protect and enhance the lands and habitat that these animals live in, preserving these opportunities for future generations.

If you have the opportunity, please introduce someone new to the outdoors.

Jay

I ran the dogs on some wild birds early Saturday morning and it was a great time. We got into three separate coveys of quail, and the dogs got some good work in. I flushed each covey one time, then we left that covey alone.

I have been noticing a lot of people out running their bird dogs, getting them in shape and tuned up before bird season. It is always fun to see other guys running their hunting dogs because it’s like without saying a word, we are all speaking the same language.

Jay

For those of you, like me, who enjoy studying the biology of the animals that you hunt, here is a study written by the Nevada Department of Wildlife on the biology of Chukar. It was originally written back in the late 50’s, then rereleased in 2008, I believe. http://www.ndow.org/about/pubs/reports/1970_Chukar-Partridge_Bulletin.pdf Personally there is only one topic that I found to be inconsistent with my own experience, but that is certainly not to suggest that the topic in question is not accurate within this particular study. The only information that I discount, is in this particular study the author speaks of hens laying eggs from mid March to mid April, which I certainly believe is possible, but not typical. On average I believe that is at least 4 to 8 weeks early, but no matter, it is still a VERY informative read.

Jay

This is the time of year to get your hunting dog(s) all tuned up, in shape, and ready for bird season. In most parts of the country dove and grouse season are just around the corner, with many of the other upland bird seasons opening up soon after. Don’t be that guy who puts his dog on the ground opening day wishing that they would have done some offseason dog training. Don’t be that guy who puts an out of shape dog on the ground expecting it to hunt all day. Don’t be that guy who gets mad at his dog for not hunting well when you had all off season to train, but did not. Don’t be that guy. It is not fair to your dog, and it is not very fun.
Join a dog club... Do some yard work every evening... Take them on morning runs or mountain bike rides... Just remember that as much as you like to hunt, your dog likely enjoys it many times more. Give your dog the opportunity to learn and be successful, and it likely will be.

Jay

I drove east to do some elk scouting this weekend with a co-worker here at Glacier Outdoor, Don. We wore ourselves out driving dirt roads, but where happy to see elk, deer, antelope, sage grouse, and a whole lot of beautiful country. The goal on this trip was not necessarily to look for elk, but to get a general lay of the land. My elk hunt does not start until November 6th, so I will be travelling out there a few more times.

The above picture is from part of a heard that we saw. The other 2/3 of the heard walked over the sky line before I got a chance to get the spotting scope set up to take a picture.

Jay