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EQUIPMENT 4 HUNTING |
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So, you have now decided you want to try this thing called chukar hunting. One doesn't just jump into it, but, must possess a number of items before one can go for it. The list I have gathered will get you started and if neccesary you can add stuff later.DO NOT, I REPEAT-DO NOT attempt to hunt without these bare essentials. It's beyond imagination what might happen if you tried. THE LIST #1. One must be able to get to where one is going to hunt. Walking is not an option...most trips average a round trip mileage of one to two hundred miles (that's considered a close trip). My choice of transportation is the Ford 4x4 in 2 dr-4dr or extended cab with gas or diesel engine with a camper shell. The camper shell is for the dogs or maybe your hunting partner if he gets more birds than you do and decides to rub it in...NOT recommended would be all other pickups but, if you must go in the other one..GOOD LUCK!! Ok, pickup is picked so now we need a few important, can't be without items. These will be, but not limited to the following: A. at least an extra fuel tank of 50 gallons or more, unless one is standard equipment, of course this depends on the kind of mileage you get, mine is,"See gas station STOP". B. Shovel-usually borrowed by other truck owners who didn't think they needed the Ford. C. Toe Rope-same as shovel. D. Lots of water-one gets mighty thirsty when he's lost in Nevada. E. Good Loud Stereo-good for after hunt when partner can't shutup about how good he did and maybe next time you to can do as good as he did. F. Small Sandwich Bag-To put the BIRD in if you were successful. G. Two Spare Tires..At least 2 but, better to have 6 to 10 spares if you have room for them. H. Sleeping Bags-Just in case you by some freak of an accident, find yourself miss placed and might need rescuing. Other use is for the 2 limit gig-you know, daily and possession-REMEMBER though NOT RECOMMENDED on opening day!!!! I. Extra Shotgun-Not that they ever break down but, sometimes you grab the wrong case and rifles don't make for a good chukar gun though they do reach out a lot farther. J. Shells-Like spare tires the more the merrier. If different gauges are taken have several boxes of each and then some more 4-10 shells fit good in 12's and 20's. But, don't shoot to good.. K. Extra Clothes-No matter what you bring you always left what you want at home. L. Extra Battery-Nobody will ever admit they forgot to turn off their lights and took off hunting...only to come back 7 hours later to the deadest battery you ever seen and not a sole anywhere in site. OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT-YOUR DISCRETION 1. Tire Chains-My view on this one..if the 4 tires I got can't get me there and back, I sure am not putting on chains to get in worse trouble..You know the saying stuck with 2..Buried with 4..who knows with chains. 2. Winch-Looks good on front bumper but, just shows me you tread where one shouldn't tread. 3. Binoculars-Not really an option but, come in real handy seeing if someone is coming to find you. 4. Utility Trailor-Comes in handy to carry all the items I mention in this section. #2. Can you believe we are only on the second item? The Shotgun-Not much here to say, you have or you no hunt. The two most popular would be your 12 and 20 guage. The 12..the choice of the real bad shot-shells as tall as 3 1/2" and up to 2 and a half oz. of BB's. The 20 used by the bad shot who thinks he's a good shot-says "gun is much lighter than 12", so he can carry a few more shells which contain almost as many BB's as the 12. He usually has same results as the 12'er but, can say he has smaller gun so can miss a little more often..Reasoning behind 20, much lighter, faster movement, just the all around chukar gun. Lastly we have the 4-10. Most don't even recognize it as being a real shotgun. Only idiots would even consider the thought of hunting chukars with it. I guess you can call us the idiot brothers cause our choice of fine shotguns for chukar hunting will be the Remington 1100 4-10 bar non. LOVE IT OR LEAVE IT!!! #3. The FRS Radio-A worthy investment-really good for telling your partner that the bird he just shot at 5 times and missed landed on the next mountain because it couln't fly and laugh at the same time. Good for listening to other hunters, knowing your not the only fool out there wondering why. #4. Hunting Dogs-Believe me when I say; POODLES are not hunting dogs. Ones not a chukar hunter unless he has a dog, believe me I know. I use to not have a dog. I still remember running down the hill, full speed, trying to catch that crippled chukar only to realize it's mission impossible..And Mr. Heart Attack is coming..Let the dog do that, you feed it 8 months a year to do nothing. Make it work the 4 months of hunting. Some good dogs are German Shorthair Pointer-Wirehair Pointer-the not to popular Bulldog Pointer and my favorite The Chawawa Pointer/Retriever (great for fetching tacos). #5. Good Chukar Hat-It can make you or break you-pick very carefully.. #6. Electric Collar-Like the American Express Card. Don't Leave Home Without It!! With the collar it's possible to see if the dog is still on the same mountain range as you are. Ask any hunter, my dog is completely under my control and does what I say. Really, thought only fishermen stretched the truth. Oh well!! #7. GPS-Basically, so you don't have to rely on the Search and Rescue crew so much. After 3 or 4 calls they can get a little irrate. #8. Hunting Vest-Have lots of pockets for lots of shells. Game pouch-optional, not used very much. #9. GOOD PAIR OF BOOTS-If not a good foot doctor. Tennis shoes are not exceptable UNLESS you can actually run a chukar down going up hill..I'll take the chukar every bet..Sorry. #10. BOOK OF EXCUSES-Excuses are hard to remember, so the book is great. Always keep one on hand because it is frequently used. #11. TOILET PAPER-Really need not say much more. Have made hundreds of dollars in the field, being the only one to remember to carry it. One never has to go until he's in the field and several miles from the truck and believe me, SAGEBRUSH, is NO substitute!!! #12. THE SLING- Good for those days when one forgets what a chukar looks like and just carries the gun on his shoulder for an ornament. Usually the only time a bird does get up is when you are utilizing the sling to it's fullest. There are probably a few other items you might need but, these will get you up and hunting. SO you ask, WHATS this all cost? PLENTY..It's only money..CHARGE IT ha.ha. THE COST BREAKDOWN PICKUP cost is $40,000 down to $100."It ran when I parked it!" GUN cost is $1,500 down to $0. "Stoled it-really found it" RADIO cost is $200 down to $15 "Wally World borrowed it" DOG cost is $600 down to $50 "At the pound-they said it could hunt!" HAT cost is PRICELESS "found mine!" ELECTRIC COLLAR cost is $600 down to $150 "Battery operated best...extension cords hold dog back." GPS cost is $500 down to $100 "Lost mine somewhere" VEST cost is $100 down to $10 "Made it myself" BOOTS cost is $300 down to $0 "found by the side of road" EXCUSE BOOK cost is PRICELESS "DON"T miss-need no excuses" SLING cost is $20 down to $0 "shoe string" TP $ANY PRICE "Let me use the TP-DAMN IT!" TOTALED UP $43,820 or the low of $425 So for the hunter where, ah hecks its only money. They can get by for a mere $43,820 and have a wonderful hunt. On the other hand the less well off might want to see if they could possibly go with the well off. Or, if you're really the adventurous type you could swing it for a measly $425. But, check the truck out good before you leave the yard. A cell phone wouldn't be a bad idea either. So there you have it from rags to riches of hunting chukars. Oh yeah, I did leave one small but very important item out-YOUR HUNTING LICENSE. One might want this item before he ventures out after the chukar. COST around $30 for resident and a considerable lot more for the non-resident. If caught without could cost you all the above mentioned items. BUY ONE-IT'S only money!!!So let's go HUNTING!!!! To view another section left click on the subjects below. All About Us Types of Chukar Hunters Copyright © 2001-2003 Little Creek. All rights reserved. | ||