December 24, 2008

Commentary
For a lot of hunters,
upland bird season
really opens now

By JIM MATTHEWS
Outdoor News Service

I went because of the dog.
The new Labrador puppy, Duke, had been cooped up in the house and yard with the two old dogs for nearly five days without any decent exercise, and he was bouncing off the walls. Normally, I would take him for a long walk or hunt him at least two or three times a week, but we had been busy. When Becky left for work I told her I was going to take Duke out for a couple of hours. She nodded and said that he needed it.
The dog was making laps in the back seat of the little truck. When I pulled off the dirt road and opened the back door, Duke flew out the door and the laps got bigger as he raced around waiting for me to get the shotgun. I realized I’d forgotten my boots, but put on the rain jacket and hunting vest and headed up a low ridge. I was soaked from the knees down before I was 50 yards from the truck, but Duke was in heaven.
I’d forgotten how much fun it was to watch a young hunting dog run through a world of new scents when the ground and bushes were wet and holding the smells like a baked hors d’oeuvres platter.
I steered us away from where I thought the quail might be holding and feeding in this weather so the puppy could burn off a little of this energy at break-neck speed, catching scents in mid-leap over brush and pretzling back around to sniff at the new odor, rooting through the brush, crashing over shrubs. He’d stop briefly to look at me, as if to say, “Can you smell that? Wow!” And then he’d tear off again.
When we came up over the lip of the small ridge, I felt sure the birds would be in the taller shrubs in the next draw. The under story was clear enough to give them lots of running and scratching room, but the canopy was heavy enough it shielded them from the weather and from hawks. Duke immediately started acting birdy working through this cover and raced up a side canyon quartering back and forth with his nose close to the ground. I followed him up out of the draw and along a side ridge. He looped below me and then came up the side of the hill and to the trail on the top of the hill and started running. He jerked his head to the left into the wind following a hot scent, but his body kept going forward two more steps as though his legs couldn’t react as quickly as his nose. The tail-wagging tempo increased as he crashed into the brush below me and quail started flushing.
I knocked one male valley quail down and missed a second. While reloading the 28 gauge, I marked where the other birds had flown. Duke found the dead bird and marched out of the brush with it. Almost nine months old, he was catching on to this game pretty quickly. Duke put up several pairs and singles, and I blame the rain and water-speckled glasses for not getting another bird or two in the vest. Duke didn’t seem to mind.
Walking back to the truck, I realized that the dog had been tracking the birds from the heavy cover where I first suspected they were holding. They went up a side draw and into a place I probably would not have looked had I been hunting without a dog. After running 50 yards in heavy brush, they were holding right at my feet and probably wouldn’t have flushed without a dog’s nose bearing down on them.
Like a lot of upland bird hunters, the season really doesn’t start for us until after the first rains fall in the desert or a drape of snow covers the peaks of our local mountains. Oh, we might start hunting when the season opens in mid-October, but we prefer the solitude of the late season and the better hunting conditions for our dogs.
Many guys give it up this time of year because they think the coveys are shot out or just can’t seem to find the birds.
After nearly 30 years of chasing quail and chukar, I’ve discovered this is the best time to hunt. But you have to do things differently, and hunters who don’t have dogs really have a tough go now, especially on birds that have been hunted a little.
Here are some basic tips I’ve learned by stubbornly following Labrador retrievers long after most hunters have started cleaning up their fishing gear, getting ready for the spring bass bite.
-- You’ve all read that the mountain quail and chukar don’t like snow and drop down in elevation, often concentrating right at the snow line. That’s good advice if you go the day or two after a storm. What veteran hunters don’t tell you is that the birds generally don’t go back upslope very far as the snow line recedes between storms. This means if you go upslope until you hit a solid, snowy ground a week after the last storm, you aren’t likely to find any birds because they are where the snow line was before three or four sunny days melted the snow back. You might not be far from birds, but they are further down slope. I learned this by following bird dogs that kept insisting on going down hill.
-- The key this time of year is knowing where the birds will roost and seek cover from predators and weather. Roosts are almost always on north or northeast-facing slopes for chukar, while quail look for heavier cover this time of year within their home range, usually in the most protected spots. Start looking on the lee sides of draws, out of prevailing winds. The dogs taught me this, too.
-- Valley and Gambels quail not in snow country move uphill after the first rains, moving out of the canyon bottoms and flats to live on gentle, south-facing side hills, saddles, and benches. This is especially true of hard-hunted birds. These are also places mountain quail and chukar prefer when they’ve been pushed downslope.
-- All upland birds move off water sources once there are good rains, when water and green sprouts are everywhere. The time of being able to bust birds off guzzlers and springs is pretty much over now. Sure, quail are never too far from their traditional water sources -- a mile or two at most, but chukar will roam miles away from where you found them in October.
-- Don’t expect to hear calling birds or have them answer your call. Chukar will still sound their alarm calls, but with far less frequency. Quail will do very little calling this time of year. The covey has its routine down and there’s not a lot of chatter, even when they are scattered. They know where to meet back up with the gang. You might here a single call now and then, but unless you are working completely unhunted birds, they generally won’t answer your call. Save the calling for pre-season scouting and the early season.
-- Winter birds will hold tighter. Chukar will flush at longer ranges initially and then hold very tightly after that, frequently allowing hunters to run past them. Quail will run as a covey, break up while on foot, and then hold tightly. If you do flush a covey, the birds frequently stick tight when they land. This is heaven for hunters with dogs, especially with moist ground that holds the scent.
-- Without a dog, you have to resort to different tactics to get birds into the air. Here are two tips: First, stop and stand still for prolonged periods if you are in the vicinity where you think there are birds or you saw flushed birds land. The young birds get nervous and flush if you stand there, but they will hold tight if you keep moving. Second, don’t hesitate to kick brush and make a noise with your mouth like the frantic wing beats of other birds flushing.
There’s one rule that always applies to all quail and chukar hunting: Whoever covers the most ground wins. Plan on taking long hikes and pay attention to the kinds of cover and terrain where you find birds. I’ve learned a lot by following the noses of a lot of hunting dogs.

OUTDOOR CALENDAR

JANUARY 3-4 ONTARIO GUN SHOW: The Crossroads of the West Ontario Gun Show will be held 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 3, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 4, at the Ontario Convention Center, Ontario. Admission is $10. The next Ontario gun shows will tentatively be May 16-17 and Oct. 24-25. Information, directions, and $1 off coupons available at www.crossroadsgunshows.com.
JANUARY 5-6 BAKERSFIELD GUN SHOW: The Central Coast Gun Shows Bakersfield event will be held Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 3-4 at the Kern County Fairgrounds, Bakersfield. The 2009 dates for the Bakersfield gun shows include April 4-5, June 20-21, Sept. 5-6, and Nov. 21-22. Information at www.centralcoastgunshows.com or call 805-481-6726.
JANUARY 10 NORCO HUNTER SAFETY CLASS: A one-day, 10-hour certified hunter safety class will be held at Mike Raahauge's Shooting Enterprises, Norco. Classes are required for all first-time California hunters before a hunting license can be purchased. Cost is $35 per person. Sign-ups are taken at all Turner's Outdoorsman stores. Contact Raahauge's at 951-735-7981.
JANUARY 10 BALD EAGLE CENSUS: Volunteers are needed to participate in this winter’s bald eagle counts conducted on Jan. 10, Feb. 14, and Mar. 14 in the San Bernardino National Forest at Big Bear Lake, Baldwin Lake, Green Valley Lake, Lake Gregory, Lake Arrowhead, Lake Silverwood, and Lake Hemet. To volunteer and get more information, call Robin Eliason, a USFS biologist at the Big Bear Ranger Station, at 909-382-2832.
JANUARY 10-11 VENTURA GUN SHOW: The McMann’s Roadrunner Gun Show will be held 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 10, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 11, at Seaside Park, Ventura. Admission is $9. The next Ventura gun shows will be Feb. 28-Mar. 1, June 6-7, Sept. 12-13, and Nov. 7-8. Information, directions, and $1 off coupons available at www.mcmannsroadrunner.com.
JANUARY 10-11 CONCEALED CARRY WEAPON COURSE: A 16-hour California Concealed Carry Weapon (CCW) course is being offered by Firearms Training Associates at Mike Raahauge's Shooting Enterprises this Saturday and Sunday. Cost is $180 per person. This course meets the state requirement for 16 hours of training to qualify for a CCW (not valid in San Bernardino County). Contact FTA at 714-701-9918 or 877-544-4867 for information about this class or the remaining 2009 schedule. The web site is www.ftatv.com.
JANUARY 23-24 COSTA MESA GUN SHOW: The Crossroads of the West Costa Mesa Gun Show will be held 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 23, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 24, at the Orange County Fair and Event Center (Orange County Fairgrounds), Costa Mesa. Admission is $10. The next Costa Mesa gun shows will tentatively be Mar. 28-29, June 6-7, Aug. 15-16, and Nov. 28-29 (Thanksgiving weekend). Information, directions, and $1 off coupons available at www.crossroadsgunshows.com.
FEBRUARY 7-8 DEL MAR GUN SHOW: The Crossroads of the West Del Mar Gun Show will be held 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 7, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 8, at the Del Mar Fair Grounds, Del Mar. Admission is $10. The next Del Mar gun shows will tentatively be Mar. 21-22, July 11-12, Oct. 3-4, and Dec. 12-13. Information, directions, and $1 off coupons available at www.crossroadsgunshows.com.
FEBRUARY 14 BALD EAGLE CENSUS: Volunteers are needed to participate in this winter’s bald eagle counts conducted on Feb. 14 and Mar. 14 in the San Bernardino National Forest at Big Bear Lake, Baldwin Lake, Green Valley Lake, Lake Gregory, Lake Arrowhead, Lake Silverwood, and Lake Hemet. To volunteer and get more information, call Robin Eliason, a USFS biologist at the Big Bear Ranger Station, at 909-382-2832.
FEBRUARY 20-22 WATER-FOR-WILDLIFE WORK PROJECT: The Mojave Preserve Water-for-Wildlife Volunteer Group will have a work project at Camp Cady, a Department of Fish and Game wildlife area east of Barstow on the Mojave River. Voluntters are needed to repair and install barbed-wire fencing, pour new concrete slabs, install conduit, trench water lines, and more. As usual, food will be provided two evenings and two mornings, but everyone should bring camping gear, water, firewood, food or lunch and snacks, and gloves. Next project dates are March 20-22, April 17-19 and May 1-3. For more information and directions to the camp site, contact Cliff McDonald at 760-326-2935 or via e-mail at bigmc@citlink.net.
FEBRUARY 21-22 CONCEALED CARRY WEAPON COURSE: A 16-hour California Concealed Carry Weapon (CCW) course is being offered by Firearms Training Associates at Mike Raahauge's Shooting Enterprises this Saturday and Sunday. Cost is $180 per person. This course meets the state requirement for 16 hours of training to qualify for a CCW (not valid in San Bernardino County). Contact FTA at 714-701-9918 or 877-544-4867 for information about this class or the remaining 2009 schedule. The web site is www.ftatv.com.
FEBRUARY 28-MARCH 1 VENTURA GUN SHOW: The McMann’s Roadrunner Gun Show will be held 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 28, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Mar. 1, at Seaside Park, Ventura. Admission is $9. The next Ventura gun shows will be June 6-7, Sept. 12-13, and Nov. 7-8. Information, directions, and $1 off coupons available at www.mcmannsroadrunner.com.
MARCH 4-8 FRED HALL LONG BEACH SHOW: The Fred Hall Fishing Tackle, Boat, and Travel Show will be held March 4-8 at the Long Beach Convention Center. This is the West Coast’s granddaddy of sportsman’s shows filling the convention center with exhibitors. Admission to the Hall Show is $15 for adults and kids are free. For more information, go to www.fredhall.com or call 805-389-3339.
MARCH 7-8 GLENDALE GUN SHOW: The Glendale Gun Show will be held 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Mar. 7, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Mar. 8, at the Glendale Civic Auditorium, Glendale. Admission is $9. The next Glendale gun shows will be Aug. 8-9 and Nov. 21-22. Information, directions, and $1 off coupons available at www.glendalegunshow.com.
MARCH 14 BALD EAGLE CENSUS: Volunteers are needed to participate in this winter’s final bald eagle count to be conducted on Mar. 14 in the San Bernardino National Forest at Big Bear Lake, Baldwin Lake, Green Valley Lake, Lake Gregory, Lake Arrowhead, Lake Silverwood, and Lake Hemet. To volunteer and get more information, call Robin Eliason, a USFS biologist at the Big Bear Ranger Station, at 909-382-2832.
MARCH 20-22 WATER-FOR-WILDLIFE WORK PROJECT: The Mojave Preserve Water-for-Wildlife Volunteer Group will have a guzzler repair project in the Lanfair Valley area of the Mojave National Preserve March 20-22. Food will be provided two evenings and two mornings, but everyone should bring camping gear, water, firewood, food or lunch and snacks, and gloves. Next project dates are April 17-19 and May 1-3. For more information and directions to the camp site, contact Cliff McDonald at 760-326-2935 or via e-mail at bigmc@citlink.net.
MARCH 21-22 DEL MAR GUN SHOW: The Crossroads of the West Del Mar Gun Show will be held 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Mar. 21, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Mar. 22, at the Del Mar Fair Grounds, Del Mar. Admission is $10. The next Del Mar gun shows will tentatively be July 11-12, Oct. 3-4, and Dec. 12-13. Information, directions, and $1 off coupons available at www.crossroadsgunshows.com.
MARCH 25-29 FRED HALL DEL MAR SHOW: The Fred Hall Fishing Tackle, Boat, and Travel Show will be held March 25-29 at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. The companion show to the Long Beach event, this is the largest sportsman’s show in San Diego County. Admission to the Hall Show is $15 for adults and kids are free. For more information, go to www.fredhall.com or call 805-389-3339.
MARCH 28-29 COSTA MESA GUN SHOW: The Crossroads of the West Costa Mesa Gun Show will be held 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Mar. 28, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Mar. 29, at the Orange County Fair and Event Center (Orange County Fairgrounds), Costa Mesa. Admission is $10. The next Costa Mesa gun shows will tentatively be June 6-7, Aug. 15-16, and Nov. 28-29 (Thanksgiving weekend). Information, directions, and $1 off coupons available at www.crossroadsgunshows.com.
APRIL 4-5 BAKERSFIELD GUN SHOW: The Central Coast Gun Shows Bakersfield event will be held Saturday and Sunday, April 4-5 at the Kern County Fairgrounds, Bakersfield. The remaining 2009 dates for the Bakersfield gun shows include June 20-21, Sept. 5-6, and Nov. 21-22. Information at www.centralcoastgunshows.com or call 805-481-6726.
APRIL 17-19 WATER-FOR-WILDLIFE WORK PROJECT: The Mojave Preserve Water-for-Wildlife Volunteer Group will have a guzzler repair project in the Lanfair Valley area of the Mojave National Preserve April 17-91. Food will be provided two evenings and two mornings, but everyone should bring camping gear, water, firewood, food or lunch and snacks, and gloves. Next project date is May 1-3. For more information and directions to the camp site, contact Cliff McDonald at 760-326-2935 or via e-mail at bigmc@citlink.net.
APRIL 18-19 CONCEALED CARRY WEAPON COURSE: A 16-hour California Concealed Carry Weapon (CCW) course is being offered by Firearms Training Associates at Mike Raahauge's Shooting Enterprises this Saturday and Sunday. Cost is $180 per person. This course meets the state requirement for 16 hours of training to qualify for a CCW (not valid in San Bernardino County). Contact FTA at 714-701-9918 or 877-544-4867 for information about this class or the remaining 2009 schedule. The web site is www.ftatv.com.
MAY 1-3 WATER-FOR-WILDLIFE WORK PROJECT: The Mojave Preserve Water-for-Wildlife Volunteer Group will have a guzzler repair project in the Lanfair Valley area of the Mojave National Preserve May 1-3. Food will be provided two evenings and two mornings, but everyone should bring camping gear, water, firewood, food or lunch and snacks, and gloves. For more information and directions to the camp site, contact Cliff McDonald at 760-326-2935 or via e-mail at bigmc@citlink.net.
MAY 16-17 ONTARIO GUN SHOW: The Crossroads of the West Ontario Gun Show will be held 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, May 16, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, May 17, at the Ontario Convention Center, Ontario. Admission is $10. The next Ontario gun show will tentatively be Oct. 24-25. Information, directions, and $1 off coupons available at www.crossroadsgunshows.com.
JUNE 5-7 SHOOTING SPORTS FAIR: The Raahauge’s Shooting Sports Fair will be held Friday, June 5, through Sunday, June 7, at Mike Raahauge's Shooting Enterprises in Prado Basin. This is the only hands-on event open to the public where you can shoot virtually all of today's firearms. All major arms makers are present. Shooting exhibitions and hunting seminars all three days of event. Hours are none to 6 p.m. Friday, June 5; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, June 6; and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, June 7. Admission is $12 for adults, parking $5. Friday women admitted free. Contact Raahauge's at 951-735-7981.
JUNE 6-7 COSTA MESA GUN SHOW: The Crossroads of the West Costa Mesa Gun Show will be held 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, June 6, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, June 7, at the Orange County Fair and Event Center (Orange County Fairgrounds), Costa Mesa. Admission is $10. The next Costa Mesa gun shows will tentatively be Aug. 15-16 and Nov. 28-29 (Thanksgiving weekend). Information, directions, and $1 off coupons available at www.crossroadsgunshows.com.
JUNE 6-7 VENTURA GUN SHOW: The McMann’s Roadrunner Gun Show will be held 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, June 6, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, June 7, at Seaside Park, Ventura. Admission is $9. The next Ventura gun shows will be Sept. 12-13 and Nov. 7-8. Information, directions, and $1 off coupons available at www.mcmannsroadrunner.com.
JUNE 20-21 BAKERSFIELD GUN SHOW: The Central Coast Gun Shows Bakersfield event will be held Saturday and Sunday, June 20-21 at the Kern County Fairgrounds, Bakersfield. The next dates for the Bakersfield gun show include Sept. 5-6 and Nov. 21-22. Information at www.centralcoastgunshows.com or call 805-481-6726.
JULY 18 YOUTH SAFARI DAY: Help expose youngsters who've never had a chance to experience the outdoors by rounding up neighborhood kids, inviting single moms, and bringing your own clan to the 14th Annual Youth Outdoor Safari Day, where they can learn to fish, rock climb, shoot .22s and shotguns, kayak, make quail calls, and identify wildlife. Registration begins at 7 a.m., Saturday, July 18 at Mike Raahauge's Shooting Enterprises in Norco. Contact Raahauge's at 951-735-7981.

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