Friday Fave: Chukar hunter’s handbook: bird hunting experts’ advice plus my 34 years of questionable success
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Scott Linden, host of the Upland Nation podcast, delivers a comprehensive and personal guide to chukar hunting in this solo episode, drawing from 34 years of experience and insights from fellow hunters. He emphasizes the importance of physical preparation, dog conditioning, and strategic planning, while detailing key habitat indicators like cheatgrass, water sources, and vertical terrain. Scott shares practical advice on gun selection, choke tubes, shot size, and shooting techniques tailored to the unique challenges of chukar hunting—such as long, difficult shots and birds that fly downhill. He also highlights the need for self-sufficiency in remote areas, the value of local knowledge from biologists, mail carriers, and small-town residents, and the importance of respecting wildlife and terrain. The episode blends storytelling with actionable tips, celebrating the rugged beauty and unpredictability of chukar country while underscoring the deep bond between hunter, dog, and wild landscape.
Chukars are where you find them—search for cheatgrass, water sources, and rocky terrain even after wildfires.
Train your dog to handle running birds and use GPS/e-collars for silent communication in the field.
Choke your gun tighter than usual (improved cylinder or modified) and use #6 shot for reliable knockdowns.
Avoid driving to the top of draws; instead, hike up stealthily to avoid spooking birds at the bottom.
Use natural cover and strategic positioning to approach birds without alerting them.
…and 3 more takeaways available in PodZeus
Welcome & The Chukar Hunting Mindset
Scott introduces the episode with enthusiasm, framing chukar hunting as a bucket-list pursuit and a test of endurance, skill, and connection with wild terrain. He sets the tone for a deeply personal, experience-based guide.
Habitat & Preparation: The Foundation of Success
“If there's no cheatgrass, there's probably no birds. Cheatgrass is an invasive weed... but the birds eat a lot of that.”
Access & Local Wisdom: Beyond the Map
“Sometimes the best data comes from the front desk person. Happened a couple seasons ago for me and it will probably happen again if I'm lucky.”
Tactics & Strategy: How to Hunt the Birds
“Chuckers run uphill and then fly downhill. So don't even bother chasing them up the hill—get to the top and push from the top down.”
The Hunt in Action: Lessons from the Field
Scott recounts real-life hunting scenarios—burnt landscapes, obsidian fields, and surprise flushes—to illustrate how unpredictability defines chukar hunting. He emphasizes adaptability, awareness, and the role of the dog.
“It's not the number of birds in your bag, it's the number of stories you have to tell afterwards.”
“Chuckers run uphill and then fly downhill. So don't even bother chasing them up the hill—get to the top and push from the top down.”
“If there's no cheatgrass, there's probably no birds. Cheatgrass is an invasive weed... but the birds eat a lot of that.”
Host
Scott Linden
person
Upland Nation
media
cheatgrass
other
LandTrust.com
product
Pointer Shotguns
brand
TruLock Chokes
product
Sage and Breaker Gun Care
brand
MidwayUSA.com
product
Purina Pro Plan Sport Dog Food
product
Mid Valley Clays and Shooting School
organization
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