California ptarmigan

[SoCalhunt88]

Made it out for the first time to try and chase these guys, they were introduced back in the 70s and have since made some roots in the high country. Out here our tree line ends around 10k and is about where it’s rumored these birds live. That being said, all I found was some old sign and that’s after 17 human miles and 46 canine miles. Great trip and I’ll try and get back soon to see if I can turn one up. Anyone out there chase ptarmigan in the lower 48, and insight?

 

[old270hunter]

I spend my share of time fishing above 10k feet in the Southern and Eastern half Sierras, and have never seen a ptarmigan. Can't say I look for them, but I'm sure if I saw one I'd have taken taken interest and made a mental note. Maybe I've just not been in the part of the Sierras that they use when I'm there?

 

[SoCalhunt88]

I spend my share of time fishing above 10k feet in the Southern and Eastern half Sierras, and have never seen a ptarmigan. Can't say I look for them, but I'm sure if I saw one I'd have taken taken interest and made a mental note. Maybe I've just not been in the part of the Sierras that they use when I'm there?

They say they’re between bishop and Lee vining… bordering the park

 

[old270hunter]

They say they’re between bishop and Lee vining… bordering the park

Nice to know. I was at North Lake (above Bishop) and the 2 other little lakes just above North Lake in May, and did not see any. Will pay closer attention next time for sure.

 

[glass eye]

I mounted one for a ornithologist who works for F&G. He got it in the Eastern Sierras.

I follow my on Facebook my rock climbing teacher from High School who is still very active in the Sierra Nevada and I remember he took some pics of some and named the area. I'll have to go back and research.
That's something that I've been wanting to do.

 

[glass eye]

I hunt for new bird species all over North America, primarily waterfowl and collecting them all diy.
A good resource is to browse birding forums because they openly discuss locations of specific species.

 

[SoCalhunt88]

I thought the same but couldn’t find any info when I checked

 

[SoCalhunt88]

Finally got it done.

 

[Sask hunter]

Congrats!

 

[Beignet]

I admire the tenacity, nice!

 

[BirdManMike]

Pretty neat!

In the realm of non natives, surely Himalayan snow @#)(# is the next challenge.

 

[SoCalhunt88]

Pretty neat!

In the realm of non natives, surely Himalayan snow @#)(# is the next challenge.

Not sure why but they don’t jump out at me, maybe it’s the no dog thing. I’d rather go chase ptarmigan again and get them dialed.

 

[LuketheDog]

Awesome! I bumped into a few of them the other day...

 

[SoCalhunt88]

Awesome! I bumped into a few of them the other day...

View attachment 291869

Great shot, their feet are cool.

 

[Irrelevant]

Not sure why but they don’t jump out at me, maybe it’s the no dog thing. I’d rather go chase ptarmigan again and get them dialed.

You can't use a dog?

 

[SoCalhunt88]

You can't use a dog?

I don’t think people do because their habitat is in the rocks/cliffs.

 

[Irrelevant]

I don’t think people do because their habitat is in the rocks/cliffs.

sounds like chukar...

 

[mevertsen]

sounds like chukar...

Worse. Like 1000 foot cliffs. Basically someone climbs to the top of the cliff, flushes the bird off and a guy at the bottom of the cliff hopes to be able to be in a reasonable distance of where they land to get one before they go back up the cliffs. I wouldn't hunt them with dog in that country.

 

[Irrelevant]

Worse. Like 1000 foot cliffs. Basically someone climbs to the top of the cliff, flushes the bird off and a guy at the bottom of the cliff hopes to be able to be in a reasonable distance of where they land to get one before they go back up the cliffs. I wouldn't hunt them with dog in that country.

Gotcha.

 

[mevertsen]

View attachment 291915
Gotcha.

Oyyy. I guess people just have to argue.

Yes. It's bad. Can't say I've ever hunted chukar in stuff that bad. Anyone I have ever known avoid that type of country.

Lamoille Canyon in NV for the snowcock.

In the photo above... think birds more flighty than chukar dropping off the cliff and going to the river. It would take quite a dedicated person to be able to use a dog from the top, jump the bird and make it to where they land, with a dog and get there before the birds are gone, and not get the human or dog hurt.