Hunting Chukar with a lab?

[Spear]

This past week my hunting buddy and a friend went to hunt up some Chukar. I could not make it so he took his lab. He felt that my pointer would have done a better job. His dog chased every thing up too far away. It could be that the cover was down and the Chukar had no cover to hide in but in my experience with my Brit, he holds point and I flush, not much gets by you that way. Any thoughts on this one.

[rleclair]

Nothing against pointers, they do an excellent job but I prefer using retrievers.

When a pointer "locks up" it is a beautiful thing to watch and admire. It gives you lots of time to get ready and even discuss who will take the shot.

The retrievers (or any flushing breed for that matter) there is less certainty as to where the bird is, and they usually don't hold tight. I just find it a bit more exciting (personal choice) as there is more "unknown".

Your buddy's lab sounds like it needs a bit of training as it is probably quartering and hunting too far out of range. It may also be pushing the birds (running) and then tracking them. You do have to keep up in this case.

If you (or your buddy) would like to see a simulated chukar hunt using retrievers, come on out to our Upland Hunt Test in Brantford on April 14. You will see some amazing dog (retriever) work on chukars.

Send me an e-mail or PM if you want directions or more info.

[Huntingonthebrain]

where are you hunting them??? Just curious.. I am from the london area and would love to let my brit smell some out. Thanks

[Jixer]

HuntingOnTheBrain- For chuckars, you basicly have three choices.

1. Go to a game farm.
2. Buy some birds from hatchery.
3. Go to Nevada?

I like option 3.

[Huntingonthebrain]

3 is a great dream, but unlikely, 1 is not bad.. 2... well where is a hatchery locally???

[luvmylabs]

Question??? I was always told that chuckars do not have the same hunting rules as pheasants and other partridge. Did not think they were under the game bird act. If this is true, could you not hunt them anywhere, like you can pigeons. Places like wildlife areas and, with permission, a farmer's field. Is this not true?

Anne

[Jixer]

Spear- It is just a different style of hunting. With a flusher, you need to keep the dog in range and keep ready. Usually you can read the dog and know when it is hot on the trail. My experience hunting pheasant over a lab that loves upland-You better keep up!


HuntingOnTheBrain
You can probably get some chukars at a game farm. Maybe goldcreek? If you want to drive a bit further, Wayne Gerber sells birds.

This is his ad that used to be on "huntontario":strangle:

FOR SALE chukar partridge and quail (Bob White & Tennessee Red). Chicks started and mature birds available. Great for dog training and field trials. Closed Sundays. Wayne Gerber 519-656- 3342.

He is near Wellesley.
2394 Manser Rd RR 1
Millbank, ON N0K 1L0


On a completely unrelated matter, did you know that if you buy birds for the intention of eating, ie meat birds, they are not taxed, but if you buy them for dog training they are taxable?

Luvmylabs, I believe that you need a permit to release the birds. Best bet is to call the MNR.

[Spear]

Huntingonthebrain, up untill the end of March you could go to goldcreek, which is in the London area. A great place to go. From now until the fall Goldcreek is open for dog training only. Not sure what that looks like in terms of fees but here is the web site with all the info. http://www.goldcreek.ca/index.html Call, I think you will find Edwin a very amiable and helpful person.

[Big Bird]

Question??? I was always told that chuckars do not have the same hunting rules as pheasants and other partridge. Did not think they were under the game bird act. If this is true, could you not hunt them anywhere, like you can pigeons. Places like wildlife areas and, with permission, a farmer's field. Is this not true?

Anne
Chukars are not a game bird in Ontario, and there fore can be used for training with your dog 12 months a year.You can use a firearm when training with chukars! You can train with quail and pheasants but must possess a training permit and must never have a firearm in your posession while training unless you are on a licenced game farm. There are some new restrictions on the use of chukars that the MNR have put in place. I believe they are centred on who has and where they are released as a monitor for avian flu. I am currently having them send me the rulings for our club, and once received I may be able to post them.

You will require a training permit from the MNR.

[luvmylabs]

Thanks Big Bird. If you could post them, that would be great. We usually hunt chuckars at a game farm, but have released them elsewhere in the past.

Anne

[Sportdog]

If people are interested Gold Creek will have chuckers until May 15th this year then training after that.
www.goldcreek.ca or Ed at 519-878-9588
Sportdog

[Sportdog]

Finally had a great chucker hunt with my setter. I got the day off
Sportdog

[Big Bird]

Below is correspondence that I wrote and has been proofed read by the MNR for publication in the Ontario Grand River Chapter NAVHDA newsletter. I hope this is helpful.


Training Permits required for Hunting Dogs


Before you set out to train your dog you best make sure you have the correct permits.

The Ministry of Natural Resources show in the hunting Regulations summary that “ You must have an authorization or license issued from a local MNR office to conduct dog training and or field trials on game mammals and or game birds during a closed season or an appropriate hunting license during the open season”.
There are several types of permits that you may need. You may need one or more depending on the training circumstances you are involved in.

Permit to conduct field trials for Hunting Dogs: this allows you to administer a field trial for hunting dogs. If you are attending a test or trial the sanctioning body applies for the permits. If you were hosting an event you would be wise to verify your need. When applying for the “Permit to Conduct Field Trial for Hunting Dogs” you musty list on the application the dates of each event. This authorization must be available for inspection at the trial along with a list of participants. The form is available at no cost to the applicant. You will not be able shoot birds using this permit.

Permit to Conduct Training of Hunting Dogs: This permit allows you to train your dog in the locations that you state. It is only required if you are using live game mammals or game birds. You must identify on the form the species of game mammal or game birds you will be training your dog on. This permit can be issued for multiple areas. If you are training on game birds you are required to obtain an Authorization to Release Game Birds in addition to your training permit. (See release permit section below). You may list additional persons that may be training with you. This authorization must be carried on you at all times while training. The permit is available at no cost to the applicant.

The above permits are applied for on the same form called “Authorization to Conduct Field Trials and Training during the Closed Season”. They are available through your local Ministry of Natural Resources office.

It is important to note that you will be able to release game birds such as Pheasants and Bob White Quail, but you will not be able to shoot these birds out of season during a trail or while training with the “Authorization to Conduct Field Trials and Training during the Closed Season” permit. You must not be in possession of a firearm while training with Pheasants or Quail during a closed season.
You can train with Chukar and be in procession of a firearm. Shooting of these birds is legal as there is no season in Ontario for hunting.

Rock pigeons, (barn pigeons) are not considered game birds and can be used to shot during training with out a permit.


Release Permit This permit will allow you to release a specified species and number of birds, both game birds and chukars for training and trials. It specifies the number of each bird and the location of release that you will be releasing at a time. The Release Permit is available at no cost to the applicant.


License to Keep Game birds In Captivity Permit The permit has an annual fee of $20.80 per calendar year and will allow you to keep, buy, sell and propagate those game birds listed in the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act Schedule 3. The only time you are not required to obtain a permit is if you are keeping pheasants less than 10 days; however you require a license if you are selling ring necked pheasants. .

You do not require a permit if you release the birds with the 10 days of purchasing them from a party that is licensed to be in procession. If you are keeping birds for training you must retain the receipt of purchase of the birds, and the receipt must show the date of sale, number of birds purchased, species and your name. Again, keeping game birds longer than 10 days is illegal with out this permit.


Game Farm Permit To apply for this permit you must have a minimum of 40 hect and not more than 143 hect. The permit allows for the release and shooting of specified game birds during the closed hunting season while on the registered farm property. A signed receipt must accompany you if you leave the game farm with harvested birds to show that you did receive these birds while at a licensed game farm. The receipt must state the date, and the number of birds that you have and the species. The fee for this permit is $143.93. It is best you discuss this permit with you local MNR personal.



We must monitor our activities while training to protect the wild life. If we allow our dogs to disturb wild birds during nesting, we are endangering the future of that wild game. Respect the game, and give fair chase during an open season.


For additional information on permits that apply to your training program, contact your local area office of the Ministry of Natural resources. The area contacts are listed below:

MNR contacts:
Guelph / Niagara/Clinton Kathy Richardson
Peterbough Lorraine Norris
Alymer Fred Johnson (tempory)

[Maverick]

Great picture SportDog!!Good to see you get some time to get out once in a while.

Mav.....

[luvmylabs]

Big Bird,

Thanks for the update. I think they are trying to permit us to death.

Anne