October 2023 - 37

approaching them.
When hunting upland birds without a dog whatever
the time of day, saunter through prime habitat
zigzagging and stopping frequently. Pheasants,
sharptails and partridges are often happy to let a
marching hunter on a consistent route walk by.
In heavy pheasant cover, it's helpful to sometimes
double-back in a slightly different trajectory. The
goal is to incite birds to flush rather than hunker
down or run.
" Where there's one there's more, " is an accurate
adage for upland birds. After a covey of chukars has
lifted from a hillside, a wayward bird or two often
remain. Ditto for pheasants that don't form intact
coveys but are frequently found in the company of
their own kind. On countless occasions birds have
flushed in front of me or other hunters after their
fellows departed, often escaping the unsuspecting
humans unharmed. Remain prepared to shoot after
the first flush and always work the vicinity of a flush
for additional birds.
SCOUT, GLASS, TRACK
Committed big game hunters spend time scouting
for their quarry before the hunt. Dog-less bird
hunters should do the same. Cruising graveled
backroads early and late in the day is an excellent
way to locate upland birds drawn to the roadside
grit necessary for digestion.
It's also possible to discover the whereabouts
of birds by glassing. I've spotted pheasants and
other birds with binoculars, scanning cover from
an elevated position like I'd survey the country for
white-tailed deer or pronghorn. The size and color
of rooster pheasants make them easier to spot than
partridges, but I've determined the location of sage
and sharp-tailed grouse while glassing. Focusing on
transition areas, particularly the fringes of fields and
other food sources along with the edges of heavy
cover generally yields the most success.
Late-season hunting, when pressure decreases
and the weather becomes wintry, offers excellent
opportunities for dog-less hunters. The birds are
often spookier, but they also tend to congregate in
areas protected from the wind and exposed to sun.
The greatest advantage, though, occurs when
there's snow on the ground. Three-toed prints from
partridges or pheasants give unmistakable evidence
of their presence. Fresh tracks can sometimes be
followed to the feathered makers of the prints. I've
successfully followed the trails of sharptails, chukars
and pheasants to harvest birds.
The assistance and companionship of a friendly
dog certainly increase the fun and productivity of
an upland bird hunt. But with the proper attitude
and tactics, it's possible to enjoy dog-gone good
bird hunting.
- Jack Ballard is a freelance writer and regular contributor to
Wyoming Wildlife magazine.
If hunting birds without a dog, it is important to spend time scouting for your quarry. (Photo by Jack Ballard)
Transition areas, particularly the fringes of fields and other food sources along the edges of heavy cover,
generally yield the most success for upland birds. (Photo by Lisa Ballard)
Wyoming Wildlife | 37

October 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of October 2023