Any Himalayan Snowcock experience?

[lonespur]

Making plans for first trip into the Rubys to pursue the “Holy Grail “ of North American game birds. Anyone with good stories or lessons learned on this pursuit?

 

[6t4nova]

I hadn't heard about those before but now I'm intrigued and will be following along. Just did some google searching on them. Sounds like a rewarding but extremely difficult hunt.

 

[Sierra Hunter]

Not me, chasing ptarmigan in CA is a new goal. Sounds like a similar pursuit

 

[Brian.243]

Check out the upchukar podcast Travis has several episodes about his experience hunting snowcock

 

[Happy Antelope]

I have a friend who's been up-and-down a couple of times and never got one. Tough hunter. Find the water I've been told you'll find the birds.

 

[Mojave]

I do not know why people have to talk about this.

FNG should be banned

 

[Jacack]

I have tried twice with none located.

 

[Mod Mort]

I have done it a couple times, and have leaned a lot through failure. Expect to walk/climb, and do a lot of map work before going out. You'll find most birds on sun cliffs early in the morning. There is nothing better in bird hunting, than the pursuit of a Snowcock. I have experience out from Lamoille Canyon, but there are better options.

 

[Sierra Hunter]

I have done it a couple times, and have leaned a lot through failure. Expect to walk/climb, and do a lot of map work before going out. You'll find most birds on sun cliffs early in the morning. There is nothing better in bird hunting, than the pursuit of a Snowcock. I have experience out from Lamoille Canyon, but there are better options.

Have you found success yet or any good opportunities. Curious your estimates on numbers of birds in a canyon/drainage

 

[thinhorn_AK]

I do not know why people have to talk about this.

FNG should be banned

Project upland or whatever those guys are called already blew it up. The secret is out.

 

[Sierra Hunter]

Project upland or whatever those guys are called already blew it up. The secret is out.

I get it and hate to see things blown up as much as the next guy but I’d doubt many folks have the desire to chase them the way that’s necessary. I see the way most folks approach chukar and I’m not too worried.

 

[BBob]

I never hunted them but saw plenty of them in the Ruby’s way back when we hunted it often. I didn’t know they existed till one time during our first trip I was on a stalk where I came around a bush and there was this big ol bird. Both of us were startled and neither of us moved for a few seconds until it flew off. I didn’t know what it was until I got home and did some research. I was totally baffled as to what it could be at the time. Pretty fun though

Even though I like a challenge this would be quite the challenge. If they are anything like they used to be they are few and far between.

 

[Mod Mort]

Have you found success yet or any good opportunities. Curious your estimates on numbers of birds in a canyon/drainage

I was doing it back in 2016 when there was little information out there and it was learn as you go, but I did see birds. Not a lot, but I had opportunities. I hiked nearly 40 miles the one weekend I saw the most, and I don't think any were in the canyons.