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HUNTING NEWS CATEGORIES
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Bird Hunting Vest
The Himalayan Snowcock is incredibly easy to spook and the hunt is definitely more of a big game pursuit than your stereotypical day in the uplands. It would’ve been nice to have a practical way to carry ammo, water and snacks. But having to carry a bird vest on top of the rest of your gear adds unnecessary weight, and if your vest has blaze orange, it will also make it easier for the birds to see you. I opted for a small daypack and an ammo belt and was able to move freely in the mountains, carry all the gear I needed for the day and remain concealed. Like everything in this gear list, this is purely a personal preference and a decision you’ll have to make after weighing your backpack.
Optics
Optics are rarely used in the upland world but in this pursuit it is a vital tool for success. Unless the birds expose themselves through flight or calling, they are incredibly hard to locate, even with binoculars. I’d hate to have to do it with the naked eye! The birds are incredibly easy to flush and if you reveal yourself, you could miss your only opportunity. Every time we came up on the crest of another ridge we would stop and glass with the hope of seeing them before they saw us. To give you an idea of how easy these birds are to spook, we flushed a large group from well over a quarter of a mile away while up on a ridgeline. Look carefully and move slowly!
Bird Dogs
We had a lot of conversations about bringing our dogs on the hunt. But after spending a few days up there scouting, it confirmed our conclusions that this isn’t the best place to bring man’s best friend. And it wouldn’t even be advantageous! Remember, this is more of a big game hunt, so moving quietly and stalking the birds is the preferred method of pursuit. They are so easy to spook that I’d be amazed if they ever held for a point.
You must also keep in mind your dog’s safety. This terrain is unforgiving. Making sure you stay safe on top of a thousand foot cliff was hard enough. It would be very distracting keeping an eye on your dog at the same time. While there are no briars or cacti, our multi-day trip gallivanting across scree fields was very hard on us– just think what it’d do to your dog’s pads! If you’re going for a fast and light one day trip from the car, I believe it’s possible to bring your dog with you; however, I don’t think of it as an advantage. Only you can make that call.
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The Epic Hunt for Nevada Himalayan Snowcock - Continued
Submitted by: Backcountry Press Outdoor News
Posted on: 02/25/19
Article # A19-2120
Camp Kitchen
Camp stoves and fuel can get very heavy, so choose wisely here. Any light backpacking stove will do the trick, but we used the Campchef Stryker 200 as the main stove for the group and carried a small backup, just in case.
The 1.3 liter capacity was enough for 2 meals and coffee and the quick boiling time meant we spent more time eating than watching our water boil (2 minutes for 0.5 liter). They also use a slightly different ‘heat ring technology’ which increases efficiency by 30 percent; this meant that one 8 ounce can of fuel was enough for the whole team during our trip.
We all survived off dehydrated meals during our adventure and got to try a variety of brands and flavors. Comforts in the mountains are few and far between, so make sure you know you like the meal before you head up! The Backpacker’s Pantry Pad Thai was the overwhelming favorite of the group on this trip.
While hunting you sometimes end up miles away from camp and it’s important to carry lots of snacks to keep you going. The high altitude can also give you a dry mouth, so carrying candy can make you a little more comfortable up there. Using a performance sweet snack such as Clif Bloks can help as they contain carbs and sometimes caffeine. Beef jerky is another tried and true performance food. My personal favorites are the offerings from Field Trip Snacks, perfectly seasoned and moist – some of the best jerky I’ve ever had!
Hunting these amazing birds is certainly a test of your physical strength and endurance. It will also test your mental willpower. After hiking all the way above the tree line to get to the elevations where this species lives, you still may or may not be able to hunt one.
Getting close enough to shoot at one might be even harder given the lack of cover available. But if you can make a plan come together, you will find yourself among a very elite group of people who can make such a claim. And that’s a pretty awesome achievement.
Several Sources made this article possible: Cover image courtesy of https://www.hbw.com/ - Article and images information courtesy of proper-gear-for-a-himalayan-snowcock-hunt and https://projectupland.com/
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