Idaho presents a deep-rooted legacy of bird hunting with plenty of options of game with wide-open land, and unique perspective from the hunters themselves.
Bird hunters cast a different gaze upon the landscape, a gaze that sets them apart from those who have never ventured into the field with a shotgun and a dog. As they journey through the Sun Valley area and its neighboring counties, upland hunters and waterfowl hunters find themselves gazing out of their windows at the picturesque valley with a sense of wonder.
Each avalanche chute, every fence line, every row of corn, and every body of water, be it a lake, marsh, or river, is not just a scenic view but a canvas for three critical questions: “How many game birds might live there? How many migrate there? And is there public access?”
Drive north from Sun Valley, and hunters will encounter forest grouse to the Canadian border, although Galena Summit is close enough. Venturing slightly over the summit and up the Salmon River, you’re suddenly in Chukar and Partridge country.
Drive east from Sun Valley, and more forest grouse will be found heading over Trail Creek Summit. These eventually give way to sage grouse, which gives way to chukar and, a few hours later, sharptailed grouse.
Drive west, and it’s more forest grouse, including ruffed grouse, which mix with Hungarian Partridge, chukar and quail through desert canyons and thick riparian zones throughout the river and creek bottoms, all the way to Boise.
Finally, if one were to head south, hunters would enter one of the finest waterfowl areas in the western states. A true waterfowl Mecca exists most seasons close to Silver Creek and south to the Snake River, including its adjacent corn and grain fields. Besides a huge variety of ducks and greater Canada geese, the Snake River Plain is where hunters would find the majestic pheasant, dove, quail, Huns, and chukar.
The Sun Valley area checks several boxes for hunters. Variety is one of those check marks. Not only is the Sun Valley area a world-class bird hunting area, but it is also a fantastic place for a beginner to navigate the sport. In the valley and surrounding area, hunters will find access to dog trainers and breeders of many local favorites, such as Labrador tetrievers, golden retrievers, setters, and Brittanys.
Starting out in bird hunting, it is only sometimes necessary to begin with a fully trained dog; eventually, the dogs become the reason for the pursuit. There are two ways to overcome this first hurdle until you decide if you like the sport and want to commit to one or more canine family members. The first is to simply go hunting without a dog. One of the joys of grouse hunting is that they can be found without the aid of a dog’s nose. Wander into the most likely areas, and you will come across coveys of these beautiful birds. Avalanche chutes, old logging/mining roads, aspen stands, or steep snowberry-covered hills with some waters nearby are all you need to find. Just commit to a few early mornings and late fall evenings.
The second suggestion is to find a mentor and, with that said, be able to be mentored. This means safety first. If you see someone gracious enough to help, you learn this sport and return the favor by being hyper-diligent about gun safety, especially how to be safe in the field and around other people’s dogs. Once invited, you are essentially hunting with two best friends, and you are the third party, so ask lots of questions, follow instructions closely and act with all the caution in the world!
When a hunter is ready to take the full leap into the sport, it will come after a love is found for a certain dog breed. That love will translate into a working relationship, and a new hunter will experience a bond with an animal that goes well beyond “family pet” and into one of the team. A few seasons of teamwork and, eventually, a glance in one direction is all that may be needed to send your companion that way. Taking a bird from a retriever’s mouth to your hand becomes an act of gratitude and respect. There is no finer joy in hunting than a well-seasoned and well-loved hunting dog.
Another hunting box checked in the Sun Valley area is this amazing landscape’s sheer beauty and wildness. With all the parts in place, including canines, shotguns, boots, whistles, decoys and four-wheel drive, hunters are ready to experience what is truly hard to put into words in a world experienced by few people.
One morning, the soft light of Silver Creek will peek over the horizon, and the first beams of the filtered sun will hit the greenbacks of your well-placed decoys. The sounds of whistling wings overhead will overpower the effects of 5:00 a.m. caffeine, and as a grin takes over your face, you will know your journey was worth it.
When you are on a high-desert ridgeline above one of the many surrounding reservoirs, watching as your dog locks onto a point, you step forth, sending a 50-strong covey of chukar into the afternoon sky, and you fire your shotgun, dropping two for the pot, you’ll wonder why you didn’t start hunting years ago.
Soon, an evening will come, and you’ll look from a steep forest hill to the floor of Sun Valley, where you can see the distant hustle and bustle of traffic moving here and there. You’ll smell fresh sage and fir. Perhaps you’ll see your dog abruptly change direction through the snowberries. You will know that the blue grouse are close. You may feel a pocket of warm air wafting up the mountainside, overcoming the chilly fall evening. In that moment, you’ll swell with the pride and fearlessness needed to be here.
Many like these instances will give new hunters a more intimate look into the Sun Valley landscape and provide an excellent excuse to explore more of Idaho. Bird hunting in south central Idaho should be noticed. From Hagerman on the Snake River to Stanley at the foot of the Sawtooth Range, thousands of bird-hunting adventures are waiting to be found.
TO THE POINT
As their name implies, Hungarian partridge (Huns) is native to Hungary and some neighboring countries. Chukar partridge comes from the Middle East, like Pakistan and Afghanistan. Pheasants are native to China. Some quail and all grouse are native Idaho birds.
Most hunters in the area shoot 20-gauge and 12-gauge shotguns. A classic over/under barrel arrangement is an excellent gun to learn. Try to find brands that go to “Auto Safe” after discharge. Check Idaho Fish and Game for local Hunter Safety courses, which are typically two-day classes, a requirement for almost all hunters to obtain a hunting license.
Local legend Ernest Hemingway was a bird hunter and spent plenty of time afield in the Sun Valley area. A collection of his guns and many vintage photos can be viewed at Picabo Angler near Silver Creek. Most area outfitters offer a guide service for hunting, and the gun clubs can be a great place to find good, safe shooting instructions.
It is not uncommon to find local restaurants and chefs around Sun Valley that will, with some prior notice, prepare game birds harvested and dressed locally. This has been an unspoken tradition between hunters and chefs in this area for many years.