Ptarmigan lower 48

[Sierra Hunter]

All of a sudden all I can think about it chasing ptarmigan in my home state of CA, I tried last year and have been thinking about my backpack scouting missions ever since. I don’t know anyone that’s don’t it in CA. With all the BAs on here I’m sure someone is doing it in CO,UT if not CA. Would love to hear about it and maybe some helpful insight. I found some sign in a willow patch next a high alpine lake around 10k but never turned up a bird.

 

[Ownthewest]

I saw one at 12,000 feet in Colorado last September. Open hillside full of buckbrush. No willows or water insight. Like you, I now have the itch to hunt them. Thanks for starting this thread.

 

[Sierra Hunter]

I saw one at 12,000 feet in Colorado last September. Open hillside full of buckbrush. No willows or water insight. Like you, I now have the itch to hunt them. Thanks for starting this thread.

They’re in such cool country, I mean why not go hike up there.

 

[LongWayAround]

I have seen them heading up Long's Peak but haven't ever made an attempt at them (outside the park).

 

[Sierra Hunter]

Got it done in CA

 

[johnnycake]

Nicely done! Ptarmigan are a straight up riot

 

[seww]

Got it done in CA

Ptarmigan in CA?? That's insane!
I've hunted these birds back in Sweden in the cold of winter on skis. One of the best hunt there is!

I know I read that they do exist in UT at high altitudes of course, never had a chance to try and find them. Have not read any reports of ptarmigans here in Idaho but wouldn't be surprised if they're chilling up high.

 

[Fowl Play]

Got it done in CA

Badass! As a bird hunter at heart I sneak a few grouse midday while elk hunting. If I ever came across some ptarmigan though… it would suddenly become a bird hunt.

 

[Sierra Hunter]

Ptarmigan in CA?? That's insane!
I've hunted these birds back in Sweden in the cold of winter on skis. One of the best hunt there is!

I know I read that they do exist in UT at high altitudes of course, never had a chance to try and find them. Have not read any reports of ptarmigans here in Idaho but wouldn't be surprised if they're chilling up high.

I thought it was crazy too, so far I don’t personally know anyone that’s hunted them here. Lots of effort for a couple birds haha

 

[huntsd]

I thought it was crazy too, so far I don’t personally know anyone that’s hunted them here. Lots of effort for a couple birds haha

Ptarmigan hunting in CA is the equivalent of ordering a Shirley temple

 

[seww]

I thought it was crazy too, so far I don’t personally know anyone that’s hunted them here. Lots of effort for a couple birds haha

Haha I can imagine!

We usually ski around in the snow, trying to see them as they are white in the winter. Super hard but super fun to knock em down with 22's. Sometimes the bird next to them wouldn't know what happened and you could pop another one right after.
There're so many back there, I think the daily limit per person is like 8-9 birds. But still no full freezer

 

[seww]

That's a pretty good representation of what it looks like. Now it could be -40 degrees during this hunt in January/February...