Most chukars are placed for dog training and field trials, not for hunting
per se.  They occasionally escape, but seldom survive for very long and never
breed in the moist eastern part of the US.  They are a bird that thrives in dry,
mountainous regions of the West.

Chukars are also used for hunting on hunting preserves, where they, along
with quail, pheasants and/or mallards are released just prior to a "hunt."  I
know of no preserves on the western shore of the Chesapeake, although there may
well be a few.  Most in Maryland are located on the Eastern Shore.

Birds released on hunting preserves also sometimes escape, seldom survive and
almost never breed.  The possible exception is mallards.

Virtually no one releases chukars any more just hoping that they will
establish themselves for hunting.  It may even be illegal.

Chukars seen near Hughes Hollow are almost certainly ones used for field
trials that are commonly held at McKee Beshers Wildlife Management Area that
birders like to call Hughes Hollow.

Bob Mumford
Darnestown