Hey everyone, I'm new to the forum here. I'm an avid bird hunter from South Carolina, and enjoy traveling all over the United States in pursuit of new adventures. I've hunted for and taken all the species of waterfowl in North America, and am getting into Upland birds. I shot my first wild Bobwhite Quail two years ago, just outside of El Campo, on what was my last trip with my old yellow lab, Daisy. She has now passed on, but hopefully will get a new pup in a couple of years when my now 9 month old son is a little older.

I'm planning a trip to South Texas next month, mid December to try my luck for a Chachalaca or two, and maybe a couple White Wing Doves and White Tipped Doves. I'm not looking for limits of any species, but a few birds to get mounted.

With the limited information on Chachalaca hunting online, I've not had much luck getting any firm plans together. I've called the manager at Las Palomas WMA and left several messages over the months with no response. I've tried posting an ad on Craigslist even, but got no response there either. Despite this, I'm coming down anyway, because I can't hunt Chachalaca here in SC. I wanted to reach out to y'all here, and see if anyone might know of someone with some land that I could hunt them on, or another option for public land to look into. I'm not looking for a freebie here, I'll be happy to pay per day/per bird, etc. Or help anyone out who might want to travel for waterfowl. I have a bunch of contacts all over for various species. Thank y'all for any help y'all might can offer. I look forward to sharing my South Texas adventure next month, regardless of what I get or don't get. It'll be my first trip that far south in Texas, so I'll enjoy it either way. Thank you again, for any help. Chris

Nobody hunts chachalaca. They like thick brush and don't hold well. About the only Chachalacas shot are those raiding gardens in Brownsville or McAllen. I used to have a friend who shot them with his pellet gun when they got into his tomatoes. People in the valley have them come to feeders a lot. Some will react to your inquiries as if you are asking to shoot songbirds.

However, if you must shoot one, Las Palomas is a good bet. Listen for their call early in the morning; especially on cloudy or overcast days. If calling they will be in taller cover but cruise down to thick brush as you approach. You will recognize the call---movie makers put it on their soundtracks all the time when they film jungle movies. If you shoot one, there is a good chance it will fall into thick brush--be ready to crawl or have a dog that will.

for more info google Sly and the family Stone.

Ok. Thanks for the input. I'll be by myself, and won't have a dog. If I'm not successful this trip, it'll at least be a good trip to learn and come back another year better prepared. Just getting to be in a new place that I have never been to, will be fun. Thank you again.

Another thought. If you are willing to pay, contact the Texas Parks and Wildlife office in Brownsville. Tell them what you are about. They may be able to put onto a quail or deer guide in Willacy County who can find you a chance and chachalacas. Another possibility is this outfit:
http://elcaneloranch.com/history.html

I left the office in Brownsville a message today, along with putting in a call at Las Palomas WMA. Got to finally talk with the guy there, and he was very nice and helpful with suggestions. Going to start looking into guide services in the area and getting their thoughts. Will try the folks you mentioned too. Thanks again!

Here is the only post I have seen where someone reported actually shooting one:

http://texashuntingforum.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/6004531/Re:_chachalaca...#Post6004531


Cass

Hey Daisy!

I am the guy that got the Chachalaca in on the previous thread last year. Hit me up and I'll fill you in...It sounds like the two of us have a lot in common.

Greg aka goosehunter51

Sent you a PM, Greg. Thanks!

Here is a thread on another forum with a story of hunting chacalaca using a cat as a bird dog.
I don't know if true but a good read.
A few years ago I asked (not here) people about hunting them, all I got was smart remarks referring to the song.

M

http://www.levergunscommunity.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=38182

I've gotten a lot of laughing as the initial response when I call an outfitter in the valley area and tell them I'm wanting to come hunt Chachalaca. Have hit a lot of dead ends, but I have a couple good leads with two guys I have spoke with. Plus I will try public land too. Hope to get a White Wing and White tipped Doves 5oo. I'll be down there for the dove opener.

I had to search for 5 yrs before I got mine. It was worth the wait - just got my mounts back yesterday. www.gentlemanfarmer.net
I didn't want to try them in the WMA so I just kept asking anyone I met if they knew a farmer in the RGV. They really like the resacas and that's farmland.
Finally found a farmer who had them and would let me hunt them. Happy to share that guy if you still want one.

Headed out for a Snow [censored] tomorrow morning!

OK, Snowcock - lets see if this get's censored

Okay, had to look up. First time I have ever heard the word Chachalaca. If they are invasive pest that raids gardens, seems like there would be lots of folks looking for eradication.

I would love to hear about that experience when you get back.

https://tpwmagazine.com/archive/2002/feb/ed_2/
have toyed with going down to the valley...
even talked to TPWD

I done what you are attempting to do, This is the location south of Santa Maria Texas on the river road. These is the Anaucha unit of the los Palomas. I was able to shot Chachalaca, white tipped, white, & morning on the same hunt. was not uncommon to shot a Chachalaca and a few white wing. The Chachalaca and Tipped doves are dense cover birds. I would get there at day light and listen for the Chachalaca ( what the hell! )calling and do your best to crawl to them. do not think that your shots are going to be long, and please do not be a wait till it fly's kinda fella. It may not happen, they can run threw the trees. Good luck

I know this thread is a few yrs old however I also hunt chachalaca. I hunt primarily the Las Paloma's WMA's for rabbit/quail/chachalaca starting in November thru the end of February. Mostly at Ebony and I've seen them over at Anacua. For chachalaca at Ebony what worked for me was to get there right before sunup and sit by the prairie trail that they mow thru the fields and watch for them to cross over towards the Resaca. I use a 20 gauge full choke & #6 lead shot as trying to get close to them is both not fun & unproductive. They spend most of their time either on the ground or in very thick cover and hop away from you. At Anacua I found them over in the NW woody section of the property. By where they store the tractors/etc. You may have to go out in the woods. Forget taking that shot on a rising chachalaca like a pheasant. It's not going to happen. But if the dove are slow & you wanna go home with something, it's better than nothing lol. If anyone wants to tag along, give me a holler.

oh and PS. don't bring your $2000 Beretta 686, they're in very dense cover and you're gonna do some crawling

Oh, I wanna tag along. Just PM me.

I'll give ya a hollar in a couple months, lol

Here is a couple pics of the mounted birds

How do they taste?

We've got some on a place in Jim Wells county, I got pics of them on trail camera, apparently everybody knew about them except me. My uncle said there have been a small group out there for decades. We cant hunt them in that county, but I dont think I would anyway with only having a few out there and they make ugly mounts

Dark meat