Sandgrouse hunting

Sandgrouse are iconic desert birds found across Africa, the Middle East, and parts of Central Asia. Known for their striking plumage and remarkable ability to thrive in arid environments, these birds are a prized quarry for upland bird hunters. Some sandgrouse hunting opportunities may be found in the vast steppes of Kazakhstan and other Central Asian and Middle Eastern countries, but most are concentrated in Africa. Sandgrouse hunting is especially popular in South Africa, Namibia, and Botswana, where these birds inhabit open savannahs, semi-desert regions, and dry grasslands. The Namaqua sandgrouse and Yellow-throated sandgrouse are common species targeted in these areas.

If the habitat allows, sandgrouse can be a terrific species to hunt over bird dogs. English pointers are favored in South Africa and Namibia, both because they are more heat tolerant with their short hair, and because of the large areas the dog has to cover. Without dogs, hunters can walk the likely species in a horseshoe formation. Both methods don’t differ much from a default plains game hunt. The most common way of shooting sandgrouse in Africa, however, is waiting for them over a water hole. The birds start coming to drink as soon as the sun is up, in bigger or smaller groups. The outfitter may set up a blind, but normally simply standing or sitting quietly under a bush is enough. Midday is usually a lull time, but in the evening the birds will come to drink again. Sandgrouse aren’t very tough birds, and an ounce of #8 to #7 shot from an open choked gun is just right, but they are fast flyers with erratic flight patterns, and provide an exciting challenge for upland bird hunters.