More Than a Hunt: Lucky Chukar Ranch Keeps an Outdoor Tradition Alive

For Victoria Haun, Lucky Chukar Ranch began with a piece of vacant Wyoming ground, a few bird dogs, and a family’s desire to build something of their own.

Haun had worked in real estate, while her husband worked as a general contractor. Together, they bought and renovated properties until they were finally able to purchase the kind of land they had always wanted: 90 acres south of the Fetterman Monument.

The property did not come with much more than opportunity.

“We had to do the power, the well, the septic, the road, the whole nine yards,” Haun said.

As their new ranch began to take shape, so did an idea.

The Hauns had owned bird dogs for years and enjoyed traveling to Sundance to train them. Having reliable access to birds is important when training a young hunting dog, so the family initially considered raising a few chukar for their own use.

Then the question became bigger: What if they raised enough birds to give other hunters and dogs the same opportunity?

“That was kind of the heart and soul of starting Lucky Chukar,” Haun said. “We wanted other people to be able to have hunting experiences in a controlled setting.”

Lucky Chukar Ranch opened to the public in 2023 with approximately 500 birds. Haun said the ranch expects to raise around 3,000 birds for the coming season.

The ranch’s hunting season runs from September 1 through March 31.

Giving Hunters and Dogs a Real Opportunity

Upland hunting generally involves pursuing ground-dwelling game birds across grasslands, sagebrush, foothills, and other open country.

At Lucky Chukar Ranch, hunters may pursue pen-raised chukar, bobwhite quail, and pheasants. Wild sharp-tailed grouse and Hungarian partridge are also occasionally found on the property.

The ranch is designed to provide an authentic day in the field while giving hunters a better opportunity to encounter birds.

That can be especially valuable for a person who is new to upland hunting.

When someone heads onto public land, there is never a guarantee that birds will be found. A first-time hunter may spend hours walking without ever having the opportunity to take a shot.

At the ranch, guests know birds have been placed in the field. Whether they successfully make the shot is still up to them, but they will at least have the opportunity.

The same principle applies to young bird dogs.

“Dogs, just like people, can get pretty frustrated if you take them out in the field,” Haun said. “Eventually, they’re like, ‘There are no birds out here, so what are we doing, just going for a walk?’”

A controlled hunt allows a young dog to become familiar with the scent of a bird, learn what is expected in the field, and experience the reward that makes the training meaningful.

Experienced dogs already understand their assignment. Pointing dogs locate the bird and hold their position, while flushing dogs move in and send the bird into the air. Younger dogs may still be learning to use their noses and connect the scent in the grass with the work they were bred to do.

The ranch also has guides available for guests who do not have a trained bird dog or would like assistance during the hunt. Lucky Chukar Ranch describes its hunts as genuine, well-managed experiences conducted on natural terrain that challenges hunters and dogs without feeling manufactured.

Caring for the Ground Beneath the Hunt

Although raising birds and hosting hunters are important parts of the ranch, Haun is equally concerned about the condition of the land.

She uses horses to help manage grass growth and carefully watches for invasive plants such as cheatgrass. The sharp awns produced by some grasses can work their way into a dog’s feet, ears, nose, or eyes and cause serious health problems.

Haun also works to control weeds and reduce cactus in areas where hunters and dogs will be walking.

Beyond those measures, her goal is to leave the landscape as natural as possible.

“I do want to keep all of the wild birds that we have up here,” she said.

Families of Hungarian partridge nest on the ranch each year, making healthy grass and sagebrush habitat especially important. Haun tries to maintain enough cover for nesting birds without allowing the property to become overgrown or overgrazed.

The ranch’s official mission reflects that commitment: raising healthy game birds, providing honest hunting experiences, caring thoughtfully for dogs, and treating the land with respect. Its larger vision is to protect the natural landscape while passing a love for outdoor traditions to future generations.

From the Field to the Table

Lucky Chukar Ranch is also expanding the experience beyond the hunt itself.

The ranch’s Field & Table experience allows groups to spend time hunting and then gather for a ranch-prepared meal. Haun, who enjoys cooking, works with each group to plan a menu that fits the occasion.

Meals can range from soups, salads, and sandwiches to chukar fajitas or dishes prepared with the birds harvested during the hunt.

The idea developed as local businesses began booking end-of-year and Christmas hunts for employees. Haun saw an opportunity to provide companies, families, friends, and clients with more than a few hours in the field.

“We can clean them and cook them up while they’re here,” she said. “It’s completely up to them as far as how they would like to do it and what they would like to eat.”

The standard Field & Table Hunt currently listed by the ranch includes a half-day hunt for up to four gunners, 20 birds, and a ranch lunch. A larger party option is also available.

The meal creates space for people to slow down, retell the best moments of the hunt, laugh about the shots they missed, and enjoy the day together.

Keeping Younger Generations in the Field

One of Haun’s favorite ranch memories came when a Sheridan family brought their son to Lucky Chukar Ranch for his 16th birthday.

It was the young man’s first time hunting upland birds. The family placed pheasants and chukar in the field, giving him the opportunity to experience his first successful bird hunt as part of his birthday celebration.

Stories like that represent what Haun wants the ranch to become.

Lucky Chukar Ranch does not charge hunters under 18 when they accompany a paying adult. Haun said the policy is intended to make it easier for parents, grandparents, and other adults to introduce young people to hunting.

“We want to keep that tradition alive,” she said. “We want to keep it fun for everyone.”

A young hunter who has an enjoyable and successful first experience is more likely to return. He or she may also take pictures, tell friends about the hunt, and encourage another young person to give it a try.

Years later, that same hunter may return with children of their own.

That possibility matters deeply to Haun.

The Memories That Remain

When asked what she hopes people remember after leaving Lucky Chukar Ranch, Haun did not talk about the number of birds harvested or the difficulty of a particular shot.

She talked about family.

“No kid remembers their favorite day watching TV,” she said. “But they’ll remember coming out here hunting with their mom, or their dad, or their grandpa, or their aunt or uncle.”

Her hope is that Lucky Chukar Ranch will remain a place her own children can enjoy and perhaps operate one day. She also hopes families who visit now will return for years and eventually generations to come.

The 16-year-old who celebrated his birthday at the ranch may someday return as a father, carrying a shotgun through the grass while his own child follows nearby.

“That’s what we’re all about,” Haun said. “Memories with their family.”

That is the larger story of Lucky Chukar Ranch.

It is a story about birds, dogs, land, and hunting but it is also about building something that lasts. It is about giving a young dog its first successful find, giving a new hunter a fair opportunity, caring for the country that makes the experience possible, and creating a place where families can return to one another.

Lucky Chukar Ranch is located at 4293 US Highway 87 in Banner, Wyoming. To learn more about available hunts, memberships, the Field & Table experience, and future services, visit LuckyChukarRanch.com or call 307-752-0565.