Have you ever heard a loud “cha-cha-lac!” sound echoing through the trees in South Texas? That noise might be coming from one of the most unusual game birds in America: the plain chachalaca. Also known as the Mexican tree pheasant, plain chachalacas spend most of their time high up in the branches and, in Texas, are found mainly in just four counties.
This article explains everything you need to know about plain chachalacas, including where to hunt them and the best tips for a successful hunt.
Key Takeaways
- Plain chachalacas are found in Cameron, Starr, Hidalgo, and Willacy counties in South Texas.
- The hunting season starts in late October or early November and runs through mid-February, with a daily bag limit of five birds.
- Las Huellas works to protect South Texas wildlife through education, conservation programs, and support for local hunters and landowners.
About the Plain Chachalaca
The plain chachalaca is a fascinating North American bird known for its unique habits and loud call. To help you understand this bird better, below are some important details about it:
Identifying Traits
The plain chachalaca is about the size of a small chicken, but it has a very long tail. A big bird weighs about two pounds. The plain chachalaca has a gray head and neck with a dull olive-brown body and wings. Its belly is lighter in color, and the tail is dark with a white tip. Unlike many other game birds, the males and females look almost the same.
Habitats
The plain chachalaca make their homes in forests along streams, in mesquite thickets, and in areas with Texas ebony, honey mesquite, and cedar elm trees. Spanish moss and vine tangles also help to hide their nests.
Behavior
Chachalacas spend most of their time up in trees. They have special feet and wings that help them hold onto branches. Their long tails also help them balance when they walk along tree limbs. Although Chachalacas can fly short distances, they would rather run and jump through the treetops. This is why they’re sometimes called Mexican tree pheasants.
Region
You can find the plain chachalacas in South Texas in Cameron, Starr, Hidalgo, and Willacy counties. They also live along the eastern side of Mexico and in the countries in Central America, like Belize and Costa Rica.
Where Can You Hunt Plain Chachalaca?
Texas is the only state in America where you can hunt chachalacas. Most chachalaca hunting happens on private land: ranchers and landowners know where the birds like to feed and rest.
If you want to hunt chachalaca on public land, you have options. Along with the Bensten-Rio Grande Valley State Park, you can visit five different units of the Las Palomas Wildlife Management Area: the Baird, Anacua, Carricitos, Longoria, and Tucker units.
Chachalaca Hunting Regulations in South Texas
Before you start planning your chachalaca hunting in Texas, following the regulations on game bird hunting helps you stay compliant and protect the birds. Here are some rules you should know:
Hunting Season
The chachalaca hunting in Texas usually starts in late October or early November and runs through mid-February, occurring during quail season and overlapping with part of the dove season.
Bag Limits
The daily bag limit for chachalacas is five birds. You can also keep up to 15 birds in total, called the possession limit. However, most hunters say that getting even one or two chachalacas in a day is a big success because these birds are usually tough to hunt.
Required Licenses and Permits
To get a hunting license in Texas, you need to visit the Texas Parks and Wildlife website or visit authorized retailers. For chachalaca hunting, you also need an Upland Game Bird Endorsement. This is a special stamp that allows you to hunt birds like chachalacas, quail, and pheasants. Non-residents can hunt chachalacas, too, but they need to buy a non-resident hunting license along with the Upland Game Bird Endorsement.
8 Chachalaca Hunting Tips
Hunting chachalacas can be different from hunting any other game birds. These birds test your patience, your ability to walk quietly, and your quick shooting skills. Here are the most important tips to help you succeed:
1. Hunt During Morning Hours
Chachalacas are most active early in the morning. They start calling before the sun comes up and continue making noise for a few hours after sunrise. Listen for their loud “cha-cha-lac!” calls to locate their position.
2. Walk Quietly Along Roads and Edges
If you crash through the thick brush trying to find chachalacas, you will make too much noise and may hurt yourself. Walk quietly along the edge between the brush and open areas. Stop often to look and listen.
3. Look Up in the Trees
Remember that chachalacas spend most of their time in trees. So, always look up into the branches of mesquite trees, ebony trees, and other tall plants. Sometimes you will hear them moving around or making soft sounds. You typically won’t see them until they move.
4. Use the Right Hunting Gear
A 12-gauge, 16-gauge, or 20-gauge shotgun works well for chachalaca hunting. These birds are not very big, so you don’t need a massive gun. Ensure that whatever gun you use is legal for hunting game birds in your area.
5. Wear Heavy Clothing and Boots
Prickly pear cactus, mesquite, catclaw, and many other plants have sharp points that will tear your clothes and scratch your skin. Consider wearing thick brush chaps or heavy pants that protect your legs. Good boots are also important because rattlesnakes also live in this area. Some hunters wear snake chaps or snake boots for extra protection.
6. Bring Enough Water
When you’re walking through thick brush wearing heavy clothes, you will sweat a lot. Always bring more water than you think you need. Staying hydrated keeps you safe and helps you think clearly when it’s time to take a shot.
7. Pattern and Ambush the Birds
You can watch an area for a few mornings to see where the birds go. Afterwards, you can pick a spot along the path and wait quietly. This method works better than chasing the birds through the brush.
8. Hunt with a Partner
Having a hunting partner can make chachalaca hunting in Texas easier and safer. If the birds run away from one hunter, they might run toward the other one. A partner also helps in case someone gets hurt or lost in the thick brush.
Support Las Huellas in Promoting Responsible Game Bird Hunting in Texas
Chachalaca hunting offers something different for every Texas hunter. These birds challenge you in ways other birds rarely do. They test your patience, your walking skills, and your reflexes. Whether you spend a morning looking for a flash of feathers or watching the sun come up over the Lower Rio Grande Valley as you listen for calls, the experience stays with you.
Before you hunt chachalacas, you’ll need a Hunting License and Hunter Education: we can help with that. Here at Las Huellas, we’re committed to supporting conservation through eco-friendly hunting and direct funding. Through education, habitat protection, and support for local hunters and landowners, Las Huellas takes pride in restoring wildlife populations. Every dollar donated goes back into conservation projects and education programs in the Rio Grande Valley.