Archive for the ‘Hunting’ Category
Dog of the Day: “Spirit”
Monday, May 20th, 2013
Brian Katona from Washington (state) says “Spirit” is one of the finest pointers he’s over owned. “I have the best times hunting with her,” he says.
Have your own bird dog photo you’d like to share? Email it to Anthony Hauck, Quail Forever’s Online Editor, ahauck@quailforever.org.
Dog of the Day: “Kain”
Friday, May 17th, 2013
Trent Deal’s Brittany, “Kain,” was eight-months-old when pointing on this Alabama quail hunt.
Have your own bird dog photo you’d like to share? Email it to Anthony Hauck, Quail Forever’s Online Editor, ahauck@quailforever.org.
Dog of the Day: “Belle”
Wednesday, May 15th, 2013
Rodney Gilges’ “Belle” did her thing on this Thanksgiving morning quail hunt in Kansas. The German shorthaired pointer checked in at six-months-old for this annual family tradition.
Have your own bird dog photo you’d like to share? Email it to Anthony Hauck, Quail Forever’s Online Editor, ahauck@quailforever.org.
Coming full circle
Thursday, May 9th, 2013
Right … in … here … boss.
By Scott Linden
We talk a lot about “closing the loop,” reaching a logical and finite ending to all things business, social, financial, etc. The term is appropriate for yesterday, the last day of quail season here in Oregon.
I began the season at a spot that holds history and pre-history (read: dinosaurs), fond memories, and a sweet spot in my heart for the peace it brings me. I closed the season in the same place. And once again, it didn’t take much to bring satisfaction.
Buddy hunted hard, making up for too many road miles and not enough field time. He tore from objective to objective along the little creek laced with beaver dams and head-high brush. Once the breeze finally stirred he worked it well, and soon the beeper’s hawk scream signaled a find.
Trembling on the opposite bank, nose vectored into a tangle of reeds and marsh grass, Buddy’s right front paw saluted the hidden birds. From the other side, I praised him then wondered how the heck I’d get across to make the flush: three feet deep if it was an inch, the dark water held no attraction in late January for an involuntary dip.
Rather, I staked out a brush-free spot on my side and hoped the bird would blink first, offering a shot through one of the corridors in the creekside vegetation. A fruitless search for rocks, sticks, or anything else to lob into the bird’s hideout led to my throwing an empty VitaCal tube, but no flush resulted and now I had a cleanup project following any shot I might get.
Buddy held steady, even when released to flush, and I reveled in my brilliant training methods (hah!). I wandered the bank, finding half a beaver dam that might lead to a hummock or sunken log to get me all the way across. The mud-and-stick barrier held – sort of – and I was three steps into the crossing when two mountain quail fought their way free of the tangle. One arrowed upstream through the tunnel of alders arching over the creek. The other buzzed, kamikaze-like, straight for my forehead before firing the afterburners and launching for the stratosphere.
Ducking to dodge the first bird, then pivoting on the muddy dam, I slapped the trigger and watched the most beautiful game bird in the world fall to earth, still as it landed, the silence returning to claim my attention and focus my gratitude at the dog, the shot, the bird’s contribution of life, and for my not falling in the water.
This mystical place, full of spirits from woolly mammoths to shamans, delivered to me a perfect end to a season full of challenge and beauty. I think I’ll start next season in the same spot.
From the glossary of my upcoming book “What the Dogs Taught Me:”
Stake: Designation of a class or separately-judged competition in field trials.
Stand: To point a bird.
Started dog: A dog that is somewhat obedience trained, comes when called and will point birds. Also “green broke.”
Scott is the creator and host of America’s most-watched upland bird hunting TV show, Wingshooting USA. Send your questions to Scott, here. Order Scott’s new book here.
Dog of the Day: “Cooper”
Wednesday, May 8th, 2013
“Cooper” is John Linquist’s Gordon setter pup. Linquist is Quail Forever’s Shooting Sports National Coordinator.
Have your own bird dog photo you’d like to share? Email it to Anthony Hauck, Quail Forever’s Online Editor, ahauck@quailforever.org.
Who would you rather work for?
Sunday, May 5th, 2013
Lookin’ for love … and a decent boss.
By Scott Linden
Dogs are fascinating, multi-dimensional beings that have intrigued me for decades. The most interesting aspect of their lives, at least to me, is how they think. Maybe “think” is the wrong word for those of you who believe animals dwell deep in the primitive depths of instinct, fang, claw, action and reaction.
But we hunting dog owners know better. We’ve seen our quail hunting partners apply reason, employ logic, solve complex problems and learn a bit of “language.” Sure, they think differently from us. But they think. And the sooner we figure out what they’re thinking about – and why – the better our hunting team becomes.
Have you ever had a lousy boss? You know the type: harsh voice constantly berating you, cutting you down, badgering, yelling, and criticizing … never offering praise or encouragement.
Some of us have been lucky enough to have a good boss, or even been one. To others, it might have been a coach, teacher, Scoutmaster, neighbor. You remember them for their soothing demeanor, supportive attitude, mutual respect, positive reinforcement. Heck, even their critiques were constructive, almost pleasurable.
Of the two, who would you rather work for? For which would you gladly stay late to help with a rush order, or go the extra mile? The same holds true for your dog. He’d rather endure cactus spines in his paw on a scaled quail hunt for a human he trusts and respects.
I’m not saying you should curry favor, suck up or kowtow to your pup. In the pack, your dog functions best when he knows his boundaries and who’s in charge. In your house, yard and field that’s always you. Establishing those boundaries and setting up your chain of command can be done in a number of ways, some better than others. One version engenders respect and cooperation, other versions foster fear or aggression. Which will get him to climb toward the stratosphere on a mountain quail hunt?
When discipline is applied appropriately, instruction is melded with encouragement, or correction is done with restraint and sensitivity, I think your dog acquires a sense of “fairness.” I doubt that dogs truly comprehend that term, but they are certainly aware of the opposite.
Doesn’t it just make sense to create a relationship based on mutual trust, respect, and reward for a job well done? Remember back to when it worked for you; I bet it’ll work for him.
From the email in-box:
Q: I hunt a lot of grouse and ducks in Minnesota and I have Springer spaniels. When hunting them in the woods they don’t like to get off the trail. What can I do to help them understand to go into the woods?
A: How much bird contact have they had? If you’re not finding a lot of birds in the woods, set up some training situations where they will discover birds when they get off trail. Once they get the idea, they’ll be more inclined to venture out.
Scott is the creator and host of America’s most-watched upland bird hunting TV show, Wingshooting USA. Send your questions to Scott, here. Order Scott’s new book here.
Dog of the Day: “Rylee”
Friday, May 3rd, 2013
James Ledbetter’s 18-month-old English setter, “Rylee,” just earned her Junior Hunter title. “This spring we competed in our first hunt test and we passed four consecutive tests for her first title,” Ledbetter says. “We’ve also run in a few National Shoot To Retrieve Association field trials and we hunt for wild quail. She is a great hunter and the best friend I could have hoped for!”
Have your own bird dog photo you’d like to share? Email it to Anthony Hauck, Quail Forever’s Online Editor, ahauck@quailforever.org.
Your Dog Can Help You Shoot Better
Thursday, May 2nd, 2013
A solid point will ensure a better shot at the bird. Quail Forever File Photo
I was again reminded of how working with our dogs, thinking like they think, can produce better shooting from us. I was watching the raw footage from a recent TV hunt in Alabama, where a companion got so nervous (or was he dazzled at “Buddy’s” performance?), the bobwhite had ample opportunity to fly wild or scoot out from under Buddy’s point.
Luckily the bird held and the outcome was fatal for him. If you want a similar outcome on your next quail hunt, read on …
First, ensure a solid point and a bird that holds still rather than a scampering off unscathed. Start by being punctual. Once your dog stands the bird, walk in with alacrity. The longer you dawdle, or admire his stunning good looks, or take photos, the greater the chance a bird will flush wild, run off or the dog will do the flushing for you.
Then, assert yourself. Over many years in many fields one thing is clear: both birds and dogs hold better when the gunner moves with confidence. Once your dog shows you the bird, stride right in and everyone will likely do what’s expected of them. No sneaking, mincing or doubt … this is the time to show you are in charge.
Choose your route with care. Swing wide around the dog and you’ll cut off one of the bird’s escape routes. Two gunners performing a pincer movement means even fewer bolt-holes for a cunning rooster more inclined sprint than fly.
Flanking your dog also minimizes his chance of breaking point. “Allelomimetic behavior” is a highfalutin phrase for the actions of that flock of birds that jives in unison or pair of wolves on the hunt, trotting in parallel. Sauntering close alongside a pointing dog is an invitation to follow you into the flush –that’s how we teach “heel,” after all.
Quail Forever contributor Scott Linden lives in central Oregon, and his passion is pursuing quail pointed by his German wirehairs, “Buddy” and “Manny.” The host of Wingshooting USA is the author of the new book, What the Dogs Taught Me. He also designs dog training gear including leashes, collars and his patented Real Bird Bumper®.
Dog of the Day: “Bernie”
Thursday, May 2nd, 2013
Parker Bates’ one-year-old German shorthaired pointer, Bernard Von Bach, call name “Bernie,” was a happy bird dog following his first quail hunt. Bates lives in Cypress, Texas where in addition to quail the pair hunts ducks and doves. “And in his spare time, “Bernie” runs circles around his Lab hunting buddies,” Bates says.
Have your own bird dog photo you’d like to share? Email it to Anthony Hauck, Quail Forever’s Online Editor, ahauck@quailforever.org.
Dogs of the Day: “Trey” and “Trouble”
Wednesday, May 1st, 2013
Mike Allen’s setters, “Trey” (foreground) and “Trouble,” have the birds locked down at this field edge. Allen is from Bowling Green, Virginia.
Have your own bird dog photo you’d like to share? Email it to Anthony Hauck, Quail Forever’s Online Editor, ahauck@quailforever.org.
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