HUNTING
QUICK FIXES ON THE HUNT By Scott Haugen
N
ovember is finally here, and with it, loads of bird hunting. For many of us, our season started in September with grouse, quail, doves and pigeons. For others, it began with early-season waterfowl hunts, up north. If you were out on some of those early hunts, you’ve likely fixed any problems your dogs displayed. If you’re kicking off your bird hunting season this month, be proactive and fix any glitches your dog might have while on the hunt.
ON OUR FIRST BANDTAIL pigeon hunt of the season it was just me and my two pudelpointers, Echo and Kona. It’s a two-pigeon limit and I wanted each dog to get a retrieve. On my first shot Echo held but Kona broke. I stopped him with a zap on the collar. He returned to my side and heeled. Then I sent Echo to retrieve the pigeon. Echo delivered the bird to hand, right in front of Kona. Kona couldn’t stand it, but sat tight. A few minutes later another flock passed by and I dropped a second pigeon. Both dogs held tight. I released Kona and he made a good retrieve. Echo stayed put, as she should. Each of the next six mornings we were in the hills, and both dogs held steady when I shot passing pigeons, making solid, high-energy retrieves. Had I not taken the time to fix Kona’s mishap on the spot, it could have been a long, frustrating week. “The collar comes off the dog when it goes in the ground,” shares noted trainer Jess Spradley of Cabin Creek
Should your upland dog fail to hold point, break on the shot or not retrieve, try to fix it right then and there. (SCOTT HAUGEN)
Gun Dogs (cabincreekgundogs.com) in Lakeview, Oregon. “I can’t recall where I heard that, and though it may sound a bit extreme, what it really translates to is that no matter how good your dog is, the training never stops. On these first hunts of the year your dog is as excited as you are, if not more, and it’s up to you to control
their behavior. Don’t let your dog get away with inappropriate behavior, as you’re sending them the message that it’s OK, when really it’s not. You don’t want to break what you’ve worked so hard to attain all summer.” And don’t think Spradley is saying shock your dog every time it makes a bad choice. Often a verbal command or
calsportsmanmag.com | NOVEMBER 2022 California Sportsman
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