A while back we discovered that with more than one or two dogs, we, in order to get
them all the desired experience that they needed on wild birds, needed another
season. The three months in the fall just wasn’t enough. We needed “two seasons”
In northern Lower Michigan our spring season starts as soon as the ground begins to
get bare and ends mid April (check your states regulations on running dogs). The
armament requirements change with seasons. In the spring the 16 ga. stays at home
and we bring out the Canon. (A Nikon will work, just doesn’t sound as good) We
“choke” the Canon tightly as the birds are very jumpy due to the lack of ground cover.
(80-200 mm). All other equipment requirements are the same as the fall. If you have
ever considered shooting your dog this would be a good time. Maybe you could take
someone else along and they could shoot you.
Spring season is a time when one can focus completely on dog work and add another
dimension to their knowledge of the birds. The birds tend to be wilder in the spring
due to the lack of ground cover; even woodcock which generally hold well can be
difficult to approach. This is a good time to add to the experience level of young dogs
and fine tune the older ones.
We make a game of stalking wild grouse; the object of course is for the dogs to
handle the birds properly and to hold them on point. The dogs must learn to be extra
cautious and handle the birds very carefully. Grouse can and do run, fast and far,
often they will flush out of hearing range. I have heard over the years some hunters
complain of “false pointing”. I believe if they would actually pay more attention to their
dogs and learn more about the birds, they wouldn’t be so quick to find “false” fault. I
have numerous times watched grouse run off a point. A good grouse dog is a
cautious one, some “false points” are certainly better than flushing birds out of
shooting range. Experience is the key. If done right these wild birds can really help
build teamwork between you and your dog. A good dog will become very catlike in
their approach to the bird, and will wait for you to catch up before continuing if the bird
does move.
We promote this behavior by whoaing the dog until we circle in front; if the bird
doesn’t flush we release the dog quietly saying “careful”. Sometimes the bird will be
pointed numerous times before they hold. It’s a trial and error deal, especially with the
young dogs. It is a great way to learn to read your dog’s body language when they
are working birds, and it reinforces the fact that we hunt together, which these guys
are inclined to do anyway. We don’t care about “mistakes;” they learn, and we learn.
You can’t shoot the birds this time of the year anyway. Unless you have your Canon.
And if your dog will hold while you dillydally around in front of them taking “shots” like
these, you may be getting some where.
them all the desired experience that they needed on wild birds, needed another
season. The three months in the fall just wasn’t enough. We needed “two seasons”
In northern Lower Michigan our spring season starts as soon as the ground begins to
get bare and ends mid April (check your states regulations on running dogs). The
armament requirements change with seasons. In the spring the 16 ga. stays at home
and we bring out the Canon. (A Nikon will work, just doesn’t sound as good) We
“choke” the Canon tightly as the birds are very jumpy due to the lack of ground cover.
(80-200 mm). All other equipment requirements are the same as the fall. If you have
ever considered shooting your dog this would be a good time. Maybe you could take
someone else along and they could shoot you.
Spring season is a time when one can focus completely on dog work and add another
dimension to their knowledge of the birds. The birds tend to be wilder in the spring
due to the lack of ground cover; even woodcock which generally hold well can be
difficult to approach. This is a good time to add to the experience level of young dogs
and fine tune the older ones.
We make a game of stalking wild grouse; the object of course is for the dogs to
handle the birds properly and to hold them on point. The dogs must learn to be extra
cautious and handle the birds very carefully. Grouse can and do run, fast and far,
often they will flush out of hearing range. I have heard over the years some hunters
complain of “false pointing”. I believe if they would actually pay more attention to their
dogs and learn more about the birds, they wouldn’t be so quick to find “false” fault. I
have numerous times watched grouse run off a point. A good grouse dog is a
cautious one, some “false points” are certainly better than flushing birds out of
shooting range. Experience is the key. If done right these wild birds can really help
build teamwork between you and your dog. A good dog will become very catlike in
their approach to the bird, and will wait for you to catch up before continuing if the bird
does move.
We promote this behavior by whoaing the dog until we circle in front; if the bird
doesn’t flush we release the dog quietly saying “careful”. Sometimes the bird will be
pointed numerous times before they hold. It’s a trial and error deal, especially with the
young dogs. It is a great way to learn to read your dog’s body language when they
are working birds, and it reinforces the fact that we hunt together, which these guys
are inclined to do anyway. We don’t care about “mistakes;” they learn, and we learn.
You can’t shoot the birds this time of the year anyway. Unless you have your Canon.
And if your dog will hold while you dillydally around in front of them taking “shots” like
these, you may be getting some where.
| "I myself have had setters of marvelous sagacity, whose penetration into my intentions, whose reflections and method and deductions, have startled me at times and who acted from a power to which I should hesitate to give the name of instinct.” ~ Rev. T. Pearce owner of a flourishing Gordon Setter kennel during the 19th century Gordon Setters Today, Jose Baddeley, Ringpress Books Ltd., 1994 |
| Copyright © 2007 Two Seasons Farm All rights reserved. |
Spring Hunting Season?
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |