2021 Fall Hunting has Started

[orhunter]

Took Ellie out today, managed one quail. She ate it. We have work to do. I forgot to take the e-collar with us.

[AverageGuy]

Took Ellie out today, managed one quail. She ate it. We have work to do. I forgot to take the e-collar with us.

Who could blame her! I ate deboned pan fried quail last night. My favorite.

[orhunter]

You took the time to clean them first. That sure looks yummy.

[AverageGuy]

Spud and I hunted the last day of season yesterday. Feb/March may bring some snow goose action but otherwise that is a wrap.

Explored a lot of new territory, had some wonderful days in the field, hunted a wide spectrum of birds in 7 States, hunted with new folks and dogs as well. All in all a Blessed Season. Training season starts tomorrow. Gonna work the dogs on wild birds for a couple of months as clement weather permits, polishing steadiness and using a camera.

[J D Patrick]

I've been MIA since Dec but glad to have got caught up on the adventures of Spud, Tess, and AG - great read - you have some nice dogs Sir!

[orhunter]

Dang... Pretty dead around the site.... Got four Sharpies today.

Dog is starting to chomp them and wanting to run off with them. Going to be a tough season.

Suggestions, please.

[orhunter]

Beautiful birds AG....

[AverageGuy]

Dang... Pretty dead around the site.... Got four Sharpies today.

Dog is starting to chomp them and wanting to run off with them. Going to be a tough season.

Suggestions, please.

I don't think I know anything about the subject that you do not as well, but attempting to be helpful.

Jon Hann at Perfection Kennel always talks about how a strong recall is essential to retrieving and avoiding mouth problems. A dog which is trained to immediately pick up the bird and begin returning directly to the handler has less time and mental ability to start mouthing a bird because it is responding to the trained recall obedience.

Other than that I would get the pup on the table and work on Hold with a piece of PVC pipe, then a frozen bird, then a thawed bird. Once I got the pup to calmly hold the bird, I would do a good deal of walking at heel carrying the bird to desensitize her to carrying the bird in her mouth. I would make sure the bird is clean and has no blood on it.

[orhunter]

Thanks Kent. Pretty much what I planned on doing.

Rained a lot last night, still coming down a little bit, probably won’t hunt today.

Got three Sharptails yesterday on a short hunt. Did a drive-by of some state land a couple days ago that was fairly close to town that looked birdie so had to give it a try.

Cooked Sharptail the first time for dinner last evening. Turned out good. Mixed some Montreal Steak Seasoning with Peanut oil as a marinade. A quick application of heat so as not to overcook was the key. Overcooking any dark meated birds will render them inedible.

[Willie T]

Falling back on the obedience foundation is the route I would go, which is what it sounds like you plan to do. Big birds can help as well. Water retrieves may also help. Good luck working through it. Sounds like you are finding a few birds.