Because duck season is in full swing all over
the state, I thought I would share some of my observations about duck hunting
with a novice dog. Not many handlers understand the many insecurities of a
young dog who has very little or no duck hunting experience at all. The fact
that your dog has retrieved ducks in training many times does not ensure
success in the field under actual hunting conditions. It’s important that you
follow certain guidelines that will give your hunting companion every possible
opportunity for success. Building on these successes will eventually make him a
competent hunting dog now and in the future. Here are some guidelines to
follow:
1. KEEP IT SIMPLE
Make every effort when setting up your duck
blind to put your dog in a position where he can see the birds in the air and
where they fall. A very important part of the learning experience for
inexperienced dogs is the concept that the birds are already flying in the air
and not being thrown to be shot. He probably has never seen this scenario in a
training session. It’s best to have a hunting partner shoot the first few birds
while you work with your dog to give him a better chance at seeing the falling
birds.
2. SHOOT ONLY ONE BIRD
I know it’s difficult to shoot only one bird
when a flock of many come into the decoys, but here again, it’s possible to
confuse your inexperienced dog. The rule to follow in this situation is to
shoot only one bird at a time and not fire your gun again until your dog has
delivered the duck to hand. I have witnessed situations where a young dog is on
his way to retrieve a duck in a pond and the owner shoots another one or two
birds that fly by, only to confuse the youngster, causing him to come in
without any birds. He may then refuse to go back to retrieve any birds at all.
This is usually when the owner comes unglued and compounds mistakes through his
anger.
3. LEAVE THE PET AT HOME
Not all, but some dogs have a problem handling
the pet/hunter role that so many hunters have placed on their dogs in today’s
world. Until the past 10 to 15 years, hunting dogs were just that, hunting
dogs. They did not have to handle the double role of being a pet to the kids
and ready to go hunting at a moment’s notice. Some dogs handle that transition
well, but many do not. It helps to begin working seriously with the dog at home
and in the yard for a few weeks before taking him to a hunt, so that he
understands that you are the boss.
I should remind you that the dogs I’m talking
about in this article have successfully completed a basic training program — I’m
not talking about a dog that has no training. Any basic training course puts
demands on a dog; the trainee knows that there is a certain way he must perform
each command that he has been taught. But even a lot of this knowledge can’t
prevent the insecurities of facing a new situation in the field.
If ever you get into a problem while hunting
where your dog refuses to perform, stop and think before reacting. Use your
good common hunting sense and look at the situation through the dog’s eyes.
Often that perspective helps to understand his confusion. Try to introduce only
one new thing at a time; multiple new things may compound the circumstances for
an inexperienced dog. Your goal is to have a confident dog for the future and
to achieve that goal, you may have to sacrifice one or two hunts.
Good hunting!
Grady Istre can be reached at reibar.com.
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