Tips For Dove Hunting And Gun Dogs

There are heaps of things you ought to do to get ready for you and your dog for the first day of dove season. For most of us down south in the US, it's still pretty hot during dove season. The most crucial thing is to keep yourself and your dog hydrated! There's a bunch of products out there to help with this issue. I always carry a couple of bottles of frozen water for the dogs. As the ice melts, you've got fresh cold water for your mate. I keep a collapsible water bowl with me out in the field and make sure there's always water available for my four-legged hunting mate.

I also like to find a good shade tree to sit under, not just for a top hunting spot, but it can be up to 20 degrees cooler in the shade than in the open sun. If I can't find a decent shady spot, I make sure to bring my ground blind for the dog. This not only keeps them cooler, but helps with steadiness as they know they're not supposed to leave from the blind until released (it gives the dog a barrier or do not cross line).

If you've got more than one dog, taking a couple with ya and swapping 'em out halfway or regularly during your hunt is another way to help keep your retriever from overheating out in the field. Remember that your retriever's colour can contribute to overheating as a black dog will heat up quicker than a yellow dog or a white spaniel breed. I try not to let the dog get involved in a long hunt as that can quickly do a dog in a hot-weather environment. A quick handle is always better, even preferred in hunt tests.

Another common thing that happens on a dog's first duck hunt, especially if they haven't picked up many ducks, is spitting out the bird. The feathers on a duck come out real easy and will fill a dog's mouth, causing them to spit out the bird to try and get rid of all the feathers. Hopefully, they've been trained properly to fetch and a simple 'fetch it up' will have the dog pick up the bird and complete the retrieve. Keep this in mind for your dog's first duck hunt and if it happens, just handle it with a simple fetch it up and a bit of a tease.

As a dog's body temperature goes up, they'll start to pant more, which makes it harder for them to pick up scents. Doves don't have much of a smell to start with. When a dog's really panting, it might run straight past a downed dove in the paddock - especially if it's thick with vegetation like a recently harvested corn or sorghum paddock. Having said that, don't get too cut up about your mate if you reckon they should've found a bird they missed. It can be tough for dogs out on the dove field on the first day of the season. I've seen Grand Hunting Retriever Champions that couldn't find a tiny dove on a scorcher of a day!! Just remember that hunting's meant to be a good time and try to keep it as safe as can be, while also looking after your dog's wellbeing. Good hunting!!!

Always check your local and state regulations related to dog training and the use of game birds on private and public property.