Natural Retriever

   The natural ability of retrieving is an valuable trait for a versatile gun dog. When you hunt upland birds it's nice to have a dog that will find and bring back downed game but the finding is the critical part. When you hunt waterfowl the retrieve becomes a critical part also unless you enjoy a morning swim in a cold pond.

   There is a certain drive a dog has when it loves retrieving. There is a look of determination in them. Dogs that go all in on the Retrieve just as much as finding a bird.
   Working on bring out retrieving in a dog is something that could be worked on more. Most times people training there pointing dogs on their own don't work on retrieving enough. Staying focused on the bird work, pointing, and basic commands leaving the retrieve on the back burner.
 

When a dog shows the natural ability to retrieve it is important to build off of it. Work the dog a few nights a week on retrieving but don't over do it and let the dog get burnt out. Another thing to do is switch what the dog is retrieving from bumpers to birds keep it excited. Different location and water will also be beneficial. Working on the retrieve will bring with it great reward come hunting season.

Morning exercise

    There are days when you can't be the weekend warrior. Life just doesn't allow you to make it out on Saturday. There is still Sunday in the areas where the is no hunting on Sunday. It is a day to get the dogs out and get them some exercise and train with them. There my be no guns involved but the much need break from the world is still there.
    That was my weekend I didn't make it out with gun in hand. Instead I got the beagles out Sunday morning. There is just something about a cool frosty morning listening to the beagles run.

New Opportunities

   The cool mornings and changing leafs mark the end of a season and beginning of another. The eye catching yellow,red and orange leaves are the artwork of fall. It's a time of year in New England I think everyone should experience.
   With fall comes the time to get out the double gun . We have trained and prepared for this time a year for six months. The dog training season has come to an end though the training never really ends. The dog is always training me that it has the noise therefore the upper hand.
    Some time's the it's more about the feel of a shot gun in the hands and to know it's Hunting season then the plan of shooting game. Watching the dogs do what the breeders of old had breed them for is amazing history right before you. There is something about listing to beagles baying a snowshoe hare knowing my grandfather had listened to his decades ago. There is a  tradition that is innate in humans. It is deep in most cultures around the world. It is one of the few things that can bring people from around the world together.
   With the new season it brings new opportunities to bring new people hunting and make strong connection with other hunters. This season we need to put all difference behind realise that there are different styles of hunting and different opportunities. Don't be afraid to give someone the opportunity you have and maybe they can return the favour. We could  all grow in our knowledge and understanding of what other hunters do. Making us the tight knit community we should be.
   Safe hunting.