My Duck Dog Training A to ?

Last weekend we ventured down to Niagara to celebrate Christmas with my parents, my sister and her family.  Both dogs came with us and enjoyed romping with the children outside on the grass - no snow there yet.  On Sunday I went for a hike with my sister, Jo and the two dogs and we had a great time.  All of us were tired and muddy after our adventure.

Saturday AM I was invited to go duck hunting with a friend and fellow dog trainer Scott Adams, and his son Robert.  I was given the option of bringing Tucker with me but decided to leave him home - having not hunted ducks successfully yet, I thought it better to concentrate on the hunting aspect and leave the dog handling until I’m more experienced with the hunt.

We headed out at 5:30am and set up in a flooded bean field.  Scott brought along his dog Blue.  A beautiful black lab that earned his AFTCH title last year.  As the sun began to crest the ducks began to filter into our field to feed.  The sight is not one that I’m likely to forget.  Over a hundred ducks in the air in at least 4 groups flying in all directions - really quite a sight.  The first small group of 4 to enter our spread were all put down - each of us in the hunting party being successful in targeting our query.

The most spectacular retrieve was when a lightly hit cripple flew about 180 yards deeper into the flooded field. After the handler sent “Blue” to attempt the retrieve, he turned to me and we discussed the likelihood of this duck not being recovered - it was just too mobile. Blue closed on his quarry and the wounded duck began to make his escape. The dog found some footing in the lunging water. Just before the water opened up to a deeper pool he leaped into the air. The duck was airborne about 3 feet above the water and Blue managed to bring it down with a huge splash!

Another memorable moment was when a pair of cautious mallards repeatedly flew over our spread.  Scott finally decided that they were close enough to take and proceeded to initiate the hunt.  I found myself situated under the branch of a scrub tree and unable to stand and aim properly.  By the time I did get the first duck in my sights, Scott had fired and the duck was folded.  The second of the pair had flown over top of us and Scott turned 180 degrees, aimed and pulled the trigger.  I did not see the bird hit, I only saw a puff of feathers slowly filtering to the ground from where it was hit.  What a great pair of shots!!

Just after noon we decided to pack up and as we exited the field we met up with two seasoned duck hunters, friends of Scot’s’.  They had been hunting this morning in a field that boarded a swollen marsh and without a dog, they were unable to recover at least 6 birds that had been shot.  As a group we went to this marsh and Scott’s dog Blue hunted up all six birds.  Now this may not read as a great feat but the air temperature was only about -3C and the water was about 0C.  This marsh was a tangled mess of frozen weeds and the water was almost exclusively lunging water.  Blue pressed on for the hunt encouraged by Scott where I am sure most dogs would have given up.  I was cold and tired just watching him work!

Following the hunt we retired to Scott’s garage and he showed me how to breast out the ducks and we discussed his recommendations on meal preparation.  The entire day was a great adventure and it has me excited about next years hunt in Parry Sound already.  I know better what I need to scout for.

The weather this past week has bee horrible - we now have about 2 feet of snow on the ground and more falling as I type this.  Field training has stopped for now - hopefully the snow will pack in nicely and we will be able to get back out soon.