Having a dog ready opening day adds to the hunt

Published 12:11 am Saturday, August 11, 2018

It is a toss-up over who is more overweight right now, my Lab or me. OK, it is not a contest, but we both could stand to lose some pounds before dove season opens Sept. 1.

Like a lot of hunters, I own a bird dog. Like a lot of hunters, I own a bird dog that is imperfect and generally out of shape because she spends more time as a pet than as a hunter.

Sadie is a 5-year-old black Lab. She has a pretty good nose on her and a big heart. She will hunt from can until can’t. Over the years she has hunted ducks, dove, quail, pheasant and worked as a retrieving dog at tower shoots.

A smaller dog than most Labs today, her nose is pretty close to the ground and she does a good job of picking up birds that other dogs run past.

On the down side, she is bad about breaking at the sound of a gun. I guess she thinks I hit everything I shoot at. I have her fooled, but it does cause her to tire quickly early in the season.

Her worst habit, however, is she gets too excited and talks. Until the action starts and she picks up a few birds, she is yappy to the point of being obnoxious. For that reason she has been barred from a duck blind. I imposed the ban, but so far no one has complained.

In the dove field the yapping is not quite as bad. I can always go stand alone. If someone else is hunting next to me, they don’t seem to mind as long as the dog is picking up their birds, too.

I try to keep Sadie in shape, but like most city dwellers it is difficult because of a lack of space. This time of year, I usually work her running dummies just after sunrise when it is as cool as the day is going to be. I also do not push her to the point her tongue is dragging the ground and she cannot run. The summer heat is tough on any dog.

With an imperfect dog, we have an imperfect training schedule. Mostly it is just trying to get her in shape. On occasion, I work on sit and stay, maybe even a double or two.

We also do a morning walk for a mile or two. It is supposed to be for my old body, but I am hoping it does the dog some good, too.

I am sure trainers and purist will hate me for my training style, but my dog does not run in a straight line, she breaks and at times she stops to smell whatever. As long as she picks up my 15 doves and maybe a few lost ones for friends, I am good.

I do know for early season hunting in Texas, I have to do what I can to keep her from overheating. I have not started organizing my gear for hunting season, but I have hers. I recently bought a five-gallon water jug to take to the field. She will drink from a bottle, but that can be a pain when birds are flying. Carrying extra water and a bucket to put it in that is always available should solve the problem.

It is going to be hot opening weekend of dove season. Heck, the water will probably be hot for the early teal season. It is going to be up to the hunter to decide to kennel a dog before limiting out. Afternoon hunts, for most Labs, are probably out of the question. How long they can hunt depends on how good of shape they are in when the first shot is fired.

If you are going to use your dog early season, invest a little time in them now. A dog means too much to a hunter to lose them out of laziness.