I tend to be a suspenders and a belt kind of guy. I like to have a good Plan B or backup just in case something happens. No surprises for me. If something can go wrong, it will go wrong. Especially on the road. I carry a few “back up” dog collars. It’s rare that I need them but a dog collar is an important part of my gear and I need an extra one in case a few things happen. It’s rare that a collar fails. It can happen but it’s not common. It’s more likely that another dog is going to chew that collar off your dog. Good to have a … [Read more...] about The Backup Dog Collar – Why I Carry a Spare Dog Collar with Tags
Dog locations as you go in on a point
One of the great advantages of gps for pointing dogs is the ability to locate all dogs on the ground as you are walking in on a point. Knowing the location of every dog before you shoot on a covey rise is a great way to make sure an unfortunate accident doesn’t happen. There are many dangers in the life of a pointing dog. Accidental shootings are one of the most horrible. It’s not that uncommon that we have dogs on point but not every dog on the ground is involved. As we approach the dog on point, we are able to locate every dog using … [Read more...] about Dog locations as you go in on a point
Where’s the Truck? Games to Play with your Kid While Hunting
I started hunting with my dad when I was 11. I carried the single shot .410 for a while but wasn’t allowed any shells. There was a lot to learn about being a bird hunter. One thing my father developed in me was my sense of direction. It was my job to keep up with the truck. I had to be able to locate it no matter where we were at any time. I was quizzed on a regular basis. I’m not sure how many times he was looking directly at the truck when he would ask me where it was. It took a while to get good at it. He taught me to keep the … [Read more...] about Where’s the Truck? Games to Play with your Kid While Hunting
Open Minded on Pointing Dogs
I think I’m pretty open minded when it comes to pointing dogs. I’ve had a few posts about my Setter, Cowboy, and I want folks to understand that I’m not against long haired dogs. My first memory of any dog in our house was a setter named Bit. She’s the first dog I got to hunt behind. My dad started with Brittanys back when they were still considered a “spaniel.” We had some of the best I’ve ever seen and he loved them over all other breeds. I always wanted an English pointer. I got Em when I was 30. She was the best dog I’ve ever owned. … [Read more...] about Open Minded on Pointing Dogs
Charge Your Gear Every Night
I had an opportunity to quail hunt on a rare property in Mississippi today. We don’t have many places in the state that are actively working to have huntable numbers of wild quail. It’s expensive, demanding work, with no end in sight. Everything is against you and success can be fleeting. And like many of my opportunities , it’s really my dogs that get the invitation. Much like quail, bird dogs (with wild bird experience) are also rare in this part of the world. I’m just their driver. I don’t mind holding that position. Again, it’s a … [Read more...] about Charge Your Gear Every Night
Naming Dogs
I’ve always felt that picking a dog name was an important part of the puppy training process. Much like naming your children, a dog name will follow your dog around her entire life. It needs to be perfect and fit the dog’s personality. I don’t mind picking out a name before I’ve picked up a pup, but I reserve the right to change it within a week or two. I want to make sure it fits the dog. I also want to hear it out loud a good bit. Is this a name that I’m going to enjoy saying and hearing the next 10 to 12 years? I had a pup … [Read more...] about Naming Dogs