First time in the marsh

by **NuffDaddy** » Tue Sep 10, 2013 8:20 pm

This is my uncles dog that I've been working with over the summer. She pretty much stays in a kennel all the time except for when I work with her...which makes things tough. Especially when I can only get there one or 2 times a week. The hardest part is teaching/maintaining OB when she doesn't get worked with every day. She is a real smart dog and has the basics and loves to retrieve the bumper. I've had her in the water a few times but not in a marsh/hunting setting. So today I decided to take her out for her first hunt. She followed on my left the whole way out through muck and water that was borderline swimming for her. She stayed right with me when I set the decoys out, then I let her explore the marsh alittle before LST. When it was time to hunt she laid right next to me without any fuss. About 20min in 4 geese came overhead and I hit one that sailed about 1/4 mile out. We went after it, and when we got close she chased it down but wouldn't pick it up, which was expected since the goose is damn near as big as she is. Ended up getting another later on with the same results. I threw the bumper and had her do a bunch of retrieves all morning, and for the most part she performed flawlessly. Even though she didn't retrieve the geese, the day was a big success. Can't wait till duck season!!!

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Sorry for the novel.

by **Feelin' Fowl** » Tue Sep 10, 2013 9:03 pm

Very cool Nuff. I can't help with the retrieving birds part, but it's nice that you got the pup out!

by **Redbeard** » Tue Sep 10, 2013 9:08 pm

I'm guessing she hasn't seen or touched a live or dead bird yet huh. A Canada might be a bad way to start. Were the birds dead or cripped?

by **NuffDaddy** » Tue Sep 10, 2013 9:36 pm

Redbeard wrote:I'm guessing she hasn't seen or touched a live or dead bird yet huh. A Canada might be a bad way to start. Were the birds dead or cripped?

Nope. I didn't expect her to retrieve, i let her go up to them and she nudged them a little then came back to me. I didn't push for her to retrieve...just wanted to get her used to the environment before duck season.
The first bird was dead by the time we walked for 10 min to it. And the second was somewhat alive but barely. She chased that one for a little bit before it gave up. She retrieved the bumper very well though all morning.

by **NuffDaddy** » Tue Sep 10, 2013 9:38 pm

She is also only 8 months old and 45lbs, and these were 12lb geese.

by **Redbeard** » Tue Sep 10, 2013 9:39 pm

Get your hands on a dead frozen duck if any of your buddies have any. Sounds like you don't have time to get her on live birds

by **Redbeard** » Tue Sep 10, 2013 9:39 pm

Oh my I didn't realize she was so young

by **NuffDaddy** » Tue Sep 10, 2013 10:02 pm

Redbeard wrote:Get your hands on a dead frozen duck if any of your buddies have any. Sounds like you don't have time to get her on live birds

I've got a plucked one in the freezer. :-D

I'm not to concerned with her being a pro. This season will be a learning experience, and she will probably only go when I'm alone so I can work with her without screwing up my buddy's days off. Unless she does better than I expect.

by **NuffDaddy** » Tue Sep 10, 2013 10:04 pm

Redbeard wrote:Oh my I didn't realize she was so young

Yeah. That's why I'm not too worried about it yet. She was born just after new years, so I guess she is a little over 9 months now.

First time in the marsh

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