Bird Dogs Afield host Paul Fuller is the gun dog columnist for Northwoods Sporting Journal. The Journal has granted permission to re-print Paul’s articles. Thank you Northwoods Sporting Journal.

Opening Day Preparation & Excitement

We patiently waited through a long winter, enjoyed a few days of spring and have been counting the days through the long hot summer; October is now here.

In preparation for October, what have we actually done the past two months? We’ve exercised both our dogs and ourselves and we’re now in top condition. About two months ago, we changed our dog’s diet to higher protein/fat content. We’ve scouted our old coverts and identified new coverts. We’ve done that because we know that coverts grow old and we want to add one new good covert each season.

We’ve worked the dog on wild birds, if possible; but, if not possible, we’ve worked him on a few pen-raised birds. He broke and chased on the first bird or two but then remembered the drill and stayed steady to wing and shot. He’s told us that he’s ready to go. We’ve gone to the local range and shot two or three rounds of trap, skeet or sporting clays. We liked the results.

We’ve put in for vacation and we’ve been to camp to prepare for opening week. As a little brown-nose gesture, we invited the boss to come up and hunt for a day or two; but we knew in advance he wasn’t a hunter and would say “no thanks”.

We’ve put fresh batteries in the e-collar, GPS and camera. We’ve sewn the button back on our bird pants, washed a little leftover blood from the vest, found last year’s hunting license and bought a new pair of boots.

We’re pretty happy with our preparation, but know there is more to do and to think about.

Keep in mind that the Lyme disease carrying deer tick is more common in the fall than in the spring. More dogs and people are infected by the deer tick bite in the fall so be prepared.

Here is one of the most important steps you can take to help assure an enjoyable season afield with your dog(s). The first day or two, have only your hunting friend, or friends, carry a gun. You, the dog owner, should just handle your dog. The excitement of wild birds can cause a dog to momentarily forget his training and break point and chase. That needs to be corrected immediately. To do this, you must be totally committed to what your dog is doing and not preparing to shoot birds. If you’ve done your pre-season work with your dog, it will only take a few wild bird flushes to bring him back to being a steady dog. You know the old saying…an ounce of prevention?

Any new hunters in camp? Be sure to carefully, but strongly, talk about the etiquette of shooting over a dog. Explain how we always know where both the dog and our hunting friends are located at all times. We never shoot a running bird when hunting with a dog (further comment below). We make every effort to see blue sky before pulling the trigger.

Speaking of etiquette, perhaps you’ll be invited to hunt with someone who has a bird dog. If you want to ever be invited back, here are some guidelines. First, don’t take your dog unless he’s specifically invited. Amongst hard-core bird dog folks, it’s not a big party where everyone puts their dog on the ground. Different dogs may be at different levels of training. You run dogs that are at the same level. There will be some hard feelings, and a short hunt, if your host has a dog that honors point and your dog runs through the point and busts the bird. Also, if your host has a “brag dog”, he may really want to show off his dog and not share the limelight with another dog…no matter how good your dog is.

Perhaps your host has a dog that is not that great. Unless you want to say good things, keep your judgment to yourself. No matter what level of training they’ve had, most dog owners think their dog is pretty darn good.

I mention above that I would comment further on shooting birds on the ground. My comments are directed toward the Ruffed grouse. In the latest issue of Upland Almanac, there is quite the controversy with “Letters to the Editor” over an earlier column that stated that most local Maine hunters shoot their birds on the ground. The irate letters to the editor complained that this is not true and that the Ruffed grouse is too majestic to dispatch in this manner. I’ve commented in this column on this issue before but I want to again mention my opinion. First, I don’t find criticism with anyone who takes his or her birds within the confines of the law. For me, personally, I find much more enjoyment shooting a grouse on the wing over good dog work. Not everyone has dogs, but everyone loves a good grouse breast. Of course shooting a grouse on the ground is not hunting…it’s simply shooting. Enough, for now, on this controversy.

No matter what level dog you have or how you harvest your grouse, make good use of October. It’s a beautiful time of the year, and like all beauty, it comes and goes in a hurry. Good hunting and good shooting, my friends.

Paul Fuller is host of the Bird Dogs Afield WebTV program which may be viewed on the MyOutdoorTV.com network. Through cooperation with Northwoods Sporting Journal, Paul’s previous columns are now available on his website which is www.birddogsafield.com. Paul may be reached at paul@birddogsafield.com.