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Chase...the versitile dog...? Getting there!
Took Chase out for a duck hunt on Wednesday, for the first time. We did a shore hunt from an island, to keep it easy for him, he's almost 18 months.
It took a bit of time for him to settle in, as the pointer in him (he's a pudelpointer), wanted him to search the island, more then sit and wait for ducks to splash down. A half hour in, I had a blue wing teal drop in just outside the spread, I raised up, he raised up, and down he went. Chase stayed at the waters edge until I encouraged the fetch. The bird was a cripple, severely so, so chase had good action to entice his retrieve. About an hour later (slow duck day) I was on the phone giving an update, when three mallards decoyed into the spread (of course). I dropped the phone pulled the trigger, and nothing happened as the safety was on (of course), got the safety off and managed to get the last bird flaring. Again a cripple, so chase was off for his second retrieve. He had a decent swim out to that one, so it's official, that day, he retrieved two ducks. Waited a bit longer, then packed up. A good day!
The next day we did a preserve hunt, and used it mainly as a training lesson. A lot of good things happened, and a couple learning lessons. He had a solid point on a planted chucker, bird was flushed and shot, chase did a good retrieve. The second chucker he also pointed well, but crowded the bird, and he flushed. So I need to watch that in the future.
The phez were another story. Long story short, he had solid long points (3min+) even though three hunters were around him kicking grass and looking for the birds. I learned a lot that day also. Don't think male pheasants are good training birds for a young dog. They run way to much.
Going way up north for a five day grouse hunt in a week. Should be good for him....and me....still lots to learn!
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