Catch and Release Hunting

[welsh]

On the downside, I'm guessing he didn't hup to the flush on that one.

[duckduckgoose]

Is that an ESS? What kind of dog have you got there?

[Jakezilla]

I think it's safe to say he has a soft mouth.

[Cass]

On the downside, I'm guessing he didn't hup to the flush on that one.

We'll just call it a "hard flush" LOL. Definitely needs some more steadying. Or I could leave him be and sell my guns lmao

[Cass]

Is that an ESS? What kind of dog have you got there?

Nope, ECS

[Cass]

I think it's safe to say he has a soft mouth.

Sure does, just like butter. He was quite pleased with himself. I thought oh god he killed it as he came running to my side with it. As soon as he delivered it to my hand though I realized it was very much alive and very much okay - just scared poopless lol. It always amazes me how our gun dogs can retrieve birds and game through the toughest of conditions and have such a good grip on them without damaging them. Kudos to the pioneers in that field.

[Cass]

I know I've come across a couple Misty didn't see that didn't seem bothered by my presence at all.

I think that is because a rabbit's first instinct is to freeze since they are usually in cover. They only bolt when you get close enough to them to make them feel like they've been spotted.

[BurlyGirl]

We've done some upland hunt tests where many birds get loose and wind up in the cover. I take the girls through later to work on quartering, and both of them have delivered chukar to me, alive, well and without a mark on them. If I may give you a tip, if they deliver it to you, never make the mistake I did and fail to take it firmly. We had done tons of work with pigeons, and the birds always survived and went back to the coop. During one outing, my mom's dog brought me a chukar, and when I went to take it, I treated it the same as I treat dead birds -- I said, "Drop it" to the dog as I put my hands under the bird. The bird, being alive and well, flew away immediately as my hands were not firmly grasping it. DOH -- Dumb A$s Handler. That dog has given me the stink eye with every bird she has retrieved for me since then. So no matter what Jake brings you, be it a bunny, bird or a live snake, take it firmly and let it go when he's not looking (just like you did in this bunny situation. I give you an A+ !)

[Cass]

He's on his own if he brings a snake to me

[The Wife]

What a great story!! I bet he was so proud! LOL! Reminds me of a friend of ours and their young chocolate lab. The story goes that the first summer they had it, still a pup and largely untrained, the dog brought them a live seagull it caught on the beach during a walk. They managed to get this fantastic photo of it coming towards them, the seagull clearly alive and freaked out and the dog carrying it, beaming with great pride and tail wagging away! I'll never forget that photo. We laughed about it being a clear sign that he had himself a good hunting dog! LOL! Makes me wish mine would bring me a rabbit though.