Duck hunting
 

Saturday dawned with a hard frost, clear skies and around 30 degrees. A good day to take my best friend duck hunting. :)

He's going on 11 years old, and moves pretty slow most of the time. But he thinks he's a pup again when the shotgun comes out.
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j2...s/P1270481.jpg

Taking a break, waiting for some to fly over.
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j2...s/P1270476.jpg

The few we saw were too high/far away for a clean shot, so in order to satisfy his need (to retrieve), I threw the dummy into the lake a few times.
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j2...s/P1270484.jpg
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j2...s/P1270494.jpg
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j2...s/P1270486.jpg
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j2...s/P1270501.jpg
Aw, do we have to go? C'mon, throw it a few more times! (I did.)
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j2...s/P1270506.jpg

Although we came home empty-handed, it was a good day in the field. ;)

Re: Duck hunting
 

beautiful dog, looks like a great pal. and trained very well ;)

Re: Duck hunting
 

Perty shots :), makes me miss duckin over my lab as a kid.

Airslot

Re: Duck hunting
 

I have a 4 year old lab and I swear that half the time I go hunting it is for him. He will stay in place waiting for the birds but he will be shaking with excitement the whole time.

2F

Re: Duck hunting
 

Great pictures Pipe. ;D ;D

Re: Duck hunting
 

Very nice! Billy Mac ;D

Re: Duck hunting
 

Thanks, everybody! :D

Fiddle, my boy is much the same way. When he has to sit still (in the blind) he begins to tremble, and even makes low, gutteral noises . . . not a growl, not a whine. Hunting is the ONLY time he ever does that. I enjoy hunting, but to see him work and his enthusiasm, that's what really motivates me to go!

Re: Duck hunting
 

Pipe - Does he see or hear the ducks before you do? My lab will turn and look the direction the birds are coming before I see or hear them.

He also gives "The Look" when you shoot and there is nothing for him to retreive.

2F

Re: Duck hunting
 

I can't say that he hears them before me. His hearing isn't what it used to be.

But he will give me the look, or he'll look away and let out a big SIGH.

Re: Duck hunting
 

Ooo... that is tough. At least my dog keeps looking at me. Did your wife help with the training?

Re: Duck hunting
 

To tell the truth Fiddle, he never had any hunting training. My wife and I show our dogs (both Labs) in obedience trials, and when he was 5 or 6 years old I made plans to go to an AKC hunt "test" to observe and see what was required of dog and handler. The folks presiding over it encouraged me to bring him, and I did, although with no small amount of trepidation. Long story short, he passed his Working Dog test that day. I couldn't have been more amazed. I believe that day was a testiment to his breeding (his dad was quite a hunter). While he did well in obedience (he has 4 titles), never in the obedience ring did he exhibit the enthusiasm that he did and does in the field. Makes me feel bad that I can't take him more often, because he gets such a charge out of the days when I do. Now I'm not saying he would win any hunting test prizes, because he's not really disciplined in it to the degree that those dogs are -- but he and I are simply in it to have a good time and enjoy the day. ;)

Re: Duck hunting
 

Four and a half years ago I was supposed to get a black lab. Great breeding from both sides. During delivery the majority of the puppies were lost and I did not get one. I was rather upset by the whole process.

Shortly after that my friend's yellow got loose and met up with a britney. You know what happens shortly after that.

I was not sure that I wanted a mutt but he has been the best dog of my life. The mix took the hyper out of the britney and the fat & lazy out of the lab. He has the temperment of the lab and a great nose in the feild.

I hunt him three mornings a week in the fall. He comes with me to work and everywhere else for that matter.

Man's best friend.

2F

Re: Duck hunting
 

Sound great, Fiddle. You're a lucky man.
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j2...ies/cheers.gif

Re: Duck hunting
 

Pipe and Fiddle, you guys are lucky men. To know dogs like that is a special thing in life. To work with them like that is priceless. I know ;)

Re: Duck hunting
 

If it weren't for the dogs, I'd never have duck hunted...they're the big payoff for me... ;)


2F, to this day, the best/smartest/straightest and everything else you could want in a retriever was a cross between a black lab and a golden retriever...Zeke was an awesome dog ...a ''once-in-a-lifetime-dog"...belonged to my best friend...this computer doesn't have enough megs to tell you all the stories... ;D :'( ...

Re: Duck hunting
 

Gorgeous animal!!!!

Awesome report too!