Hope Springs Eternal
The northern New Hampshire winter snows have been rapidly melting over the last few weeks, allowing my pack and I to get out in the woods to work on wild birds again. In other words, the gravy train is over, and they have to get back to work ...
But, can this really be considered "work"? After all, I'm simply following Rosie and Bode, both of whom have a pretty good idea as to why we're out there. They're also exuberantly hitting the woods in search of birds - unlike most employees, there's not much motivation that needs to be undertaken.
This is more like "tuning" them up, giving their usual commands, perhaps a correction when necessary (and they are occasionally), and enjoying getting back in the woods after another long winter. I say "long winter", but it really wasn't that bad - our snowpack was less than normal, and our recent winters have definitely trended on the warm side lately.
The main things that we are concerned with right now is range and holding points, through the flush. Both of them could use a little more conditioning as well, after a particularly slothful winter season. We didn't do as much snowshoeing or skiing as I had hoped, so getting out there over the next couple of weeks should be good for all of us. Even Monty will get in on the fun, and it's always great watching an old dog, using an economy of motion, work grouse and woodcock.
But, can this really be considered "work"? After all, I'm simply following Rosie and Bode, both of whom have a pretty good idea as to why we're out there. They're also exuberantly hitting the woods in search of birds - unlike most employees, there's not much motivation that needs to be undertaken.
This is more like "tuning" them up, giving their usual commands, perhaps a correction when necessary (and they are occasionally), and enjoying getting back in the woods after another long winter. I say "long winter", but it really wasn't that bad - our snowpack was less than normal, and our recent winters have definitely trended on the warm side lately.
The main things that we are concerned with right now is range and holding points, through the flush. Both of them could use a little more conditioning as well, after a particularly slothful winter season. We didn't do as much snowshoeing or skiing as I had hoped, so getting out there over the next couple of weeks should be good for all of us. Even Monty will get in on the fun, and it's always great watching an old dog, using an economy of motion, work grouse and woodcock.
Rosie points a pair of grouse on April 8 - sorry about the camera work - those grouse are just too fast!
Bode points a woodcock on April 10. The "little russet fellows" are back in the north country and we should get some good training over the next couple of weeks.
The real task at hand this spring is working with Rosie's sister "Millie", who has hunted but has never received proper training on grouse and woodcock. At five years old, she has the same genetics as Rosie and a tremendous prey drive, but she would be considered a "raw talent" if being scouted for Major League Baseball.
Can old dogs learn new tricks? Not sure, but we have a lot of work to do, and most of it will be done in "whoa" training. That's a long process and we started her lessons in the last week. She's showing potential, and is biddable so far. We'll take it slow and try to build her up to a point where she can be a contributing member of our team. Time will tell ...
Can old dogs learn new tricks? Not sure, but we have a lot of work to do, and most of it will be done in "whoa" training. That's a long process and we started her lessons in the last week. She's showing potential, and is biddable so far. We'll take it slow and try to build her up to a point where she can be a contributing member of our team. Time will tell ...
