Spring Training 2025
Winter is stubbornly hanging on in some parts of our area. As you would expect, lower elevations are mostly devoid of snow and ice, while the last remnants of our snowpack remain in the hills, especially on north facing slopes. This has allowed us to get some April training in for each of the dogs, but particularly for the younger ones. Thankfully, the weather and my schedule have allowed us to get out there most days, for at least a couple of hours a day.
Our sessions have generally been between one and two hours per dog, with the goal to always have at least one solid point on a grouse or woodcock. Of course, we're also working on reinforcing the commands that we typically use during our hunts: hunting at an acceptable distance, and recalling upon command. Even though their energy levels have been off the chart in these sessions, the dogs have all been a pleasure to roam the woods with again, and we have been mostly successful in establishing at least one point per session.
The most important command for us, "whoa", gets a lot of attention in these sessions. For the younger dogs, it is given to hold their points longer, and for the older dogs, it is used to hold points through the flush and firing of the starter's pistol. Success at this command has been a little harder to come by as the dogs brush off their winter rust, but some progress has been made with all of them.
Our sessions have generally been between one and two hours per dog, with the goal to always have at least one solid point on a grouse or woodcock. Of course, we're also working on reinforcing the commands that we typically use during our hunts: hunting at an acceptable distance, and recalling upon command. Even though their energy levels have been off the chart in these sessions, the dogs have all been a pleasure to roam the woods with again, and we have been mostly successful in establishing at least one point per session.
The most important command for us, "whoa", gets a lot of attention in these sessions. For the younger dogs, it is given to hold their points longer, and for the older dogs, it is used to hold points through the flush and firing of the starter's pistol. Success at this command has been a little harder to come by as the dogs brush off their winter rust, but some progress has been made with all of them.
Unfortunately, many of the logging roads that we typically venture down in the fall are not open at this time of year (mud season), greatly limiting where we can go, but it has forced us to check out some new areas. Some of the new coverts have been profitable, while others haven't yielded much for us, but it was still good to confirm what was there.
As for the performances of the dogs, Rosie has been pretty impressive so far, generally pointing birds each session and working with great energy and intensity. The younger pups, Rocky and Bella, have both had some very good days, but they have not been as consistent. At two-years old, they are more prone to lapses in attention and require more handling on my part to keep them working closer. Millie and Bode have both worked hard but haven't been as successful - perhaps we're just in the wrong coverts at the wrong time.
We'll keep at it for a couple more weeks and keep scouting for the upcoming spring turkey season - we're seeing tracks and birds out there, so hopefully they have a bountiful breeding season this spring ...
As for the performances of the dogs, Rosie has been pretty impressive so far, generally pointing birds each session and working with great energy and intensity. The younger pups, Rocky and Bella, have both had some very good days, but they have not been as consistent. At two-years old, they are more prone to lapses in attention and require more handling on my part to keep them working closer. Millie and Bode have both worked hard but haven't been as successful - perhaps we're just in the wrong coverts at the wrong time.
We'll keep at it for a couple more weeks and keep scouting for the upcoming spring turkey season - we're seeing tracks and birds out there, so hopefully they have a bountiful breeding season this spring ...
Bella with a solid grouse point a couple of days ago. Held well until the flush - we have plenty of work to do to get her steady to wing (and shot) however.
