Training Days
A whole lot of rain has fallen here in the north country this summer, much more than needed, and while other parts of Vermont and New Hampshire have suffered far worse than us, we're ready for the rain to stop anytime. Being a grouse hunter, all of this rain is a concerning development, as it has been going on for about six weeks, and what we received in June may have been much worse for the grouse and woodcock chick survival than the recent storms that we've gotten. I have heard encouraging reports on grouse sightings from some camp owners that drive the logging roads quite often, so that's the positive side, I guess.
My own observations? While we've been out in the woods a couple of times a week in July, I have mostly been following four-month old puppies in our explorations. While they have a good amount of gusto, they're not the best bird finders ... yet. We have been moving two or three grouse per session most days, but we have not seen much for broods.
As for the puppies, they are making some progress in their training to become suitable companions for us in the woods and at home. Both Rocky (pictured above) and Bella (pictured below) love running in the woods, and after a few sessions following the adult dogs around, they are now running separately, on their own. They are mostly responsive to my commands (which are few), and seem to have no reaction to the firing of the starters pistol, or wearing their hunting bell.
We will continue these woods sessions, a couple of times a week, for the next two months and see how their development goes. They have also been introduced to water, and they both seem to enjoy swimming (Rocky) or flopping around aimlessly (Bella). The rest of the time, we have been doing a lot of check cord yard work, reinforcing the "COME" command, and doing some light retrieving exercises. We have also introduced the "WHOA" command, and progress there will be slow for a while, as puppies aren't generally enthusiastic about standing still for any period of time.
The rest of the dogs are doing well. Rosie is back in prime shape and looks like she'd be ready if the season started tomorrow. Bode is out of shape at the moment, but our August and September training runs should get him back in woods shape quickly. Millie continues to be my project dog - tremendous potential, IF I can get her to slow down and smell the roses (and birds). She would truly be a dynamic performer if I can get it to click in the next two months. At thirteen years old, Monty has happily entered his retirement from guiding for birds. Now if he could figure out how to avoid the never-ending energy of the puppies ...
Meanwhile, the woods are particularly offensive this year. The humidity and wetness of the woods made it feel like I was trudging through the Brazilian rainforest rather than northern New England. Each skidder rut is a flowing stream, and puddles resemble small ponds at this point. Throw in the unending mosquito population, which has flourished this summer - they have been fattening up on me, and seem impervious to whatever repellant I've been putting on, and it is truly miserable out there. Cooler weather, and October, can come anytime as far as I'm concerned.
My own observations? While we've been out in the woods a couple of times a week in July, I have mostly been following four-month old puppies in our explorations. While they have a good amount of gusto, they're not the best bird finders ... yet. We have been moving two or three grouse per session most days, but we have not seen much for broods.
As for the puppies, they are making some progress in their training to become suitable companions for us in the woods and at home. Both Rocky (pictured above) and Bella (pictured below) love running in the woods, and after a few sessions following the adult dogs around, they are now running separately, on their own. They are mostly responsive to my commands (which are few), and seem to have no reaction to the firing of the starters pistol, or wearing their hunting bell.
We will continue these woods sessions, a couple of times a week, for the next two months and see how their development goes. They have also been introduced to water, and they both seem to enjoy swimming (Rocky) or flopping around aimlessly (Bella). The rest of the time, we have been doing a lot of check cord yard work, reinforcing the "COME" command, and doing some light retrieving exercises. We have also introduced the "WHOA" command, and progress there will be slow for a while, as puppies aren't generally enthusiastic about standing still for any period of time.
The rest of the dogs are doing well. Rosie is back in prime shape and looks like she'd be ready if the season started tomorrow. Bode is out of shape at the moment, but our August and September training runs should get him back in woods shape quickly. Millie continues to be my project dog - tremendous potential, IF I can get her to slow down and smell the roses (and birds). She would truly be a dynamic performer if I can get it to click in the next two months. At thirteen years old, Monty has happily entered his retirement from guiding for birds. Now if he could figure out how to avoid the never-ending energy of the puppies ...
Meanwhile, the woods are particularly offensive this year. The humidity and wetness of the woods made it feel like I was trudging through the Brazilian rainforest rather than northern New England. Each skidder rut is a flowing stream, and puddles resemble small ponds at this point. Throw in the unending mosquito population, which has flourished this summer - they have been fattening up on me, and seem impervious to whatever repellant I've been putting on, and it is truly miserable out there. Cooler weather, and October, can come anytime as far as I'm concerned.
