HUNTING
Author Scott Haugen and his dog, Echo, on her first wood duck hunt. She retrieved three limits of ducks for a trio of hunters, in a range of conditions she’d never before experienced. (SCOTT HAUGEN)
VARIETY THE SPICE OF LIFE FOR GUN DOGS TOO By Scott Haugen
W
e’re smack in the middle of bird hunting season, meaning there’s no shortage of things to do. Whether you’re a passionate upland hunter chasing chukar, pheasants or Huns this time of year, taking to the water in search of ducks and geese, or heading into the hills for grouse and
quail, there are many options to consider. And when considering the various hunting choices, think first about what it will do for your dog, not you. Because dogs get bored doing the same thing over and over, it’s good to introduce change to them. Be it food, training times, training places, even the hunt itself, I’m always trying to vary our schedule. Of course, my
dogs would be content sitting in our duck blind every day, or working the same mountains for sooty and ruffed grouse. But I try to take them on different hunts whenever I can, as it’s not only exciting for them, but a thrill for me.
TWO SEASONS AGO I took my dog, Echo, on her first wood duck hunt. I grew up hunting woodies near my home in
calsportsmanmag.com | OCTOBER 2020 California Sportsman
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