Trialing versus Hunting

That for the most of us really is not much of a question. Hunting is first and foremost on my list. BUT it is really great to be able to get your dogs into some preseason birds, get yourself and dogs into shape and also enjoy our fellow hunter’s stories and thoughts of the upcoming season.

Pen raised birds vs. wild birds, do I even need to compare them. Your dogs know the difference. So why do you expect them to react the same. It has been warm at the trials in the afternoons, your dogs get hot and start to breath threw their mouths not their noses. Can’t blame them for that! The birds have been raised around humans their whole life and they don’t have much to be afraid of. Matter of fact they may think you are coming with their daily feed bucket .One bird, no trail scent, and it fears nothing, not much to get excited about for a dog.

Picture this. You get the dogs out of their dog boxes on a back road in Nebraska, temperature about 40 degrees, slight breeze, the CRP is damp with dew, a corn field just on the other side of the road and tracks from birds are everywhere. The scent of a least eight birds is hanging on the grass. These eight feathery track stars have heard you and are on the move and frightened. They are breathing heavy and rapidly putting scent in the air, listening to every sound coming from behind them and it seems to be rapidly gaining. Hide, hold very still (but still breathing very fast) the sounds of the weeds moving behind them has stopped (dog is on point) they see a six foot animal getting closer; I have got to get out of here NOW !!!!

With these situations being explained like this, and if you were your dog, which would you do a better job at? Have fun at the trials, and have a very successful hunting season.

Check out the trial standings we have some real races going on. The championship team is rapidly being put together. Our last trial for the year is October 25. Our next meeting at the library is the 28th plan to attend, see you there. Remember, if you have a TBDC sticker on your truck while hunting, you are representing this club, one bad apple, etc.

When I plan to travel long hours for a trip, I will feed my dogs 24 hours before. This assures that they will relieve themselves in plenty of time before having to ride in the box on the trip. No accidental mess will take place. Remember, Safety first! See you in the field.

GSPTRNR”Greg”