One of the benefits to keeping your dog fit all through the year is that when they get a chance to hunt, they are ready to go. Taking any dog off the couch and putting them in a field to hunt can lead to overexertion and injury. This is especially true for a senior dog. Thunder will be 9 in March and although he has slowed down a bit, he is always ready to hunt!
If you have been keeping track of our hunt from last Saturday, you might remember that we were hunting a 75 acre field and we had the preserve put 10 birds in that field. Freighter and Storm each got 4 of the birds. That left two for Thunder. But we heard a bird in a thick stand of trees that even Storm could not get through, so there was probably only one of our 10 left.
Sometimes there are birds leftover from other hunts and the dogs find those, but not always. The previous day was so cold and snowy, chances are that any leftover birds were pretty well dug in and we were running out of time because we only had the use of the field until noon.
We got to our field a bit late in the morning. Freighter and Storm hunted first so Thunder did not get out to hunt until after 11am. He had the most difficult hunt of the day because he was only really looking for one bird in 75 acres and the area we had him hunting was mostly really heavy cover, including slough grass.
After running around the field a bit and needing some reinforcement of his recall, Thunder got down to business.
He found a hen at the way back of the field.
We knew he was on a bird because he stopped and turned his head to make sure the hunter was ready.
Then he flushed it.
Thunder worked more of the field looking for birds. There was a deer blind to one side of the field and Thunder got really birdie in several spots around it, but if there had been any birds there, they moved on. This area butted right up to the next field so the area we were able to hunt was limited.
We hunted around the pond, but no birds there either.
We were running short on time so we hunted back toward the car.
We let Thunder just use his nose to see if he might pick up anything so now and again we waded back into the higher cover.
By the time we got back to the truck, it was noon and our time was up. We had wanted to run Freighter and Storm together as a brace back through that field to see if they might flush any leftover birds. Oh well after many trips back and forth through that large field, we were pretty tired, so we called it a day. Maybe next time!
Now to change gears a bit. I am posting this for someone who needs to re-home her cat and dog. They are located in south New Jersey. If you know anyone who can help these two find a new home, I know it would take a burden off their owner.
Here is the information I have:
This is Binx, a 2 year old part Persian male rescue cat. The owner has had him since he was a kitten and is very lovable. He is neutered.
This is Boo Boo, a 9 year old Pomeranian Pug mix female, NOT spayed and a lap dog. A senior dog but lovable and in good health for her age.
Did you know it is adopt a senior pet month?
Please if you can share or know anyone who can give either of these two a forever home leave a comment and I can put you in touch with the right person.
Finally Jodi and I want to congratulate JoAnn Stancer of Sand Spring Chesapeakes for winning our Howling Good Give-Away. Thanks to everyone who entered.
Many thanks too SlimDoggy, MyGBGV Life, and To Dog with Love for the FitDog Friday Blog Hop!
Have a nice weekend!
That’s sure a good workout for Thunder. Love that he stopped to make sure hubby was ready to shoot before he flushed the bird! Smart boy.
Well done to Thunder. That was some tally there. Have a fabulous Friday.
Best wishes Molly
Wish we were closer to New Jersey :-/
Good results from the hunting!
What a fantastic hunt for Thunder! Looking at your photos and reading about the hunt reminded me of one of my favorite dog books. It’s by Rick Bass and it’s about his best ever bird dog. If you enjoy reading on the long winter nights you might like to track it down. I’m not a hunter but reading his book helped me understand the teamwork involved, and the training.
It looks like Thunder had a good time even if the other dogs took most of the birds 😉
Great point that dogs have to stay fit. So many humans just assume a dog can get up and run five miles or go for a 3 hour walk, but as with humans, we need to train and get into condition first. Your dogs are lucky to get to do what they were born to do! Thanks for joining the hop.
Thunder!! Nice to see you doing what you were bred to do. You and your dad make a great team!
That Thunder looks to see if the hunter is ready gives me chills. I love how he is hunting as part of a unit!
Way to go Thunder, you are awesome, sorry you didn’t get to hunt longer, next time. Awesome photos again! Hope those guys find a home real soon. Thank you so much for the giveaway I won, I am excited to check out the goodies.
It’s great that your dogs are fit all year! Mr. N is too although we don’t have to contend with the snow that you have. Although we will be visiting again this year!
Great photos, and congratulations on a very successful hunt. I’m still looking for my first Pheasant of the season!
Great post! Thunder is so cute and I think it’s cool that he gets to do what he was bred for!
Binx and Boo Boo sure look sweet. I hope this helps them find a great forever home 🙂 Looks like a great day for the pups!
Looks like some very successful flushing and shooting to us….very nice looking birds too. Amazing pictures! We hope those two sweeties are in a new loving home by now. Hugs and nose kisses
At least he got the one bird, and I hope he just enjoys getting out there for some fresh air and exercise! He sure tried hard!
Such a great workout for Thunder – and even though the others may have gotten the other birds he sure looks happy getting out there and working. And I agree; keeping your dogs active all year round is important; sometimes it’s easy to find myself slacking a bit in the winter with the shorter daylight hours but I’m improvised and had to come up with a bunch of indoor games as well. Oh and we got a sweet glow in the dark ball that I’m looking forward to trying out 🙂
Hi Y’all!
Glad y’all had a great hunt. So sorry you only found one bird, Thunder.
Y’all come by now,
Hawk aka BrownDog
Poor Thunder, do you think he was disappointed he only got the one bird? Will you hunt him first the next time? 🙂