THE GRIFF Posted October 3, 2012 Report Share Posted October 3, 2012 This is my first season wildfowling and am really enjoying it so far. I have been reading other posts in this section for the last few weeks but not really posted myself and just wondered how many ducks and geese people on here are shooting and wether the numbers will drop as the season goes on. My total for September is listed below and I have been out for an hour on a morning and an hour on a night 3 times a week. Gadwall 5 Shoveler 6 Mallard 17 Tufted 1 Pintail 1 Canada 1 Pink 1 As my pup is still very young I have also had to pick my shots to make sure the birds can be retrieved, on Sunday night she retrieved her first 2 mallard in deeper water where she had to swim to get them, she did well considering she is only 6 months old. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reabrook Posted October 3, 2012 Report Share Posted October 3, 2012 That's an impressive tally of ducks and one many fowlers won't make in a season. It's also an awful lot of work for a six month old dog? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
THE GRIFF Posted October 3, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 3, 2012 That's an impressive tally of ducks and one many fowlers won't make in a season. It's also an awful lot of work for a six month old dog? Most ducks have been retrieved by her mother which belongs to someone else that I often shoot with, only on occasion have I had to rely on my pup but the last couple of weeks she has started to retrieve in the reeds and deeper bits in the marsh, when I say deep, I mean 2-3 foot, it's deep for her though as she cant touch the bottom. Not long distances upto about 10-15 yard in water and only if she sees them drop. That's an impressive tally of ducks and one many fowlers won't make in a season. It's also an awful lot of work for a six month old dog? Most ducks have been retrieved by her mother which belongs to someone else that I often shoot with, only on occasion have I had to rely on my pup but the last couple of weeks she has started to retrieve in the reeds and deeper bits in the marsh, when I say deep, I mean 2-3 foot, it's deep for her though as she cant touch the bottom. Not long distances upto about 10-15 yard in water and only if she sees them drop. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reabrook Posted October 3, 2012 Report Share Posted October 3, 2012 I'd still say you were pushing that Pup at six months old Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wildfowler12 Posted October 3, 2012 Report Share Posted October 3, 2012 That's a huge tally, but I suppose you've been out alot too. I've had 10 ducks so far, 7 mallard and 3 gadwall. I consider that to be a big return!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scolopax Posted October 3, 2012 Report Share Posted October 3, 2012 Excellent bag if it is foreshore. 6 flights, 4 blanks. 2 canada's and a Greylag on openeing weekend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
THE GRIFF Posted October 3, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 3, 2012 I'd still say you were pushing that Pup at six months old I would disagree, she has come out with me sitting in a hide since the season started watching what the other dogs are doing and occasionally retrieving a bird if she sees it drop. Only on Sunday did she retrieve her first 2 birds in water and she did it because she wanted to, I have never pushed her or made her do anything she doesn't want to do. She was as pleased as I was when she retrieved the first one and ran straight back out for the other one. Whenever I pick my gun up she is at the door exited, I would have to take her for a walk if she didn't come shooting anyway so it makes sense to just take her shooting, if she wants to retrieve and it's all fun and games to her then I don't see a problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reabrook Posted October 3, 2012 Report Share Posted October 3, 2012 I would disagree, she has come out with me sitting in a hide since the season started watching what the other dogs are doing and occasionally retrieving a bird if she sees it drop. Only on Sunday did she retrieve her first 2 birds in water and she did it because she wanted to, I have never pushed her or made her do anything she doesn't want to do. She was as pleased as I was when she retrieved the first one and ran straight back out for the other one. Whenever I pick my gun up she is at the door exited, I would have to take her for a walk if she didn't come shooting anyway so it makes sense to just take her shooting, if she wants to retrieve and it's all fun and games to her then I don't see a problem. Different people different strokes. It's your dog and you do as you see fit. It was more of an observation based on many years experience than a criticism. I'd be interested to know what breed it is and how it's bred? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
THE GRIFF Posted October 3, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 3, 2012 (edited) Different people different strokes. It's your dog and you do as you see fit. It was more of an observation based on many years experience than a criticism. I'd be interested to know what breed it is and how it's bred? Like I said, I am new to all of this wildfowling and only really being shooting a shotgun regular for the last 12 months so any advise would be appreciated, I was just trying to stress how I feel I haven't pushed her into anything. I have no previous experience with training a gun dog and reading things on the Internet you get 1000 different answers on how to do things. I have been lucky that she wanted to retrieve from an early age and like other pups off the same bitch is doing really well in my opinion. My cousin has a bitch from a previous litter and so do a couple of other people we know and they have all turned out to be excellent workers, all taken out from being young. Her mother is a black lab and dad a fox red lab. The mother of the bitch (my dogs grandmother) was a well bread pedigree and the fox red lab (my dogs father) is also a well bread pedigree although my dogs mother has no papers I know they are very good working lines and am not really bothered about having papers anyway. Edited October 3, 2012 by THE GRIFF Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
THE GRIFF Posted October 3, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 3, 2012 That's a huge tally, but I suppose you've been out alot too. I've had 10 ducks so far, 7 mallard and 3 gadwall. I consider that to be a big return!! I have been out alot and a few times had 4 or 5 birds, so that boosted up the totals, there has been alot of times I have blanked and not even seen a duck in range but I suppose that's shooting for you. Most ducks have been shot from a hide on a inland marsh or from near a couple of flight ponds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reabrook Posted October 3, 2012 Report Share Posted October 3, 2012 OK perhaps you misunderstood my use of the word push. I wasn't accusing you of forcing (pushing) the dog into doing anything. However in my judgement 6 months is far too early for any dog to be in the field. At that age it is still very much a pup and one bad experience will put it off for life. It's body is not fully formed and it will be unable to cope with some of physical expectations and the weather conditions to come. By allowing it to see birds fall and then retrieve them you are encouraging it to run in. That may be what you want and that is up to you. By retrieving birds without being asked to it risks encountering a strong running bird which with it's tender age and lack of experience could well lead to disaster and a dog ruined for life. Young dogs are trained on success. It won't take many dumps in cold water with nothing at the end of it before it decides that water is not for me. The list is endless. You say you'd appreciate advice so this would be mine. Spend the time between now and 01 Sep 13 training your pup following a decent programme or book and rely on your Mate's dog or pick your shots for this season. My guess is by the time next season comes around and you have a fully trained companion you won't regret it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
THE GRIFF Posted October 3, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 3, 2012 I now understand what you are saying and when the bad weather starts I may have to think if it is appropriate to take her or not, at the moment if she sees a bird drop she will look at me first and wait until I point and say "get on" before she runs in. I have never shot at a bird where it would drop somewhere I couldn't retrieve it myself or relied on the pup (Tara) to retrieve anything that's why I said I have been choosing my shots carefully although there has been occasions when I have needed another dog to retrieve a winged bird. I know what you saying and thanks for the advise, at the moment I don't think I am doing her any harm but as the weather gets worse I may have to rethink. If nothing else it gets her used to other dogs, the gun, flushing the reeds, sitting by my side when in the hide and all of the smells and other things. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
washwildfowler Posted October 3, 2012 Report Share Posted October 3, 2012 GRIFF there is Nothing wrong with a natural retriever , but taking a dog out shooting from that young age and letting it retrieve will have its consequences later on in life ,i know she's your first dog and you want her out with you, also working for you there is no better feeling seeing your dog work and knowing all the hard work you have put into her has paid off . I was the same many years ago ,i had my first dog retrieving down the marsh at 8 months old and it ruined her .she would run in on every shot even if i was shooting with a friend and we were 50 yards apart ,she would run in if she see his birds drop or herd him shoot .plus as the season gets on it will be to cold for her and that could cause her to refuse to enter water if to cold. Take your time with her, make sure you get that special bond with her ,and she will do anything you ask of her . This is not a go at you, just me talking from my own experience of ruining my first dog because i was to keen to get her working and i made a lot of mistakes with her which ruined her . Well done on your bags of ducks and geese . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wildfowler.250 Posted October 3, 2012 Report Share Posted October 3, 2012 That's a fair haul of birds. i've only been down at the shore and had 6 greys, a pink and 7 mallard. But I'm down at uni and about 4 hours away from where I shoot so not doing too bad. I'm not having a go either...I wouldnt take my dog out till at least nearly a year. But as you say a little here and there is probably fine. Each to their own ps i have seen a guy take a 8 week old pup out for part of the day shooting to run with it's mum....madness! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Mat Posted October 3, 2012 Report Share Posted October 3, 2012 Thats 33 more birds than i've had this season! But i've had a damn good time on the 10 flights i've been out on, i'd be out right now but its too warm! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ayano3 Posted October 3, 2012 Report Share Posted October 3, 2012 Well I have done quite a few trips myself and so far its been pretty poor return if your counting numbers. What makes up for that is the fact I have been under duck but many have been out of range and I would rather not shoot than wound them for them to fly on and die many hours later. My chances will come at some point. My rewards this season so far as been taking out new members and getting them some shooting and at the same time passing on some valuable tips and information. But, if I don't soon come back with something I will be calling at the game dealer on my way home. Nice bag you have these. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wildfowlingmad Posted October 3, 2012 Report Share Posted October 3, 2012 Thats an incredable amount birds! I am very happy with my rather more modest start to the season of 2 Gadwall 1 Tufted and a greylag, much better start than last season, it should really get going here in november when the wigeon arrive, some pinks floating about already too, things are looking up! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fenlander Posted October 3, 2012 Report Share Posted October 3, 2012 Griff its none of my buisness what you do with your dog, and i can fully understand how you want to have a dog with you when you go shooting,but at that age you are at least six mounths to early and more than likley 12 mounths to early. If you want to end up with a well trained and well behaved gundog you have to get all the basics in place first, Even fully trained dogs of 3 years up ,if taken out shooting a lot in a season, will start to develope small faults,which there owners spend the off season trying to correct,and because the basics have been learnt,it is usually easy to correct these faults by going back to the basics ,but if you dont have that foundation there in the first place,and the dog dos develope a fault, it will take far longer to sort the problem and some will never be cured. I dont mean the above as a criticism ,just trying to offer some advice,as it would be a shame to spoil a well bred dog ,that you will have for many years ,just for the sake of a few months shooting this season. my total this year 3 marsh flights 1 mallard 2 inland flights 14 mix of mallard and Teal Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spaniel Posted October 3, 2012 Report Share Posted October 3, 2012 This is my first season wildfowling and am really enjoying it so far. I have been reading other posts in this section for the last few weeks but not really posted myself and just wondered how many ducks and geese people on here are shooting and wether the numbers will drop as the season goes on. My total for September is listed below and I have been out for an hour on a morning and an hour on a night 3 times a week. Gadwall 5 Shoveler 6 Mallard 17 Tufted 1 Pintail 1 Canada 1 Pink 1 As my pup is still very young I have also had to pick my shots to make sure the birds can be retrieved, on Sunday night she retrieved her first 2 mallard in deeper water where she had to swim to get them, she did well considering she is only 6 months old. well done, im still struggling to get out at the present time and i may get my 1st duck of the season soon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomaddy525 Posted October 3, 2012 Report Share Posted October 3, 2012 where abouts you shooting at GRIFF? North east?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve0146 Posted October 3, 2012 Report Share Posted October 3, 2012 My lab is 2 and a bit now. She came out last year for a few trips (around 14 months old) and a few pigeon shooting trips. Only had 3 trips out this year but the difference in her is amazing. Puppyness has gone (almost!) and now concentrates on the job in hand. I know plenty of others who have to tether their dog in the hide to stop it running in. And then end up throwing things in the direction of the bird to encourage a retrieve. Yet these were the same people who an amazing dog at 6 or 7 months and were retreiving birds like a pro. Not saying this applies to this post but it does pay to take it easy for a year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wildfowler.250 Posted October 18, 2012 Report Share Posted October 18, 2012 So how's everyone getting on? I'm on 13 geese, 9 mallard and a wigeon. Only getting out every other weekend though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Mat Posted October 18, 2012 Report Share Posted October 18, 2012 (edited) I've not shot a thing, seen plenty thought and had a few shots. Some i should have got but my shooting let me down. However, as i said before, i've enjoyed myself. I don't think you can judge how well a season is going on how much you have shot. Edited October 18, 2012 by Big Mat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wildfowler.250 Posted October 18, 2012 Report Share Posted October 18, 2012 However, as i said before, i've enjoyed myself. That's the main thing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
washwildfowler Posted October 18, 2012 Report Share Posted October 18, 2012 So how's everyone getting on? I'm on 13 geese, 9 mallard and a wigeon. Only getting out every other weekend though. i have had a excellent start to the season...... it's been my best start for a few years because of being out of work , i shall not say how many i have shot .... last time i did, i was hung drawn and quartered ....... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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