Cyrus1988 Posted September 12, 2013 Report Share Posted September 12, 2013 Thinking about giving wildfowling a go, everything I've seen and heard makes it sound like great fun. The only thing I've been worried about is how important is it having a dog? Does anybody get by without one? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Mat Posted September 12, 2013 Report Share Posted September 12, 2013 There are several people in the club i am in that do not use a dog and they get by just fine. I think it depends on what marsh, some places you can walk to get birds and other have very big creeks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted September 12, 2013 Report Share Posted September 12, 2013 I have done but its limiting on most marshes. Duck like to fly with water under them which means most end up in the water. Also Ducks fly out to feed at dark so finding them is a lot harder with no dog. If your a first timer you will likely be accompanied anyhow and one might reasonably assume that person will have a dog. I know one club who ban all guns without a dog in party and another that don't allow dogs ( I will never join the latter) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry P Posted September 12, 2013 Report Share Posted September 12, 2013 No dogs allowed Kent, do they say why as I find that crazy. I shot for one season without a dog and it was very limiting, basically morning flights and only over shallow water. I will never be without one again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris o Posted September 12, 2013 Report Share Posted September 12, 2013 Be honest i wouldnt go out with out one of my dogs with me especiely if under the moon. As you have lots of cover that a winged bird can hide in and not be found as already said if on the foreshore high chance of it dropping in the wash. Plus there handy for flushing snipe. To me there a must. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reabrook Posted September 12, 2013 Report Share Posted September 12, 2013 (edited) I won't go fowling without a dog but I know people that do. All Clubs are different one I'm in insists that every member has a dog another that a dog capable of retrieving accompanies the party. Yet another has no policy on dogs what so ever. For me my dogs are part of the whole experience but I understand we're not all in a position to keep one. I think if your just starting out then a dog should be an aspiration. Once you've decided that fowling is for you a nessesity. It's possible to rely on friends and and colleagues but nowhere near as satisfying Edited September 12, 2013 by Reabrook Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xav Posted September 12, 2013 Report Share Posted September 12, 2013 Not only is a dog essential if you shoot the tide or to find winged birds on an evening flight but it also provides company when out for a long time. If you can't have a dog, as long as you shoot with someone who has one, it's fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anser2 Posted September 12, 2013 Report Share Posted September 12, 2013 (edited) With care if is possible to go wildfowling without a dog , but you will miss many oppertunities not being able to shoot some of the most productive areas. If you do go without a dog , make sure you are shooting in an area with little of no cover to the birds are easy to find and not over water too deep to wade. Also pack up once the light starts to fade as you will not be able to find many birds in the darkness. Its easy for some to say you should not shoot without a dog , but for a few people its impossible ( know a couple of very keen lads who are away for much of the year at university ) . I also do not think its fair to ask a gundog to sit for hours on end in the bottom of a wet muddy creek in the freezing cold on the open mudflats where any bird you drop will fall in the open and easily picked up. As for me I have shot without a dog years ago a few times , but today I never venture onto the marsh without one, indeed I find working a dog on a retreve more enjoyable than shooting . Edited September 12, 2013 by anser2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dawntredder Posted September 12, 2013 Report Share Posted September 12, 2013 av been using one for 4 seasons b4 that a just went swimming for mine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cyrus1988 Posted September 12, 2013 Author Report Share Posted September 12, 2013 Thanks for all the replies guys. Reabuck, it's Gloucester Wildfolwers I'm hoping to go out and have a try with. Hopefully my circumstances change in the next few years and allow me to get a dog. Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reabrook Posted September 12, 2013 Report Share Posted September 12, 2013 Thanks for all the replies guys. Reabuck, it's Gloucester Wildfolwers I'm hoping to go out and have a try with. Hopefully my circumstances change in the next few years and allow me to get a dog. Cheers Are you booking a Taster Flight or applying for Membership. If your booking a taster you should be placed with a guide who has a dog. Even as an associate member it should be possible to be guided by members with dogs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cyrus1988 Posted September 12, 2013 Author Report Share Posted September 12, 2013 Are you booking a Taster Flight or applying for Membership. If your booking a taster you should be placed with a guide who has a dog. Even as an associate member it should be possible to be guided by members with dogs Yeah it's a taster flight I've applied for. I was at Frampton last weekend and met your guys for chat. Really looking forward to it, I was told it may take a while though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ayano3 Posted September 12, 2013 Report Share Posted September 12, 2013 I shot one season without a dog many years ago and found nothing more frustrating than seeing a dead mallard laid on the mud on the opposite side of a big creek 3/4 full of water and no way to get over it without putting myself at serious risk. As much as I tried to shoot only birds I thought I could pick up it didn't work. I appreciate that not everyone can have a dog and I know a few who don't have dogs and have a decent success rate on the marsh, but I believe it is our duty to find any shot, especially wounded bird, as best we can and as quick as we can. For that very reason I think it is essential that we own or at least go with someone with a good dog. One morning flight last season my dog, who is a good dog, disappeared only to come back with a Pink from a creek on the way to where I intended to shoot. That bird would have died a long and slow death. Admittedly they don't find every bird but they do give you a far better chance. One other point is that if you shoot a bird half way through the flight and you wander around looking for it you could easily compromise others peoples shooting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pole Star Posted September 12, 2013 Report Share Posted September 12, 2013 Get a dog mate as all pricked birds will make back to water if they can & if they have only enough steam left to make cover that is where they will try for & remember this a pricked & un recovered bird will die a slow lingering death so if you have a conscience get a dog & look after it . Pole Star Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Albert 888 Posted September 12, 2013 Report Share Posted September 12, 2013 Yes dogs are needed. If you havent got one dont rush into getting one just see if you can tag along with someone who has one. Working the dogs is part of why I enjoy wildfowing. I have gone without mine but you soon realize why you need them. Both of mine are a pain in the bum at times but wouldnt be without them. The only wildfowlers who get by without one are chancers. All the best Albert. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Penelope Posted September 13, 2013 Report Share Posted September 13, 2013 (edited) My wildfowling has been curtailed because of the lack of a dog, as I personally don't think it's ethical to shoot anywhere near water or at dusk without one, also, I am not in a position to have one as I am out of the house for 12 hours a day 5 days a week. I dropped out of my wildfowling before last season because the Lab that my dad and I share is too old now for the rigors of coastal shooting. As kent says, shooting wildfowl without one is very limiting. I have done but its limiting on most marshes. Duck like to fly with water under them which means most end up in the water. Also Ducks fly out to feed at dark so finding them is a lot harder with no dog. If your a first timer you will likely be accompanied anyhow and one might reasonably assume that person will have a dog. I know one club who ban all guns without a dog in party and another that don't allow dogs ( I will never join the latter) Edited September 13, 2013 by Penelope Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TIDES EDGE Posted September 13, 2013 Report Share Posted September 13, 2013 I would not go out without a dog or someone with a dog its a must for wildfowling but there again I wont even go pigeon shooting without a dog IMO they are a must for all shooting apart from clays Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reabrook Posted September 13, 2013 Report Share Posted September 13, 2013 Yeah it's a taster flight I've applied for. I was at Frampton last weekend and met your guys for chat. Really looking forward to it, I was told it may take a while though. We may have already spoken then. It will take a while as we are currently tweaking the system. If it goes beyond a couple of weeks send me a PM and I'll chase it up for you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
what rabbit Posted September 13, 2013 Report Share Posted September 13, 2013 Against club rules to go without a dog in Devon wildfowlers & for very good reasons Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
misser Posted September 13, 2013 Report Share Posted September 13, 2013 personally i think wildfowling should be done with a dog.....to a limited degree it can be done without. some clubs stipulate a dog as a must and others a complete no no....dont agree with the no rule but have to abide by it, a dog enhances any days wildfowling even if nothing is in the bag Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grandalf Posted September 13, 2013 Report Share Posted September 13, 2013 Yes, yes, and again yes. You need a dog. However, if you can't have one then still go but be sensible about it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rascal72 Posted September 13, 2013 Report Share Posted September 13, 2013 1st season wildfowling last year no dog and missed out on best evening flight because I wouldnt shoot in the low light and risk loosing a shot bird got to the car and the geese came over just over the farmhouse and straight over where I had been waiting. This year got a dog and looking forward to working him this season although hes not 100% yet he will help find any birds brought down Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lee-kinsman Posted September 13, 2013 Report Share Posted September 13, 2013 (edited) Yes you need a dog and if you don't have one go with someone who does otherwise dont' bother. I've been brought up round wildfowling, my dad building his first punt and gun in 1978, he has done several since as well as large bore shotguns (2bores, 4bores). I have shot inland wildfowl on wwetlands and out on the foreshore and both scenarios require a dog. I wouldn't wildfowl without one. For me it ruins the sport when you have shot a mallard, wigeon, teal or whatever that you can't pick up even though it only landed 15-20 yards away. Edited September 13, 2013 by lee-kinsman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barls2-9-12 Posted September 13, 2013 Report Share Posted September 13, 2013 (edited) Most of the comments posted sum up the need for a dog really well. I just enjoy seeing the dogs work. And how excited they get at 3am in the morning when getting ready. They seem to hear and see the birds before me and it gives me a heads up. And they look at you in disgust when a seagull or wader comes buy and you don't shoot. Edited September 13, 2013 by Barls2-9-12 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pavman Posted September 13, 2013 Report Share Posted September 13, 2013 I have not read any other comments on this thread..... if you are shooting for the pot (Wildfowling) you should always recover the birds and without a dog you really cant say that's possible in every case so if you don't yet have one try to make contact with someone who has a good worker and go with them most clubs have mentors happy to help new folk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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