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Illinois Early Goose...........

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KwickLabs

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Discussion starter · #1 · (Edited)
season is September 1st and then on the 3rd teal........if they show up. Pounce is now the "go to" retriever as Daisy and Kooly are
dealing with age issues......me too, but I don't have to swim in cold water.

Testing is now on the "back burner" and training is more about hunting skills and real setups (early) from a boat. Pounce has been out
in the "big rig" many times and did a few simple hunts last fall. However, she has never hunted out of the "Migrator" (small marsh boat).
Therefore, a "yard work" intro was the setup. The dog hide she has seen often, but not from a marsh boat. The YouTube video is from
the second day. I think I needed more work than she did.

The standard has always been "a hide is not a launching pad". She moves to heel first before being sent. This creates the required level of
responsiveness (even when excited). There will be occasional hunts where the hide is in a remote position. Responsiveness is a critical
prerequisite for a retriever working on the big river.

Pounce has always been a quick study and continues to thrive with the Hilllmann approach. However, I'm still making "adjustments". :)

Pounce's first "big river" hunt last year
Image


training setup before last year's season
Image


YouTube Video 2nd day of "Yard Work" with the Migrator (a few days ago)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Ncv3MWiREU

This is Daisy in a Migrator hunt from a few years ago.....now it is Pounce's turn.
Image


"Iowa side hunt"
Image


This is how it is possible to use "the little boat" when hunting on the Mississippi River.
Image
 
#4 ·
Why the dotted line from the mut hut ( or what ever it is ) to the handler's spot ..? Why not just send the dog from the hut ? A remote send ....Steve S
 
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#5 ·
Sad to say that I'm gonna miss "early goose" season here in "The Peoples Republik of Illinoiz" this year, as I'm entered in the HRC Grand, and will be training until then. Best of luck Jim, and stay safe!!
 
Discussion starter · #8 · (Edited)
"Why not just send the dog from the hut?"

With a young retriever in training the focus is on being steady. Sending from the hide makes it into a potential "launching pad". Therefore, in all training
setups responsiveness and control comes first. By doing so the dog develops a strong expectation of seeking approval before leaving the hide. Having
them come to the handler first consistently over time with many "reps" cements the issues. Having a steady retriever when hunting is often more of a
challenge because the handler is generally preoccupied.

I have had situations where the hide had to be in a remote position. And with an experienced hunting dog releasing them on their name works well. However,
in training setups while developing the standard with a young dog...there are no exceptions. Distant releases occasionally fit well and once in awhile doing
so will not erode a well entrenched standard.

It should be noted that I do not take my young retrievers duck hunting until they are well into transition and by then the hide expectation is solid. One could
"say" a hide is nothing but a "placeboard" with a cover.
 
Discussion starter · #9 ·
"Why not just send the dog from the hut?"

With a young retriever in training the focus is on being steady. Sending from the hide makes it into a potential "launching pad". Therefore, in all training
setups responsiveness and control comes first. By doing so the dog develops a strong expectation of seeking approval before leaving the hide. Having
them come to the handler first consistently over time with many "reps" cements the issues. Having a steady retriever when hunting is often more of a
challenge because the handler is generally preoccupied.

I have had situations where the hide had to be a remote position. And with an experienced hunting dog releasing them on their name works well. However,
in training setups while developing the standard with a young dog...there are no exceptions. Distant releases occasionally fit well and once in awhile is not
going to erode a well entrenched standard.

It should be noted that I do not take my young retrievers duck hunting until they are well into transition and by then the hide expectation is solid. One could
"say" a hide is nothing but a "placeboard" with a cover.
 
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KwickLabs
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