TEAM TRAD did a field hunt for Canada Geese today.
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We delighted in watching the sun creep slowly upward above the eastern horizon as it illuminated our decoys which we had deployed shortly before dawn in the darkness of the wee hours of the morning.
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The cold browns and greys of the pre-dawn view of the corn lot from our blind warmed with hues of red and gold as the early morning glow washed over the field like an incoming wave of light.
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TRAD was so desperately wanting to get on birds, he took to joining us with some help calling. "Reading the dog" as ALL good trainers do, I readily recognized this as TRAD'S plea of "PUT ME IN COACH".
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Connecting with some Honkers that responded well to our tandem calling efforts, t'was not too long before TRAD was running some multiple-marked retrieves. Additionally, TRAD ran a single blind of approximately 250 yards today after a big Honker was hit over the X, and taken by gusting wind, made continual flight while losing altitude and crashing to the ground over the top of a nearby hill. I lined TRAD and sent him on the blind knowing that in getting him to the hilltop, he would very likely catch scent in the approaching wind and make track to recover the crippled bird. TRAD briefly was out of me sight as he disappeared over the crest, only to reappear a matter of seconds later while carrying the bird.
TRAD picked up his pace with pride in his step as I shouted, "GOOD BOY TRAD" with well deserved verbal praise. Making a near straight line back to me while carrying the big bird, he returned to me left side, sat, and delivered to me hand in classic style as I issued the command "TRAD - GIVE".
Though we only took a total of 5 geese this morning, the quality of the dog work just meant so much more than a full bag limit of 12 geese. We saw a grand sunrise, enjoyed great conversation among friends in the blind, and watched the evolution of a "first season" gundog moving in a very positive direction. It hardly ever gets better than that!
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ALL BUSINESS while afield, TRAD is not one to readily give up. Here, TRAD maintains position on his "PLACE" platform within our above ground blind, and "keeps watch" with his eyes to the skies in the direction he observed the flights coming to our rig from throughout the morning.
Cheers and Happy Holidays To All at RTF,
Irishwhistler & TRAD
We delighted in watching the sun creep slowly upward above the eastern horizon as it illuminated our decoys which we had deployed shortly before dawn in the darkness of the wee hours of the morning.
The cold browns and greys of the pre-dawn view of the corn lot from our blind warmed with hues of red and gold as the early morning glow washed over the field like an incoming wave of light.
TRAD was so desperately wanting to get on birds, he took to joining us with some help calling. "Reading the dog" as ALL good trainers do, I readily recognized this as TRAD'S plea of "PUT ME IN COACH".
Connecting with some Honkers that responded well to our tandem calling efforts, t'was not too long before TRAD was running some multiple-marked retrieves. Additionally, TRAD ran a single blind of approximately 250 yards today after a big Honker was hit over the X, and taken by gusting wind, made continual flight while losing altitude and crashing to the ground over the top of a nearby hill. I lined TRAD and sent him on the blind knowing that in getting him to the hilltop, he would very likely catch scent in the approaching wind and make track to recover the crippled bird. TRAD briefly was out of me sight as he disappeared over the crest, only to reappear a matter of seconds later while carrying the bird.
TRAD picked up his pace with pride in his step as I shouted, "GOOD BOY TRAD" with well deserved verbal praise. Making a near straight line back to me while carrying the big bird, he returned to me left side, sat, and delivered to me hand in classic style as I issued the command "TRAD - GIVE".
Though we only took a total of 5 geese this morning, the quality of the dog work just meant so much more than a full bag limit of 12 geese. We saw a grand sunrise, enjoyed great conversation among friends in the blind, and watched the evolution of a "first season" gundog moving in a very positive direction. It hardly ever gets better than that!
ALL BUSINESS while afield, TRAD is not one to readily give up. Here, TRAD maintains position on his "PLACE" platform within our above ground blind, and "keeps watch" with his eyes to the skies in the direction he observed the flights coming to our rig from throughout the morning.
Cheers and Happy Holidays To All at RTF,
Irishwhistler & TRAD
