projectupland.com On The Go

It was a late stop in a hotel room for a quick sleep before continuing the road trip the next morning. Arms loaded with bags and dog gear, the executive decision was made to leave the kennel in the car. “She’ll be fine, it’s late, and we’re all tired anyway.” Famous last words.

And so began the longest night ever spent in a hotel room. The poor German longhaired pointer pup, used to the comfort and security of her crate, had never spent a night “out” on the floor. Without the familiar enclosed space, she spent a restless night on high alert. Every mosquito that flew down the hallway was cause for a bark alarm. Each distant car door was surely worth growling about. Finally, at 2am, we reached a point of desperation and did the unthinkable: she was scooped up into the bed to just get some peace and quiet. The pup stretched out to impossible dimensions for a small dog and soon fell asleep in her newfound security. The humans, regrettably, did not.

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There is this famous dog. He has signed hundreds of autographs, and I have them all.  

He has hunted border to border, three states wide. He must have over ten thousand retrieves.  

He’ll get you out of any jam. When a “Lassie” look-a-like walks by, he just lifts his leg and then looks up at me—he knows. I like to think he sees me as his biggest fan.  

He even did my taxes one year. He’s seen it all. A real soldier.  

He’s much older than me, so I call him “Sir.” That’s his name—Sir Hank.  

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The off-season. That dreaded long span of months between the end of last season and the new season to come. What is a poor upland hunter to do on the off-season?

Sure. There is spring turkey hunting and even summer bass fishing, but how does a self-respecting and dedicated upland hunter, like you, get his or her wing shooting fix? Enter the Eurasian Collared-Dove (Streptopelia decaocto).

Eurasians are a medium-sized dove, larger than a Mourning Dove, but smaller than a Wood Pigeon. They measure roughly 11-13 inches from beak to tail, with a wingspan of about 20 inches. They can also be identified by their black beaks, red-colored eyes, and feet. Plumage can vary from a creamy-white to slight gray/white coloration with a black bar across the back of their necks. Unlike Mourning Dove, they have a long squared-off tail that makes them easily identifiable in flight. A well-fed Eurasian can weigh in as much as 9 ounces. The Mourning Dove is known for its melodic and mournful, cooing. The song of Eurasians is not as pleasing to the ear, however. To me, it sounds like someone stuck a kazoo in a sock and is blowing through it! I am not even joking.

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Let it be known before we get into the finer details of training a pointing dog on the barrel: I’ve found no concrete source identifying the first person who tipped over an old oil barrel and figured it would help set a foundation for their young bird dog. However, I can speak of the foundation that I’ve observed, learned, and implemented from friend and Hall of Fame legend, Bud Moore. Bud has helped me clearly define the particulars of steadying a dog, modeling proper pointing behavior and standing tall on a barrel...

Now is the time to break in your boots for the season ahead. Learn more at IrishSetter.com, or try on a pair of Irish Setter's Wingshooters at your favorite retailer today.

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