Cato
02-10-2005, 09:42 AM
There was a time in Florida when we would find up to ten wild coveys a day. That was two bird dogs ago. Today we are happy to find 3-5, but it sure beats sitting at home. The 5-6 hour drive to north Florida is biggest problem for us, gas prices and lack of birds. I call it the pine tree and hay field problems neither of which helps wild quail hunting. But, any chance to see our dogs working birds is worth the effort.
We hunted ducks where the aligators were thick and only took dogs out twice. The last time was because my female was in heat and taking my male with me and tying him in the boat so he would not fetch downed birds was better than leaving him at home. When I shot down the double that came into the decoys early, it was a big surprize to see him hit the water. Broke the rope. Beautiful retrieve!!!! Of course I am now standing and gator hunting if one of them goes after my dog, pay the fine and move on but not going to eat my dog. Did not have to shoot any gators and as matter of fact did not even see any so I sent him after the second bird. We have discussed it at length but we really missed not having our dogr retrieve ducks for us this year. In years passed at Holiday Park and up at the Lake we have had great deoying and great retieving and to me that is the icing on the cake when duck hunting.
It is the same with quail hunting it is not the shooting but it is the dog work and the flush that makes quial hunting great. The only problem with turkey no dog work.
Good hunting
Bobby Cato
We hunted ducks where the aligators were thick and only took dogs out twice. The last time was because my female was in heat and taking my male with me and tying him in the boat so he would not fetch downed birds was better than leaving him at home. When I shot down the double that came into the decoys early, it was a big surprize to see him hit the water. Broke the rope. Beautiful retrieve!!!! Of course I am now standing and gator hunting if one of them goes after my dog, pay the fine and move on but not going to eat my dog. Did not have to shoot any gators and as matter of fact did not even see any so I sent him after the second bird. We have discussed it at length but we really missed not having our dogr retrieve ducks for us this year. In years passed at Holiday Park and up at the Lake we have had great deoying and great retieving and to me that is the icing on the cake when duck hunting.
It is the same with quail hunting it is not the shooting but it is the dog work and the flush that makes quial hunting great. The only problem with turkey no dog work.
Good hunting
Bobby Cato