Waterfowl season is finally over

[Fink]

We finally closed up on the geese last weekend, thus ending our 2014 waterfowl season. It was an interesting year, like everywhere else, we picked up a ton of birds on Veterans Day, and then proceeded to hunt stale birds for the rest of the year, never really picking up any new birds.

As usual, I failed to bring a camera on 95% of my hunts this year, I'm going to make a conscious effort to change that next year.

My pup did real good for her second season, we hunted a lot of dry sets this year, something she didn't do at all last season. Overall, I'm pleased with her progress, but we do have some things to work on during the off season. She's so much fun to hunt over, I'm not sure how I never hunted over a dog until now.

A few photos to pass the time, until the white geese show back up, and then its time for spring gobblers!

 

[Fink]

Only one sideways photo.. Not bad for me. A couple more pics from a day in the timber. I usually don't even have to watch the skies, as the dog does it for me!

 

[go_deep]

You know you got a keeper when you don't even have to look up, just have to watch your dog. Miss my old lab she was great like that too.

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

There is nothing to compare bird hunting with a dog. Besides being a great companion, they really improve your bag, especially upland birds. My Lab pup is now 10 months old and unfortunately I didn't get to hunt her this fall due to my ankle problem. Working her every day now and looking forward to this fall.

The last picture is my Lab Molly who I had to put down 1 1/2 years ago at 13 1/2. She pointed and was probably the best dog I have ever owned.

 

[packmule]

Yes sir. Miss being able to work my GSPs.


Looks like a good season, Fink. Seeing those white birds heading North already.

 

[missjordan]

Sounds like you had a great season. I've never worked with dogs before but it's one of my long term goals to do when I graduate from college.


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[Team Kabob]

Good looking dog fink.

2014 was fun.


-)---> ¥
Got him!

 

[Team Kabob]

CC your pup looks good too


-)---> ¥
Got him!

 

[NDHunter]

Looks like you had a great season! I had a friend come out to ND the last week of October and it was a bloodbath. I should post up a some pics one of these days.

 

[Fink]

Kabob, is that a Beavertail? If so, how do you like it? I've got a Scavenger, that I think I'll get rid of this summer. It's a little heavy for a 7 horse, and doesn't really push me through skinny water like I hoped it would. It would probably do better on a small jon boat, instead of my 4 Rivers.

That looks like a pretty good day on the big water.

My buddy puts bombs on A-10's, so we like to keep some of these bomb flags on our boats.

 

[Fink]

ND, NoDak is on my list for sure. If I don't draw any good tags for this fall, I might have to make it happen this year.

 

[Team Kabob]

That boat is my buddies, I just had the pleasure of the getting some pictures. That motor is very impressive and sips the gas for as hard as he works it. Plus it will eat ice! I have a video of that but it won't let me upload it. You want me to send it to you Fink?


-)---> ¥
Got him!

 

[velvetfvr]

Ours ended 2 weeks ago. This year SUCKED. Hardly any water, no storms, no migratory birds and the geese only started using the fields the last 4 days of season.

And with such a lack of snow and rain so far next year isn't gonna be any good.

 

[Triple BB]

Our season closes next weekend. This pic was from weekend before last. The ice is all gone and the river is opened up again. Hunted a corn and winter wheat field today. My 10 1/2 year girl chased a crippled goose 200 yards across a field and then carried it back. The mind is still there, the body is slowing...

 

[NDHunter]

ND, NoDak is on my list for sure. If I don't draw any good tags for this fall, I might have to make it happen this year.

Yea North Dakota can be pretty sweet. We've got tons of water here so at a minimum, it's going to be good for at least a few more years.

 

[CrossCreeks]

Labs are the greatest dogs. Thanks for the pictures.

 

[tomcat]

Glad to see some duck hunters on the forum. Like that longtail Kabob. I have a Go-Devil boat and motor, a longtail 20 hp Vanguard.
Super rig for my water. All the young guns think they need a surface drive, but they just don't handle stumps and rocks like the old style.
Nice looking dog Fink. Labs are hard to beat. My last dog was an American Water Spaniel. Beautiful dog but hard headed and would bite his best friend.

 

[arwaterfowler]

Bird season here in Eastern Nebraska was pretty good until late season. Warm weather followed by blowing snow missed us up pretty good during goose season. Ducks were kinda on and off, but still managed to take our fare share.

My brother still lives and duck hunts our old spots in Arkansas. He had a terrible season, no water. Some of our best holes were bone dry.

Like folks have said, I'm looking forward to spring too. This year will be a bit of a balancing act though. I've got a 15 week old lab that I want to get off to a good start. That will limit some of the hunting. I'll also try a new training route. I'm joining Missouri Valley Hunting Club. It's not actually a hunting club, but rather a retriever training club. It will be very nice training around other knowledgeable folks with good dogs. The club also hosts hunting tests and field trials. Members volunteer to work the events. They are usually a great time and get to see some amazing dogs.


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[Fink]

I'd do a lot of things different, if I was starting over with my dog at 15 weeks. Have fun ar, there's not much else that's quite as fun, or exasperating, as working with your pup.

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

I'd do a lot of things different, if I was starting over with my dog at 15 weeks. Have fun ar, there's not much else that's quite as fun, or exasperating, as working with your pup.

You just have to remember they are a pup and just like little kids, they have a short attention span, get distracted easily and make lots of mistakes.