Well the bird hunting season is almost upon us. In many states it starts around the 1st of September with doves. In my state of Colorado, we are fortunate to begin with several species. Dove, blue grouse, mountain sharp-tailed grouse, sage grouse, ptarmigan, chukar and band tailed pigeon seasons all start in September.
Now is the time to get your bird dog (and you) off the couch and into the fields for some serious conditioning. If you own a bicycle, you can have your dog run beside you while you bike. Be careful not to let the lead get caught up in the spokes. Also, use a harness and not a regular collar for safety. Just jogging with your dog will improve their condition if they have been inactive all summer. Too many hunters neglect to do pre-season conditioning. Your dog requires “training camp” just like professional athletes.
So get your dogs into the fields and work them on pen raised birds or wild birds if available. Remember, it can be very hot this time of year. So confine your workouts to early morning or late evening hours when the temperature is cooler. Also, have plenty of water available as you want to keep your dog well hydrated. May you have a terrific hunting season and stop by again next month for another dog training tip.
CJ & Shawnee