Recent content by Mara5

Had females for 30 years. Male dogs have three ideas, screw, eat, fight. Never had a problem with females in season. Mostly hunted private ground and no other dogs around. Best of luck with whatever sex you choose.

Most of the time I hunted with two Drats. Hunting with one was always sufficient, but two usually meant more birds. The downside was it was very difficult to keep track of two dogs.

My first shotgun was a JC Higgins 12 gauge, that I inherited from my father. It was a terrible beast. It was heavy, cumbersome and didn't shoot straight. Sold it first chance I got. For bird hunting it was essentially a single shot.

While ground pounding is not very sportsman like, it doesn't make the bird taste any different. Who knows, that particular may have been wounded, and that's why you got within shotgun range in open field. It's not illegal, stop beating yourself up.

When I lived in Iowa, I was retired, so had plenty of hunting time. I shot about 120 birds per season. Had good dogs!

For over 20yrs. all my dogs (Drahthaars) wore a bell. Shot over 100 every year, but one. The bells never seemed to bother or scare the birds.

Bob, write what ya want! If others don't like it,....,don't read it.

While I was never a really big game (deer) hunter, I gave it up entirely in the late 90's. It was boring, and wife did not like venison. Much preferred to be out with the dogs. Moved 15 hundred miles just to pheasant hunt. (I'd do it again).

Really glad you had good time. I'm same age as you, and my hunting days are over. Keep it up!

Many years ago in Iowa my Drat caught many (20-25) in her lifetime. Mostly hens, but at least 6 or 7 roosters. Most showed no sign of being shot.

After reading your question, I was puzzled. Not by your question, but by my own shooting. I believe it was instinctive, gun came up, bird went down. Don't remember specifically looking at bead, or the bird. Must have been doing one of them but I honestly don't know. Not much help, just shoot how...

Good luck! But suspect they're just another gimmick, designed to separate you and your money.

It's always difficult to lose a dog. Time will help.

dhuggins: I was a member of VDD/NA for many years, and attended numerous trials. In those years I never once saw a fight between dogs, or any attempt by dogs to fight. I've seen aggressive labs, and GSP's. My best friend had a male springer that was extremely nasty. Bit me twice. There can...

As some of the above, I always shot young roosters, if I could tell the sex. If they are so young that you can't tell the sex, they probably won't make it thru the winter.