Goosemaster
Well-known member
I think 1980 they changed it.
Hunting solo tactics
- Thread starter Goosemaster
- Start date
AKSkeeter
Well-known member
I hunt solo almost exclusively. Just me and my dog.
Rarely is my flushing dog within shotgun range as I am silently positioning myself way in front of the birdy dog.
I have about 20 spots I rotate through and I think memory of what worked in the past at each spot helps.
For example, yesterday I hunted a large area where the roosters typically flush wild across a river to heavy cover.
Then I used a canoe to cross the river and hunted that heavy cover. This has worked well in the past.
Also I am a quiet as possible, quiet pants, no nagging the dog, etc.
1) Steep slopes
In my areas, steep slopes are common and roosters typically run uphill.
So I try to position myself up slope and in front of the dog tracking a rooster.
2) Cattails
Same with cattails, I listen to the direction the dog is tracking and stay
way in front as silently as possible.
3) Riparian shrubs
In river bottoms, my strategy is to jump shoot mallards going upstream.
With the dog at heel and me slowly walking, roosters run
and hide in thick shrubs at oxbow bends.
Then on the way downstream, I release the lab at the start of the oxbow shrubs,
and immediately run to position myself at the other end.
Typically a rooster will flush across or downstream and I am in position for the shot.
Rarely is my flushing dog within shotgun range as I am silently positioning myself way in front of the birdy dog.
I have about 20 spots I rotate through and I think memory of what worked in the past at each spot helps.
For example, yesterday I hunted a large area where the roosters typically flush wild across a river to heavy cover.
Then I used a canoe to cross the river and hunted that heavy cover. This has worked well in the past.
Also I am a quiet as possible, quiet pants, no nagging the dog, etc.
1) Steep slopes
In my areas, steep slopes are common and roosters typically run uphill.
So I try to position myself up slope and in front of the dog tracking a rooster.
2) Cattails
Same with cattails, I listen to the direction the dog is tracking and stay
way in front as silently as possible.
3) Riparian shrubs
In river bottoms, my strategy is to jump shoot mallards going upstream.
With the dog at heel and me slowly walking, roosters run
and hide in thick shrubs at oxbow bends.
Then on the way downstream, I release the lab at the start of the oxbow shrubs,
and immediately run to position myself at the other end.
Typically a rooster will flush across or downstream and I am in position for the shot.
Last edited:
BritChaser
Well-known member
As barren as most harvested fields are these days, hunt in unfarmed cover near feeding areas. Also, in a patch of CRP say, start at a corner of the down wind side and walk across the wind toward the opposite down wind corner. That will put any scent trails across the dog's nose. When the dog turns into wind, follow.
Goosemaster
Well-known member
I agree with this,getting up ahead of the dog can help.I hunt some places where scouting really helps,and the weather plays into where birds are.
Goosemaster
Well-known member
My dog always barks if I get a bird, or when she gets out of the car, always has.