Starting September 1st, dove season ushers in the beginning of the fall hunting season. For many, it’s the first chance to head into the field, and for those working with their dogs in the off-season, it’s a chance to see their summer training pay off. Liberal limits on birds and a relaxed hunting style create ample opportunity for you and your dog to put in real work for the waterfowl season ahead. But, like all things training-related, it’s important you go about it in the right way. While dove season can be productive for you and your dog, throwing them headfirst into a field with a lot of shooters and high-volume shooting could create bad habits prior to the season. Instead, consider these dove season training tips to help get your dog into waterfowl hunting shape.
Dove Season Training Tips
Tip 1: Lose The Crowds
We’ve all seen the madness of opening day of dove season, trucks bussing people into fields with the sole purpose of shooting as many doves as possible. While these hunts can be fun, having a high-volume, uncontrolled environment can be stressful on even the best dogs. Instead, kick off your season in a small manner with no more than you, your dog, and a buddy or two. This lets you be more selective about what you shoot and how often. Doves are abundant, and so is opportunity; rather than focusing on shooting your limit, slow things down and focus more on working your dog than shooting a limit.
Tip 2: Fuel Your Dog for Dove Season and Beyond
A waterfowl dog is a lot like an athlete, requiring training and proper nutrition to be at their best. While the dove opener is their first chance to start hunting again, there’s a long waterfowl season ahead that can be physically taxing. To prepare them for the hunts ahead, a well-balanced year-round nutritional diet is a must. Field & Stream Pack Provisions dog food is packed with nutrient-rich organ meat as well as pre- and postbiotic ingredients to aid in digestion. Compared to regular food, these nutrient-rich ingredients and added vitamins better support healthy joints, heart and immune health, and improved skin and coat quality. It’s a well-balanced food that keeps hunting dogs healthy and in shape year-round.
Just before the season kicks off, Pack Provisions recommends switching to their 31/23 Peak Performance food blend for optimal performance. This food consists of 31% protein and 23% fat content, which is a step up from their standard dog food. The increase in protein aids in muscle recovery, while the extra fat helps them handle exercise better. This blend also incorporates L-Carnitine, which is a derivative of amino acids that has beneficial impacts on lean mass and exercise intensity in working dogs. Incorporating this prior to the first hunts of the year will fuel your gun dog for the hard work ahead.
Tip 3: Let Birds Work
Dove hunting with a dog is an excellent opportunity to work on the fundamentals of retrieving prior to the season. One area in particular to hone in on is marking and retrieving. One of the best ways to get consistent repetitions is by only shooting decoying birds rather than pass shooting. You may shoot fewer birds, but this lets your dog watch the birds work, mark them after the shot, and make the retrieve. Come duck season, your dog will be well-versed in making retrieves on decoying birds.
Tip 4: Working on Keeping a Dog Steady
If your dog breaks, dove season is an excellent low-stakes time to work on breaking the habit. Doing so, however, requires diligence on your part. If you have a buddy to hunt with, it’s a good idea to focus on dog work while your friend shoots. Start with a leash if you need it, and correct your dog for breaking or creeping. Don’t send your dog on retrieves if they break, and over time this will correct the bad habit. This may take a few hunts to drive home, but in the end it’s worth it for the safety of your duck dog come the fall.
Tip 5: Ease Your Dog Back In
While there’s no replacement for consistent off-season training and conditioning, we get that not everyone has time for a full regimen. If that’s the case, dove season can be a great way to ease your dog back into shape. Since dove season is in September and it’s hot out, it’s important not to overwork an out-of-shape dog. Hunt in the mornings or evenings when it’s cooler and send your dog on a handful of retrieves. Stay diligent in checking your dog for signs of overexertion like thick saliva, red gums, or heavy panting. If you notice any of these signs, call the hunt, rehydrate your dog, and let them cool off.
On these hot days, you can also incorporate supplements that help your dog deal with the heat. One such supplement is Pack Provisions Energy Supplement Chews, which help stabilize a dog’s metabolism through simple carbohydrates. The supplement, when given roughly 15 minutes before a hunt, can dramatically reduce stress on your dog, keeping them cool and focused while improving their performance.
Make the Most of Dove Season
Dove season is an excellent way to ready yourself and your dog for the waterfowl season ahead. While these 5 training tips will help your dog perform at its best in both training and nutrition, it’s important to remember why you’re out there. It’s not about shooting limits of doves; it’s about having fun and working with your four-legged companion.