Preparing Your Dog for Hunting Season

Photo by Wildside Images

Hunting season is almost upon us and one of the most common questions Scott and Beth Ward of Over the Top Retrievers are asked is “what should I do to get my dog ready to go for the season? “I recently had the privilege of training with them and got to pick their brains for few tips for your four legged hunting buddy. 

Conditioning. Humans don’t run a marathon without training so ease your dog into activity. Starting with a walk, jog, run get that heart rate up.  Throwing a bumper, a ball.  Swimming is always a great cardio exercise for dogs making sure you are watching your dog and realizing they have limits, a dog can get hot fast once they get out there doing what they love to do.  Avoid high jumping, and sharp sudden turns because out of shape joints, muscles and ligaments do not need additional stress. Short reps with bumpers or Avery® birds still gets them excited but hopefully prevents injury prior to the opener. 

Remember to keep your dog wanting more, stop retrieves on the upswing where you know they are crazy to get that bird again!  Water retrieves are always good but be mindful, dogs can over heat in water, in late summer water temperatures can be high mixed with the muscle fatigue your dog could get into trouble.

Photo by Wildside Images

If you are lucky to have some property to get out on a run with a 4 wheeler or a long horse ride gets the heart pumping.  Planting birds/bummers and working on hunt it up drills helps reintroduce the dog to the mindset of the hunt.  

General health must always be a priority. Short nails, healthy pads and checking eyes, ears and nose to make sure they are clear of debris and signs of infection.  Proper gear for your dog, I know I may have packed on some pounds since last hunting season, has your dog? Ill-fitting skid plates or vests can lead to nasty skin issues from chaffing/rubbing.

Diet. Proper nutrition can build the energy and fuel your dog needs to plow through icy waters or keep quartering to get the rush of the flush.  Sometimes a decrease in calorie intake is needed to get some extra pounds off prior to hitting the fields. Keep in mind that you couldn't run a marathon after big plate of grandma's chicken Alfredo, you shouldn’t ask your dog to do this.  Get them on a healthy diet with appropriate servings. 

Photo by Wildside Images

Stand Alone marks (drills). Put your dog on a sit, walk away a good distance 30-50 yards, (farther than you could throw a dummy/bird/bumper while standing next to your dog).  Once the mark is thrown, release your dog to retrieve.  Although this is a hand thrown mark, you are working on your dog sitting, waiting/honoring the mark, the dog should not be sitting in the heal position next to you, you need distance between you and the dog.

Must haves for your dog hunting first aid kit:
Nail trimmer: cuts nails, barb wire, small sticks

Leash: restrains dog, helps with trap removal, works as a tourniquet or muzzle

Saline: to flush eyes, nose, ears, wounds

Water: Don’t forget to hydrate!

If you have more questions or concerns about getting your dog ready for the hunt feel free to contact us at Over the Top Retriever,763-244-0819.

Check out Over the Top Retrievers at www.overthetopretrievers.com. We offer all breed obedience, pre-season/refresher hunting course, gun dog, and hunt test training.  Private lessons available upon request.

Because if you are going to go...Go Over The Top!

-Samantha Andrews-

Evin's Hunting Tips

By ProStaff Evin Damuth

Over the last year I have had the opportunity to Pro-Staff for several outdoor companies. Through this experience I have become friends with countless women who share such a strong passion for the outdoors. It is because of this that led me to become interested in Huntress View.  

Huntress View is a community of women who are passionate about hunting and wildlife, are outdoors any chance they get and share their experiences. This community of women is coming together for each other essentially. Founded by Andrea Haas, Huntress View tests outdoor products designed for women, shares stories of successful and unsuccessful hunts, recipes, and tips for women. This website is for anyone who is new to hunting or who is a seasoned hunter. Since I’ve had the opportunity to be part of their Pro-Staff I have made friends with wonderful ladies and learned things myself. It is so wonderful to be able to create a network of women who want to genuinely help other women get started!   

With that being said, I have read numerous articles from both men and women’s perspective of getting young girls and women introduced to the outdoors. While the content of these articles are spot-on, I wanted to share from my own perspective. Even though I have spent a few years in the woods and have learned much, there are times when I need to remind my fiancé or even my dad that I’m not as seasoned as they are. Here are my tips for women who are interested in hunting this season:

1.    Don’t have a pre-conceived idea of what it will be like. I think a lot of women have a bad taste in their mouth for hunting because of what they think they know about it. Who wants to smell like doe urine, sit immobile for hours, and get eaten alive by mosquitos? Throw out all pre-conceived thoughts you have about hunting and just go for it. You’ll be pleasantly surprised.

2.    You don’t have to have the most expensive gear when you are just starting out. I can’t lie, I love Bass Pro as much as anyone else does, and I’m always willing to splurge a little on hunting. That’s because I know what I need and I may be hunting in frigid temperatures all bow season long. If you’re getting started and are accompanying your husband in a deer blind 150 yards from the feeder, don’t feel the need to spend $100 on a pair of scent-proof gloves. Get the essentials and build from there.

3.    Be patient. Be patient in every area of hunting. Whether that means you’ve been sitting under the same tree for three hours or you’re trying to learn archery. Be patient. It won’t come easy, it requires work, patience, patience, and a lot of patience.

4.    Hunting isn’t a beauty contest. I’m a little guilty in this area! I still want to feel and look good when I go hunting. But the reality is, the animals don’t care. Outdoor Channel may have warped our thinking on this because who doesn’t want to look like Tiffany or Eva posing next to their harvest? The reality is though, that we’re going hunting, we’ll get dirty, sweaty, and hopefully draw some blood. Leave the lipstick at home.

5.    Try to be ‘present’ during the hunt. For me, hunting is all about being away from stress, the phone and just spending time with whoever I’m hunting with. Take time to enjoy the beauty of the nature around you.

6.    You don’t have to be as strong as the men. I can’t pull back a 70 pound bow, load a buck in the back of my truck by myself or move feeders. I need help, and that’s ok. That isn’t to say that as women we are completely helpless or unable to hunt alone. I hope each year to be able to do things I couldn’t the year before. Just know that we can take our own pace, and that’s completely fine. 

7.    Don’t shoot out of your comfort zone because you feel pressured to. There have been numerous times when dad and Cody have whispered, “Shoot it, shoot it, shoot it now,” and I haven’t. What is a good distance or enough light for them might not be for me. I won’t shoot unless I feel confident about the shot. Cody target shoots his bow at 100 yards; I haven’t even attempted that. Know your limits and comfort zone and stick to it.

8.    You may get criticized for trying a ‘manly’ sport. People always look at me surprised when I say I hunt. Then when they find out I bow hunt suddenly I’m on a whole new level. Hey, girls hunt. I know a lot of girls who hunt a lot better than some guys I know. Hunting is easily a women’s sport just as much as a man’s sport now.

9.    Be open to teaching moments. When I first started hunting, there were a lot of tears. Frustration would get the best of me. If you want to be serious about chasing game then you have to be open to teachable moments. I’ll never know everything, and I will always have something new to learn. If you’ve made a mistake just remember it and next time improve from it.

10. Have fun, make memories. For me, hunting is where I make my best memories. I have moments where I feel so defeated, and moments where I feel I can accomplish anything. The best part is that I get to have those moments beside my dad and my fiancé. I can’t adequately describe the feeling of walking down a blood trail with those who are the most special to you and see what you were able to harvest. The hugs, the laughs, the happy tears, it’s a complete package.

Markie's Bowhunting Tips

Bowhunting Tips from Huntress View team member Markie Tormoen

-Always be ready!

-Know what way the wind is blowing and if it's right for what stand your sitting in.

-I put my release on at the truck just in case I bump something on the way in. Once your in the tree knock an arrow right away. A deer can move through at anytime. 

-Pick out your shooting lanes and pick out spots in those lanes that are a good place to kill a deer. Always be ready when you hear anything, snap of a stick or crunch of leaves. Stand up and get ready. You don't want to miss your chance on a big buck because you weren't up and ready. A lot of the time they come in silent and you don't know they're there till they're right under you. 

-One of the most important things to know is that deer are herbivores which means their eyes are on the sides of their heads so they can keep a look out for predators while they are grassing. You might not be able to see the deer but they can see you, so be still! Get in the habit of moving your eyes more than your head. When you do move your head, move it slowly. 

-Once a deer moves in wait for its head to go behind a tree or bush to draw back. He should be moving in one of the shooting lanes we had talked about earlier. But you're already ready because that should have been one of the first things you scoped out once you got in to your stand! 

-If the deer is moving, stop the deer with a vocal grunt before you shoot to make a good ethical kill! 

-When the deer is running away after the shot look at the tail to see if it's up or down! If it's up you probably missed, if it's down you probably made a good shot! That way you will also know which way the deer is headed so you can track it easier. 

Good luck this season ladies! I hope these tips helped!

Getting The Most Out Of Your Trail Cameras!

A few simple tips to help you get the most out of your trail cams this season!

-Have your camera's setup & ready to go before heading to the woods. Less time in the woods equals less time you're out there possibly spooking game

-Some good places to hang cams are near mineral sites, known deer trails, water sources, etc.

-If there's not a good tree to hang a camera in, try using a Stic-n-Piccamera mount. They also make mounts that screw into trees that allow you to get that perfect camera angle, like the one pictured above. (No more sticks in between your cam & the tree!)

-Keep in mind that as the season progresses the deer will change their patterns. Set up your cameras accordingly & be prepared to shift them around throughout the season

Husband and Wife Deer Skulls

By Becky Williams
Originally posted on Becky's blog: Let A Girl Show You How To Hunt And Fish

For this project we found two skulls while out shed hunting. One was a doe and one was a buck skull that had already naturally shed its antlers, but still neat. I soaked them in clean water and peroxide for a few hours to clean them up. They were old and had been dead for a long time, they were already dried out.

This one is the buck up close. I added some small metal decorative corners to the wood.

To mount the heads I had some scrap wood in my barn so I stained it a drove a 2 inch screw through the backside, so the skull can hang on the protruding part of the screw.  The back of the skull of the deer has a deep hole where the brain would've been so the screw slides into it perfectly.

Here is the finished product with a small latch on the back to be hung on the wall. They are neat conversation pieces, and they were found while out shed hunting with our children.

High On A Mountain

By Lora Gene Young of GypsyNomadHunting

I stand on the steep slope of the mountain taking in the scene below. Lake Ohau looms a brilliant blue in the distance welcoming the glacier waters from the rivers that meander through the valley. I take a deep breath and inhale the cool, crisp mountain air. My heart is thumping in my chest, my mind is racing and I am giddy with excitement as we cross the thick scrub to my animal. 

This morning started the same as most mornings working for Southern Mountain Adventures in New Zealand. The kettle was on for coffee and tea, bacon and eggs in the fry pan, a hungry group at the breakfast table. I never dreamed that would be the day I would be standing next to my first tahr!

It all happened so fast. We had a few extra minutes, we had a helicopter, my boss, Croc Adams, asked if I wanted to give it a go on the top of the facing mountain, and we jumped in and away we went.

We spotted a group of bulls at the top of the mountain across from the cabin. We got in position on a flat spot looking up across a shingle slide. The plan was to get the group to run down the slide towards us. As goes with most plans, the animals did not cooperate. They ran across the ridge and behind us. I got one shot off at a big bull, but it went right over his head and he disappeared across the ridge.

One lone bull had run the opposite direction and was on the next ridge over. We radioed the helicopter pilot our plan and went to find this one. As we swung around the ridge, there he was, silhouetted on a rocky out crop. He was even bigger than the first one! He jumped over the bluff and disappeared into the tall scrub. 

We found a place to set up for a shot. We slip and slide across the shingle face and wade through the heavy vegetation to get to a good shooting spot. Many times I find myself sliding on my bum down the slope or grasping for bush branches as I step down into holes. But we have to move quickly into position.

My bull is in the brush below us. As he makes his way across the mountain face I try and get a shot, but he is moving fast and keeps disappearing in the thick brush. Finally, he turns and moves up the slope. He is within range, but he is moving away from us. 

All I see is his rear. I whisper to Croc, "Can I shoot him in the ass?"

The response, "Yes, shoot him in the arse."

So I squeeze the trigger.

We hear the thump of bullet connecting with flesh. I have hit him. But he is still running, tahr are such tough creatures. Another round is chambered. I fire again. Another hit and he slows. He is down, but still alive. One more shot and it is over. My heart is pounding in my ears. We scramble through the thick vegetation to his location. There is my bull. Full, thick mane and massive body, some of the biggest based horns I have seen.

Never did I imagine my fist bull tahr would be a seven-year-old, 12 1/2 inch with ten-inch bases! An hour later, after photos and skinning and packing the car, when we are on our way to leave camp, I realize, my legs are shaking and I am still grinning from ear -to-ear with excitement.

Croc still teases me about shooting my tahr in the the butt. I tease him about telling me to do it! He says, “Well, I didn’t expect you to actually hit him!” Guess he learned, do not tell this girl with a gun to shoot and expect a miss!

Dove Hunting Gear & Apparel List for Women

By Andrea Haas

Dove season is one of my favorite hunting seasons. It marks the beginning of deer season here in Missouri, and around much of the U.S. It's a bit more relaxed than deer or turkey hunting, which I feel is much needed after months of being so serious in the woods. Not only that, hunting doves is one of the best ways to sharpen your shooting skills.

I put together a head to toe gear & apparel list with what I feel are great options for women dove hunters, as well as a list of some hunting equipment that may come in handy on your hunt.

Uninsulated Hunting Clothing

Prois Ultra Short Sleeve Shirt

• This shirt is lightweight & easy to move in. It's made of 100% polyester, which wicks moisture away to keep you dry. It does have an athletic cut, which makes it a tad shorter than most shirts, so I recommend going up a size or 2. Still, it fits great & is very comfortable! 
• Available for $39.60 at EvoOutdoors 

Prois Pro-Edition Pants

• Made of 100% Polyester Tricot, these pants have the "4 S's" - soft, sturdy, silent & snag resistant. 
• Knee pleats added for enhanced movement and comfort while sitting, squatting or stalking
• Available for $152.10 at EvoOutdoors

Hearing Protection

Howard Leight Women's Super Leight Earplugs

• I personally prefer earplugs over earmuffs due to the comfort. Plus dove season is usually warmer & earmuffs tend to make you sweat more.
• These earplugs by Howard Leight offer a better fit for women who are smaller framed, like me, & come in a pack of 14 for $4.49 at Cabelas

Hunting Boots

Women's Pursuit Stealth Boots by Muck Boot Company

• These boots have 5mm of Neoprene with a fleece lining that is actually very breathable in warmer temperatures and during active hunts
• Check out my full Product Review
• Available for $209 in women's sizes 5 to 11

Shooting Vest

Prois Competitor Shooter's Vest

Front

Back

• You may or may not want to wear the whole vest while dove hunting. If you do, it has bilateral shoulder padding, for both left and right handed shooters. This vest is also great for those who enjoy shooting sporting clays, skeet, trap, etc. 
• If you choose not to wear the whole vest, just unzip it at the waist and it converts into a shooting apron. It has a rear mesh pouch to hold spent shells and large front pockets that will each easily hold a box of shotgun shells.

• Available for $215.10 at EvoOutdoors

Stools/Chairs

Dove Shooter by AlpsOutdoorz

• You could easily tuck this chair into the edge of a woodline, in a blind, etc. 
• Includes an easy-carry shoulder strap, has a cooler underneath the seat, and 2 large front pockets to store your ammo or a few dove decoys!
• At AlpsOutdoorz for only $54.99

Concealment

2 Piece Shotgun Cover Kit by Beartooth Outdoors

• I don't have a camo shotgun so when dove hunting, I prefer to cover up my shiny shotgun with the 2 Piece Shotgun Cover Kit by Beartooth Outdoors
• It protects my shotgun from the elements and has a few slots to hold your shotgun shells
• Available for just $34.95 at www.beartooth-products.com   

 

Decoys

Lucky Duck Clip-On Dove Decoys, 4 Pack

• We purchased a couple packs of these decoys last year & they seemed to work well for bringing doves in closer. My husband made a "tree" out of re-bar and put it in the field where we dove hunt. We attached the doves to this "tree" using their steel clothes-pin style clips and they stayed attached to it well. 

• Available for $14.99 at Cabelas

Hunter's Edge Dove Feeding Frenzy

• We also purchased this rotating decoy system last year and it seemed to work good as well for bringing the doves in
• It rotates the doves around in a realistic motion and seems to catch their eye better than the non-moving decoys.
• It's also available at Cabelas, for $79.99