The Hunting Season So Far

On Saturday October 25th, the first pheasant was shot over Eddie. Rob saw the bird at the same time as Eddie. The bird ran down the edge of the field with Eddie giving chase. The bird ducked into the tall grass with the pup on his heels. Unfortunately there was no opportunity for a point as the bird flushed in seconds. Eddie watched as the bird flew right to left in front of the hunters. One shot and the bird tumbled. It took Eddie a minute to realize what happened, but he soon winded it and ran over to inspect the bird. He tried in vain to pick it up and eventually was content to pick it up by the wing. He was nearly back to Rob with the bird when it hit him - hey, I have the bird and he doesn't. Time for a little game of keep away. Looks like retrieving exercises with birds are in order.
During the same hunt Eddie started to quarter nicely and tended to range 40 yards or less. His search is improving every time out.
At one point during the afternoon Rob was walking thru some brushy areas on the fenceline between two fields. Two hunters were to Rob's left in the field and Sam was on his dad's immediate left in the brush. Suddenly one of the guys yelled "Holy sh*t, your dog is locked up on an awesome point". The next words heard were "Oh man, it's a dead turkey". Well at least we know he can point. Although Rob never saw it, all acounts were that it was a stylish point worthy of praise.
On Sunday, November 2, the guys shot a few ducks. Eddie stayed home because he cut a pad while hunting grouse on Friday in Oconto County. No birds were flushed during that hunt but Eddie searched well, maintaining a 30 yard range at most times. Eddie hunts very well in the woods and if Rob can ever put him on some birds Eddie looks to have some promise in the grouse woods. His search seems to be better in the woods as he tends to slow down a bit and be more thorough. He also seems to quarter more naturally in the woods.
Eddie has hunted ducks a few times this year and knows what it means to "watch 'em" He sits on the porch at home and watches the geese fly over every morning and evening as they go out to the fields to feed outside of town. He has learned how to follow their flight by the sound and also by watching them thru the trees. This may come in handy if we ever get to Arkansas or Louisiana on a flooded timber hunt. Eddie also only had to be told once to leave the decoys alone. He now simply swims around as we put the decoys out.
As the duck season started I was concerned about his lack of swimming practice until one day I walked in the water and turned to see him cruising around right behind me. I called Tom and said "You're not going to believe this, but Eddie swims like crazy". Tom's answer was "Of course, he's been swimming since he was a little pup. I took the pups down to the pond and in the creek since they were weeks old. They know how to swim". OK, lesson learned - write down and ask all possible questions for the breeder before you pick up the pup.
Eddie is turning into a beautiful dog. You can see by the latest photos that he has a majestic and inquisitive look to his head. I am now more convinced than ever that he will turn out to be a special dog - as long as his master doesn't screw him up. Hopefully the next few weeks will be filled with new challenges, lots of birds and unforgetable accomplishments. Stay tuned.