boykin spaniel hunting

Boykins have a double coat a short dense undercoat and wavy, longer outer coat that handles water well. With a tuft of turkey feathers tied to the end of a section of fishing rod, attached by a few feet of fishing line, get pup to chase vigorously, keeping the tuft just out of reach. When your dog is in pursuit of a deer, a rabbit, or anything you dont want him to chase, do not tell him "no" or call him back to you. Have your dog lie on the same side that you shoulder a gun. In the summer, after a good hike when you both could use a break in the shade, have your dog lie beside you. Love my little Swamp Poodles, these dogs have heart! If I wasnt so accurate in my shot placement, my dog will be in hot pursuit of the crippled bird. All this will lead up to the toughest part of training: sitting still. Likewise, fresh droppings will still seem moist. Learn more about our use of cookies:cookie policy. Please dont slap a collar on your dog and give him a correction without preparing him for it. Now when he sees a deer or is scenting behind one, he turns and checks in with me. I let my pups succeed in catching the feathers a few times each session, but prying the feathers away can be tough. With your hot, panting Boykin lying at your side, wait several minutes and get comfortable. I looked to my left and caught the movement of an approaching tom turkey, nervously eyeing his surroundings. Be gentle. When I make a good shot, my Boykin will be on him in a flash. | Chip Schleider | Maureen S Riley | Russ Harris | Susan Wolf | Loretta Baughan | Spaniel Journal |. After the shot, I prefer my dog to break toward the turkey. If you think that the stimulation you get is too much for your youngster, then turn the collar down some, but use enough stimulation on your dog to discourage him from chasing any unwanted animals. The most effective tool you can possess in the early stages of training your pup to be a turkey dog is a dead turkey. If the collar is not turned up high enough, he may continue to chase. Some turkey dogs range very close. We knew we had a good scatter, but the sight of the gobbler that sailed over us earlier gave us reason to worry. When the flush is made, you should either hear the excited cackles of frightened turkeys or the bark of your Boykin. Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever in History and Today, Hunting Spaniels History and Modern State: Hunting Dog Confidential Episode #6. Your dog will know if the turkeys have passed through recently. Let him come close and tempt him to jump up in the air, keeping the game up for ten or so minutes. This was quite welcome, since on a previous hunt, he finally had enough of sitting still and decided to chase a squirrel that hopped within a few feet of us. Be cautious of where you lead the pup, (you could send him crashing into furniture during the pursuit) and dont overdo it. Try your best to pinpoint where the commotion came from. This introduces him to the great big outdoors and it tires him out. Likewise, fresh droppings will still seem moist. The incredible prey drive that Boykin breeders have been so careful to maintain lends itself wonderfully in the pursuit of turkey flocks. The reason we crank the collar up so high and dont try to stop the chase vocally is to get the dog to think that the animal hes chasing is the cause of his discomfort. You will be able to tell where the action is. The next most important tool is time. Pick out a good sitting place as close to the flush site as possible. Now it's time for the actual hunting. The Boykin spaniel male should weigh 30-40 pounds; the female should weigh 25-35 pounds. With your hot, panting Boykin lying at your side, wait several minutes and get comfortable. Keep a sharp ear out for any turkeys starting to call. I invited Gratten Hepler, a fellow turkey dog enthusiast, down from Virginia to hunt turkeys with me. It only took Buck an instant, after being awakened from his nap by the report of the shotgun, to see the flopping turkey just twenty feet away. Your dog will know if the turkeys have passed through recently. By the time I reached the downed bird, Missy had joined us with Gratten hurrying behind her. Should You Consider a Flushing Breed for Your Next Bird Dog? Nancy Anisfield is an outdoor writer and hunting dog photographer, creative director for the Ugly Dog Hunting Company, member of the Pheasants Forever / Quail Forever Board of Directors, and co-owner of the Track2Wing Project which grants Action trackchairs to individuals with mobility challenges who want to train and hunt with bird dogs. After the shot, I prefer my dog to break toward the turkey. Keep a good lookout for approaching birds. Eye problems such as cataracts and ear infections are possible. More turkeys could still approach, even after hearing a shot. You dont want to have to shoot a turkey from your left side as, if you are a right handed shooter, it will mean holding your gun over your dog's head. Our site uses cookies. My Buck stays within easy shotgun range until he hits fresh scent. But lets not worry about the gun right now. Depending on the size of the gang of turkeys, you may want to try to scatter them some more, because it is best to have the birds down to individuals, rather than several small groups. In just moments we heard Buck bark and saw a gobbler sail over our heads. If you have another hunting partner, you may want to collect your bird and Boykin quickly and settle back down. The woods were mostly silent except for our imitations of turkey sounds. Understanding Shotgun Chokes How to Choose a Choke Size for Hunting, The Difference Between a Deutsch-Drahthaar and a German Wirehaired Pointer, German Shorthaired Pointer The Most Popular Versatile Dog in the World, Training and Troubleshooting the Recall Command with Dogs, Pheasant Hunting Ammo and Chokes A Pheasant Hunters Guide, Wirehaired Pointing Griffon Information, History, and Eduard Korthals, Defining the Differences of the British Lab and the American Lab, Recovering Americas Wildlife Act with Senator Martin Heinrich, Vizsla: How the Hungarian Pointing Dog Propelled Through History to Today, Women in American Field Trials: Paving the Way, How Dogs Develop on Ruffed Grouse A Guide to Preparing a Dog for Grouse Hunting. I looked to my left and caught the movement of an approaching tom turkey, nervously eyeing his surroundings. When I saw him, he was already within easy shotgun range so I eased the gun into place and squeezed the trigger. If you plan on using your Boykin for upland work, you may want to encourage him to stay closer by using your whistle and keeping him looking back for you. We hustled to the spot where the commotion was coming from and gathered in our dogs. Jumping over, ducking under, and wallowing through rough terrain is hard work for such a small dog. With a tuft of turkey feathers tied to the end of a section of fishing rod, attached by a few feet of fishing line, get pup to chase vigorously, keeping the tuft just out of reach. If the collar is turned up high enough your Bpykin will let out a squall and break off the chase. We stayed in the woods all day, scoring several flushes but not getting a shot at our quarry. Jumping over, ducking under, and wallowing through rough terrain is hard work for such a small dog. Then hes off to the races. After the dog is used to training with the e-collar, turn the collar up to its highest setting and test it on yourself. Improper use of a collar can be the undoing of a good prospect. Be cautious of where you lead the pup, (you could send him crashing into furniture during the pursuit) and dont overdo it. The Boykin Spaniel Club, the AKC recognized breed club, is also an excellent resource for finding breeders, information, and testing or trialing events. The actual work of hunting turkeys comes easily if the obedience lessons have been put into place. Like a bolt, he was on our prize. But lets not worry about the gun right now. All this will lead up to the toughest part of training: sitting still. Keep an eye on his demeanor; when his tail starts twitching rapidly, you will know hes on a fresh scent. "It only took Buck an instant, after being awakened from his nap by the report of the shotgun, to see the flopping turkey just twenty feet away.". Buck was at my right side, contentedly snoring. Tom Kelley does not and has not owned a Boykin. Expect to use this technique on different animals; I didnt do it on squirrels and Buck will still chase one if he is close enough to think he can catch it. And having a tired dog will greatly assist you in the next lesson: sitting patiently. Fall turkey hunting is a great sport, full of excitement, exercise and companionship. As your dog gets more proficient at the game, he will take off in each direction that he saw turkeys fly, and effectively scatter the whole drove. Instead of quartering as many flushing breeds do, the Boykins range ahead of the hunters then hesitate and look before flushing. Then, without warning, press and hold the constant button on your collar. Simply pet him and calmly remind him to sit. By the time I reached the downed bird, Missy had joined us with Gratten hurrying behind her. Fall turkey hunting is a great sport, full of excitement, exercise and companionship. Simply pet him and calmly remind him to sit. Turkeys could take 15 minutes to several hours to calm down enough to want to get back together. As I grew more and more uncomfortable with the wait, I heard a muffled clucking from my left hand side. She and her husband live in Hinesburg, Vermont, where their lives are governed by her two German shorthaired pointers and his two German wirehaired pointers. Make sure that you properly collar condition your pup using the method described in the manual that accompanies your collar. It only took Buck an instant, after being awakened from his nap by the report of the shotgun, to see the flopping turkey just twenty feet away. The turkey was a beautiful two-year-old, with a nine-and-a-half-inch beard. The biggest obstacle to overcome when training a turkey dog is teaching the dog to lie quietly during the callback of the turkeys. Keep him excited and then put the feathers up. In South Carolina, where the Boykin breed was originated, there is not a fall turkey season. Like a bolt, he was on our prize. If it is legal in your location, youll have the pleasure of working and watching one of the few American gundog breeds - and watching it working turkeys, a bird thats also distinctly American - just as the Boykin was bred to do more than a century ago. They are moderate shedders. Keep him excited and then put the feathers up. When I saw him, he was already within easy shotgun range so I eased the gun into place and squeezed the trigger. Today, Boykins are especially valued for dove and quail hunting because of their high tolerance for hot weather. In the field, Boykins have an enthusiastic, bouncy style. While walking in the woods, keep an eye out for fresh turkey sign. The next most important tool is time. It is rumored that the liver-brown coat that so characterizes the Boykin spaniel was purposefully bred into the dog to provide camouflage while laying in wait with his master in the pursuit of the wild turkey. And remind your buddy to remain lying still. Then hes off to the races. To give some meat to this instruction, Id like to tell a story from last fall. In the summer, after a good hike when you both could use a break in the shade, have your dog lie beside you. My Buck stays within easy shotgun range until he hits fresh scent. Now when he sees a deer or is scenting behind one, he turns and checks in with me. Be gentle. 2014-2022 Project Upland Media Group, LLC. If you have another hunting partner, you may want to collect your bird and Boykin quickly and settle back down. After a good long walk, spend some time sitting. If your dog ranges a bit far, dont fret. This particular article focuses on the Boykin spaniel. You dont want to have to shoot a turkey from your left side as, if you are a right handed shooter, it will mean holding your gun over your dog's head. When your dog is in pursuit of a deer, a rabbit, or anything you dont want him to chase, do not tell him "no" or call him back to you. Because of their small size, Boykins dont handle deep cover, large geese, or rough water well. The biggest obstacle to overcome when training a turkey dog is teaching the dog to lie quietly during the callback of the turkeys. But first, make sure that turkey hunting in the fall is legal. With a few handy training tools and plenty of time, a Boykin can become a proficient turkey dog before its second birthday. Buck and Grattens Brittany, Missy, hit the ground running on fresh turkey scent. If the collar is turned up high enough your Bpykin will let out a squall and break off the chase. Then, without warning, press and hold the constant button on your collar. Once youve gotten comfortable and all debris is cleared from under your rump, give a few yelps. 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