Decided to see how the new pup takes to the marsh today -- not a serious hunt, just a glorified boat ride with a half dozen or so dekes. Warden is only 2.5 months old but he has started retrieving things, has an interest in birds, and has gotten used to the sound of gunfire already. I took him and Poacher into the swamp this morning well after the sun rose (the pup is afraid of the dark) and introduced him to the boat and hunting. I shot a gadwall about 10 minutes after setting up and sent Poacher for it. Warden was quite intrigued. I shot another gadwall, and then a mallard and Warden was right at the edge of the boat watching Poacher go. A little later a snipe came by and I dropped it at the edge of the dekes. The wind was going to take it right to the boat so I didn't send the dog right away but let it drift in. When it got about 10 feet away, Warden flops over the side and swims out to it and bumps it with his nose. I act all excited and tell him to "fetch it up" and he turns takes it by the wing tip and brings it in. Pretty proud of the little guy. We had to quit a few minutes after that because he was cold and shivering. Picked up a couple more snipe and a redhead while picking up the dekes.
Boat ride out.
Meeting his first freshly killed bird.
First retrieve.
A new generation of tailgate shots begins.
Tuckered out.
Boat ride out.
Meeting his first freshly killed bird.
First retrieve.
A new generation of tailgate shots begins.
Tuckered out.
