Written By: Zach Miller
"As a gundog owner, one of the most important things you need to consider when hunting ducks is where to position your gundog. A well-positioned gundog can make all the difference in a successful hunt, while a poorly positioned one can ruin your chances of bagging any ducks at all. In this article, we’ll discuss some tips on where to position your gundog when hunting ducks so you and your companion are fully set up for success down the road."
First and foremost, it’s important to understand the role of a gundog in duck hunting. Gundogs are trained to retrieve ducks that have been shot down by the hunter or hunters. They are also trained to flush out crippled ducks from hiding places and retrieve them from the water. Therefore, the position of your gundog should be such that it can perform these tasks effectively with the best chance of success. One of the best positions for a gundog when hunting ducks is at the edge of the water. This allows the dog to easily retrieve ducks that have fallen into the water. It also allows the dog to flush out ducks that are hiding in the reeds or other vegetation along the water’s edge. However, it’s important to ensure that the dog is not too close to the water, as this can scare off the ducks.
A large amount of how we can determine success for our dog is what environment we are hunting in. View point is my number one priority when I am in a hunt, the role of the gundog handler should be that of positioning him/herself where they have the most advantageous position to send and more importantly, handle if needed. This must also be done while staying as hidden as possible, one will find that this is extremely challenging and you will learn very quickly how important steadiness is as a skill during training!
Shore/Framed Blinds
A blind is a camouflaged shelter that hunters use to hide from ducks and lower the chances of being spotted in general. When hunting from a blind, you want to look for exit points such as a dog door or dog hole, if the blind is built without the dog in mind, be prepared for the dog to sit with you on the bench. Pay attention to the exit point as well, many shore blinds are just that… exiting from the shore and the terrain can be tougher than most. Depending on the setup and location, I’ve found that setting up a dog blind with elevating feet on the end of the blind works just as well.
Field/Layout Blinds
Layouts can be tricky, I will lead with this, most dogs can grasp the concept of loading up and exiting from almost all blinds in the field; however, layout blinds can be a whole new beast for a gundog. Ideally we want our gundog to lay down by our feet with their head poking out the bottom for a clear line of sight. This will be the best location to not only provide the best sight picture for our gundog but also keep a fair portion of them camouflage as well. Be sure to check out the “Art of Camouflage” article as well!
Treestand/Swamp Hunting
This is one of my favorite types of hunting environments because it tests every bit of a gundog’s training and worth in a duck hunting environment. In almost all cases of swamp hunting, your gundog will be located on a tree stand or platform. There are some really great ones on the market and are extremely easy to set up when picking the best location in the timber. When placing these, I like to keep mine just barely above the water line for a bit of a jump off and an easy climb back on.
Boat/Kayak Hunting
Hunting from a constantly moving vessel is always a challenge, even if your boat is simply halted in the water. Your dog will certainly earn its pay in choppy waters and your dog will be extremely challenged on his/her marking ability with a bird constantly adrift. Be prepared to handle a bit more with this type of environment, it will also challenge the handler to mark the birds in between the chop. In terms of positioning your gundog, you are at the mercy of the boat and the Captain, rightfully so. If possible, bring a boat ladder or ramp or have a vest with a sturdy handle to pick your gundog up with.
In conclusion, the position of your gundog when hunting ducks is crucial to the success of your hunt. Whether you’re hunting in the water, in a blind, or in a field, it’s important to position your gundog in a way that allows it to perform its tasks effectively. There is simply nothing worse than an ill-prepared dog/handler team when birds are coming in or on the water waiting to get picked up. Train, train, train!
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