HUNTING WOODCOCK WITH YOUR DOG

HUNTING WOODCOCK WITH YOUR DOG

Why do we need the dog during a woodcock hunt? The woodcock is a very clever migratory bird, which has a great particularity, mimicry. Indeed, the color of its feathers is easily confused with the biotope that surrounds it, it is not easy to see it directly with the naked eye. The dog therefore has an important role in the visual and olfactory quest for this queen of the woods.

BREEDS & SPECIFICITIES OF IDEAL DOGS FOR HUNTING WOODCOCK

It can be hunted with different types of dogs, but the pointing dog remains the most used, by custom. Indeed, its role is to find the game and stop it. In this way, it signals to the hunter the presence of the bird. The hunter then has time to go up to the dog to try to take the bird.

The most commonly used pointing dogs are: the English setter, the khortal griffon, the brittany spaniel, the pointer. Some are said to be of great quest, they hunt between 200 and 300m, like the setter or the pointer. Others are said to be of small quest, they hunt between 30 and 50 m, like the Brittany spaniel for example. This information is important when you have to choose your equipment.

Hunting with a game dog, such as a springer for example, is different since the role of the latter is to find and lift game by flushing it out of its hiding place. The latter will not stop it, therefore the master will have to be constantly on his guard and close to his dog if he wants to hope to take this bronze.

DOG EQUIPMENT FOR HUNTING WOODCOCK

You can equip your companion with a traditional bell such as a woodcock bell or nay bell, to be able to follow his quest from a distance and be able to locate him in the biotope in which he is evolving.

If you use this traditional equipment, we advise you to equip the animal with a bell with open campanes to prevent the brambles from going to fit into the interstices of the closed models, which would prevent the leaves from ringing.

In recent years, new products have appeared on the market such as the electronic bell. It is a sound and electric transmitter which produces a particular sound during the gallop of the dog, and a different one when the dog marks the stop.

The main difference with the classic bell is that this electronic bell will only go off when the dog stops (or at the hunter's request).

You can also equip it with a TR Dog Houndmate100/R50 GPS tracking collar because your companion can cover up to 40km in 3 hours of hunting. Thanks to this equipment you will be able to follow his quest as well as the number of kilometers traveled. This information can also be used to control your dog's energy needs and thus calibrate his diet according to his daily effort.

EDUCATION & MATURITY OF DOG QUEST TO HUNTING WOODCOCK

You can take your dog hunting woodcock from an early age, but it will be more discovery outings than pure hunting.

If your dog is young, prefer short outings. If he has not yet finished growing, making him work too long could generate development problems (muscular, morphological, etc.).

As for the maturity of quest that he can develop, it will vary according to the origins and the aptitude of the dog. But one thing is certain, the more birds the dog encounters, the better a woodcock hunter he will become.

You can combine these outings with training to strengthen his skills. There are a few trainers specializing in woodcock hunting, in particular the dog is taught to be careful with the bird. This passage is however not obligatory, especially if the dog has good origins.

PREPARING THE DOG FOR WOODCOCK HUNTING

Outside the hunting season, we advise you to feed your dog low-fat kibble to prevent it from getting fat, because even if you take it out regularly, physical activity is not the same as in hunting season and lower energy expenditure.

Then, about a month before the start of the hunt, you can start giving him higher-fat kibbles, and take him out longer to prepare him well.

And in season, feed it exclusively with high-fat kibbles. You can also vary the rations according to the weather, the outside temperature and the time of hunting practiced. In addition, we advise you to mix the croquettes with energy drink to promote recovery.

AFTER THE HUNTING: HOW DO YOU TAKE CARE OF YOUR DOG?

After the hunt, priority is given to cleaning. We advise you to brush your dog after each outing to remove the parasites, but especially the thorns and other elements of the biotope that he could have carried away. We recommend that you systematically clean fragile areas with lotion such as the eyes and ears.

If necessary, you can shower them after the hunt. Bringing a portable shower with you can allow you to do this on the spot, but not only, it can also be very useful to hydrate your companion in case of high temperatures.