Robert Ruark:

"Just look at the pair of us," the Old Man said. "Froze stiff, probably going to die of pneumonia, wet, muddy, and miserable, and both of us grinning at each other like Chessy cats. We're crazy as loons, but then you got to be a little crazy to be a duck hunter. Nobody in his right mind would get up before dawn to sit and freeze in a blind on the off chance that some old buck mallard full of fish will fly close enough to get missed."

I smell some duck hunting stories. I won't go first out of deference to the more experienced seekers of the quacking feather dusters.

Somemore good hunting this year by my son and his friend Harley.

Said he had to teach Harley how to bring back the Canadian. Harley had never had that big of a "duck" to bring back.

my wee cockers first 2 retrieves were canadas!!! good work for the dogs ,its great to see the lad is getting out.

Killer pics.

Gonna start jump shootin' next year w/ a new buddy next year....he knows some spots, can't wait!

Bushy, a question: can that dog swim with such a goose in his mouth? A few months ago I also shot such a canadian and it landed on a little island in a pool. My friend's german short hair went to get it, but she couldn't cross the water when she returned, she just started swimming in little circles. My friend had to jump into the water to help his dog.
Ducks are no problem but gooses seem to be a little too big, or maybe it's just because they don't get enough experience with gooses.
So: could that lab swim with such a goose?

That I don't know. Most Canadians in Washington USA are shot over land.

I'll ask.

Lab's are tanks. Haul a honker no problem. Trickier that a duck but once they get it and with a vest no sweat.

A vest....I take it the vest on the dog is a flotation device then...I was thinking it was neck and chest protection for him like our pig dogs wear out here.

Great pics Bushy...your young fella and his dog done good mate.

Cheers, Vince

I stand corrected. The Canadian did hit the water. My son said he was standing in amongst his decoys when they flew over. Harley did bring the goose to my son and they both brought it to shore from there.

Yeah. The vest helps Harley float better after getting his long hair water soaked. Harley is 7 years old and has been hunting sense 1 1/2 years old. A veteren...

a floating vest? I'm learning every day. Here I know them in orange (so that hunters wouldn't shoot the dog) and even the Kevlar-ones which must be used when hunting wild boars in Germany, but for duck-hunting? How does he get the water out of his hair? Does that vest allows a good shaking? And you have no trees in and near the water? What if that vest sticks to such a part and prevent the dog from moving? My dog doesn't even get a collar when I'm hunting because I fear such accidents.

But you made me wonder how a dog of lab-size can hold such a goose. Does that vest has pockets on the back? I have to show that picture to my dog, maybe she can learn to get a goose. Probably she's going to ask such a vest

Kevlar- pig hunting.
Neoprene- water fowl. Floats more and retains a little heat, so they say. Def flaots more.

those neoprene vests are just the ticket for a duckhunters best friend. a dog normally swims quite low in the water but with a vest on the rearend is lifted and the dogs dont tire so easy, they keep the dog warm to just like a wet suit. if my wee cocker can drag in a goose( I admit it wasnt far) a big retrievaholic like a lab has no excuses. Aloy try teacing your dog to retrieve by the neck that way the bird is alongside them, a big black swan will intimadate most dogs.

A big black swan intimidates me!