Wild Apple Kennel and Guide Service

Wild Apple Kennel and Guide Service
The 2007 Grand National Grouse Champion, Winner 2008 Northern New England Woodcock Championship, Winner 2010 Lake States Grouse Championship, Runner-up 2011 Northeast Grouse and Woodcock Championship, Winner 2011 International Amateur Woodcock Championship, Winner 2012 Southern New England Woodcock Championship

Wild Apple Kennel Training Blog

This blog will try to present a running account of the training and field trialing season for the pointers of Wild Apple Kennel. NOW ACCEPTING BOOKINGS FOR THE 2015 GROUSE AND WOODCOCK SEASON WITH WILD APPLE KENNEL GUIDE SERVICE! PHONE NUMBERS 603-449-3419 OR CELL 603-381-8763.



Thursday, July 4, 2013

Back into the Woods

Although I've missed a number of days on the blog, I haven't missed any days working dogs since my last installment here.  Starting Monday I've been back in our summer training covers with all the adult dogs and the Tony's been going out for the early runs the last three days.  It's extremely wet in the woods and the river is close to spring flood stage.  The shore end of our dock is under water and it's uphill to the float.  Some drier weather ahead.  We're just starting to find some grouse in our covers and those number will continue to build as the hens move the chicks around to take advantage of various food sources.  It's tough to get brood counts early in the season as many times the little birds hunker down on the ground rather than fly.  To date we have not seen any big broods but we are seeing chicks.    All the dogs are getting wild bird contacts -- some on their own and others in backing situations.  The house grouse are still cooperating as the puppy Sam had two grouse finds Tuesday to earn dog of the day honors, while on Wednesday Brandy, another one of the puppies, got the honors by finding and chasing at least four different grouse.  Today we tried an new place and Trash had a brood find with Maggie coming in for the back.  When we tried the next spot Frankie put on a show with five woodcock on three finds and a stop to flush on a grouse.  He was running with Max who got to back on one occasion and had a divided find on a woodcock as well.  The woodcock were down in an area of  spruce and fir that was especially wet -- you could even call it a swamp.

Yesterday Ruby and Glo had a good run around the kennel and found a woodcock in a likely looking spot.  It's the first one I've found here at the kennel this summer.

One of the problems we've been having is that the air has been completely still and heavy in the morning making for tough scenting conditions. Today saw a bit of a change in the weather with it being a little hotter but drier.  If this keeps up I may even be able to get the first mowing done here at the kennel.

It has also been too wet to carry either my phone or camera in the woods.  When that changes I'll post more pictures.

No comments:

Post a Comment