Summer is winding down and that means hunting season is not far away. I’m not sure what these signs are where you live, but here on the Snake River Plains of Idaho, it is evident everywhere. Farmers are cutting grain, kids are pre-registering for school, high school football is again the topic, and dogs are re-energizing themselves after a very hot summer. Normally August is the hottest month, but not this year.
The first weekend of September signifies not only Labor Day weekend, but the opening of Mourning Dove and Forest Grouse season. I’m not one to hunt Mourning Doves, never have and probably never will; in my opinion, they are not worth the cost of the shells, especially when you shoot like me. But I definitely go after grouse.
This year will be different, as I will have two dogs with me: Sophie, with whom I’ve hunted for four years and will be five in November, and Dakota, whose story will be in another article. But as we prepare for a new season of chasing birds through brush and trees, there are some things to keep in mind before heading to the hills.
1- Do a safety check on your shotgun. It’s probably been sitting around the house or closet since the end of last season, and it should be checked, oiled, and in good working condition; who knows what may have gotten in there since last season.
2- Brush up on hunting. Do a little trap shooting to reacquaint yourself with your gun, and do some refresher training with your dog. You should have been working with your dog off and on all year, but if not, do some refresher training. Remember – your dog may be rusty on commands and techniques, so don’t expect him to pick up where he left off last hunting season. Have patience.
3- Check your safety kits. Even if you camp all summer long, you may have not checked it recently; there should be a kit for both you and your dogs. Have any of its contents expired, lost or damaged?
4- Check your physical conditioning. Have you kept yourself and your dog in condition since last hunting season? Like you, your dog has to be in good condition, because they can suffer the same problems as you – pulled or torn muscles, strained tendons, heart disease, and joint damage from being overweight. If you haven’t kept in shape, it is past time that you both begin working up to the rigors of hunting.
5- Research. You may want to start checking on where to hunt. Did a cold wet spring kill off the new hatch this year? Are there drought conditions or fires that pushed the birds elsewhere? A little research might save you a lot of wasted time.
6- Check your vehicle. If it has not been off the pavement since last year, make sure that it won’t leave you stranded a dozen miles from nowhere.
7- Subscribe to magazines. If you do not already do so, you should seriously consider subscribing to dog and hunting magazines; these contain valuable information from experts and peers.
Those are just a few of many things to consider, but if it gets you to evaluate yourself and your dog, you may prevent problems and have a productive and enjoyable hunting season.
