Dove hunting with a Lab

palmergt3 · 08-08-2010, 05:01 PM

I have heard in the past that it is bad for you to hunt dove with your dog that it is actually bad for them. Not because of the heat due to early season weather but that hunting doves will actually ruin a dog. Is there any truth to this or would it be ok to take my dog out on a dove hunt this year? I have had the dog for 5yrs now and he has only hunted pheasants and does really good at pheasants just never took him on a dove hunt due to hearing that it is bad for them. Any advice that anyone could provide would be great.

JW · 08-08-2010, 05:30 PM

Never heard that and I hunt doves with my dogs. They love the RTV and come in handy in the tall grass so I don't loose birds

JW

Doc E · 08-08-2010, 05:41 PM

Doves shed feathers like crazy. Those she feathers will fill a dog's mouth (regardless of breed), so take plenty of water with you and rinse out the dog's mouth and use your fingers to get the feathers out...
All will be well.
Your dog needs to have been Force Fetched, so as to disuade the dog from chomping and eating the bird.

.

palmergt3 · 08-09-2010, 01:23 PM

thanks guys

bronko22000 · 08-22-2010, 06:46 AM

Nonsense, true doves do lose a lot of feathers. But my dogs loved the hunt. But when I hunt doves with the dogs, I carry plenty of water bottles. Helps rinse the feathers out of their mouths and also keeps them hydrated so they don't overheat in the warmer weather associated with dove hunting.

Mite · 08-23-2010, 06:43 AM

"Dove hunting with a Lab"

Strange partnership you have there. Which one carries the gun?

sproulman · 08-23-2010, 06:55 PM

I JUST PLANTED 200 DOLLARS WORTH OF GRASS SEED, toby saw me clap my hands to chase the doves away.they are eating my seed.
after that toby my lab flushed the doves.if my neighbor would not turn me in ole sproul would have had some fun with my .410 shotgun.