This picture is from a couple weeks ago, a late season hunt for my young pup. The last couple times had been frustrating with the late season snows, we had put up a couple birds, I even got a shot off at one - He knew he was looking for "birds" but you could tell he was unsure.



On the last hunt, the snow was still deep - 3 ft - I hunted on snowshoes. It had snowed the night before, so any tracks were "fresh". We came to a section of blowdowns, covered in grape vines, and alot of grouse tracks were in the area. Ben got all excited, I knew he could smell the bird by how he was acting. I got into position, and watched him work the area - it was a wonderful sight, he's never been trained (except for me throwing a frozen grouse and having him fetch it - sometimes I shot at it).

When he got close to the bird he locked up - (like he does at the birds at our feeder). A second or two later the bird busted cover - and I made good on the shot. Ben saw it all unfold and was un top of the bird before it stopped flapping its wings. I couldn't have asked for a finer training session for Ben - He's 7 months old.

Now that the season is over - he doesn't understand that we are "done for the year" but I think he's hooked for life now.

Thanks for reading - I feel like a proud Papa sharing the story.

It always makes me happy to see a brittany at work! Great end to the season, enjoy many more to come!

Awesome......Great for Ben

Good Boy Ben, Good Boy ! (your owner didn't do bad either).

First birds for dogs are like first girls for guys. Ya never forget 'em

Great story and pic's.
Good job on both of you. It must be something to watch all that unfold on snowshoes.