Each year we ask owners of hunting dogs to submit photos of their dogs in the field.
The response once again was quite good. Despite bird populations that have declined from previous years, there was simply no way hunters were going to keep their dogs at home. It might be more accurate to say the dogs wouldn't allow it to happen.
Here we share some moments in the field, memories of the hunt and of the unique abilities of hunting breeds. Their enthusiasm is unmatched and their knowledge in the field easily surpasses that of the best hunters among us.
Article Photos
Submitted Photo - - ”Coal,” a black Labrador owned by Chris Pulver of Stanley, scans the sky during a hunt in the Stanley area Oct. 19. “I just love watching her intense gaze when we are in the decoys,” Pulver said. “She can let me know where the birds are coming in just by watching her eyes. At age 10 she acts like a 5-year-old dog when she’s in the field.”
We asked for photos emphasizing dogs, not hunters, and our readers responded splendidly. So did the dogs but, as owners will certainly attest, their dogs are always more than ready for the challenge of the hunt.
There are still two weeks of upland game hunting remaining. The season closes Jan. 8. If you get your dog into the field and capture some memorable moments on camera in the coming days, feel free to submit them for possible publication in these pages at season's end. Please include the dog's breed, age, owner's name and town, date the photo was taken and approximate location of the hunt.
Fact Box
More photos can be found at DOGS in the FIELD - Part 1