Dogs

Cover-To-Cover: A Book Review

November 23, 2022 by Ruffed Grouse Society

by Glen R. Blackwood | RGS & AWS Regional Director of Development “Appalachian Grouse Dog” Authors: Dennis LaBare, Bill Horn, Helen Stacy LaBare Forward by Steve Smith Illustrations by Gordon Allen Published by Catamount Press 2021 Retail Price $34.95 ISBN: 978-62006-484-9 Wednesday afternoons were special in my childhood as that was when my mother toted my sister and me to the local library. Most Wednesdays, as we stepped off the school bus, our family’s chestnut-brown station wagon was running, and she was waiting at the end of the driveway. My mother, Nancy, was a high-strung lady who had little time for lollygagging, especially when she had a...

Prepping for an Upland Road Trip

November 9, 2022 by Ruffed Grouse Society

by Seth Bynum, DVM Perhaps my favorite attribute of a bird dog is their unending enthusiasm to load up and go hunting. A subtle movement towards the gun safe or the rustling of a bird vest are all that’s required to light the fires hot and fast without care about the weather, terrain or what televised Sunday sporting event might be missed with a day spent in the field. Additionally, they’re always game for an upland-cation on short notice, without care for feasibility or becoming mired in logistics. But raw enthusiasm only gets you so far when finalizing a game plan for...

Proper Pet Food Storage

November 3, 2022 by Ruffed Grouse Society

by Keith Schopp Part of my job at Purina – one that I really enjoyed before retiring – was occasionally answering calls from consumers. Some calls were positive, some were opportunities and some were downright bizarre. “WHY DO YOU PACK LIVE ANIMALS IN YOUR BAGS OF DOG FOOD?’’ the consumer yelled into the phone. Below is one of the bizarre ones. “We don’t,” I said calmly but firmly. “WELL, THEN PLEASE TELL ME WHY I OPENED THE BAG TODAY AND A LARGE ANIMAL WAS LOOKING UP AT ME? IT SCARED ME. THE ANIMAL WAS SCARED, TOO!” I tried, repeatedly, to assure this consumer there was no...

All the Bells and Whistles

August 9, 2022 by Ruffed Grouse Society

by Keith Schopp There’s something about following a bell in the grouse woods. People who use them on their well-trained bird dogs tend to be savvy, dedicated hunters who may harken to a simpler time – before electronics and GPS tracking devices. With the bell, handlers and hunters can sense the joy and gauge the efficiency of their dog as it merrily and methodically works the cover. When the “cling, cling, cling” chime cadence begins to slow and goes silent – it’s showtime. There’s something about a beeper collar. Press a button, and you get instant feedback on the whereabouts of your...

Tips on Choosing a Puppy

August 5, 2022 by Ruffed Grouse Society

by Carey Killion New beginnings. Crisp fall mornings spent in the company of a puppy, watching them learn the wonders of the woods and the quarry it holds. While those thoughts can be intoxicating and may have you ready to bring home a pup from the first litter you hear of, buying a puppy isn’t a decision to take lightly. Do your research and take your time, and you’ll have years of hunting ahead of you with your new companion. Choosing a Breed While many of us are already entrenched in a specific breed, this may not always be the case. Be open...

Purely Dogs – Summer Safety Strategies

July 5, 2022 by Ruffed Grouse Society

by Seth Bynum, DVM My lifelong love of summer started to fade when bird dogs became part of my life. The once intense and pining anticipation of summer break or dry fly season now feels supplanted by a longing for crisp air and the flush of wings. Most summer training articles focus on hydration and heat, two areas where a healthy dose of common sense can help avoid most life-threatening complications. But other, more common summer ailments from Mother Nature’s arsenal are statistically more likely to leave you with preseason headaches and veterinary bills, particularly when unnoticed or left unaddressed. Throughout much of...

Dogs

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