It's important that you evaluate the factors listed below before you decide when to start hunting with your partner.

For our "average" pup that is six months old on October 1st, who has had a typical development in his conditioning and lives in the northern half of the country, I would definitely begin some very short, appropriate hunts this fall. If he progresses well during the early part of the season, I would continue hunting him, giving him every opportunity to experience as much wild game as possible. Factors involved are: maturity, where your pup is in his own individual development, and what part of the country you live in.

FIRST BIRD SHOT OVER PUP

If you have the opportunity to shoot a bird over your young dog shortly before the opening of hunting season, do so. That way, you can orchestrate things a little better than in actual hunting conditions. You could do this with bobwhite quail released from a recall box.

Assuming you have been successful in all the preliminary gun conditioning as described in Chapter Six, and in the previous chapters on Field Conditioning and Water Condition, go out now and hunt for quail. When pup has a really good point, walk in boldly, flush the bird, and shoot it well. You want this first bird to fall down dead. You do not want it wing-tipped and running. Usually the pup is off and running toward the bird as soon as it flushes. When he reaches the bird, he may pick it up almost immediately and start back to you. Often the young dog isn't quite sure what to do. If he reaches the bird and doesn't pick it up immediately and start back, encourage him, "Good boy, good boy." Put lots of excitement and praise into your voice.

If he doesn't pick the bird up after one or two minutes walk to the bird and point to it and keep encouraging the dog. If he still doesn't grab it up, reach for it and offer it to the pup. Play with him with the bird to build enthusiasm. Only as a last resort, gently put it in his mouth, making sure his lips are not pinched against his teeth. These first few times should be pleasant experiences to store in his memory bank-you're not training, just showing pup what you want.

Once pup has the bird in his mouth, walk back to the spot where the dog pointed the bird, encouraging your dog to come with you. When you get there proceed just as if he has done the retrieve without your having to walk out there. Almost always, the young dog will bring the bird back, especially if you have been doing a good job of retrieving conditioning.

When he gets to you with the bird, which might still be alive, don't grab for the bird right away. Bring the dog to you; hang on to him by his collar, not by the scruff of the neck. Pet him; tell him how wonderful he is. Make a BIG FUSS over him. Then, say, "GIVE" and gently take the bird from him.

If the dog won't release the bird, take a good hold of the back of his collar and lift his front legs off the ground. This cuts off his breathing and he will spit the bird out. Two or three times of being choked will teach the dog about GIVE and he will also know that he gets to hang on to the bird for a minute before he has to give it up to BOSS.

After he releases the bird to you, stay down on your knees. Keep your hand around the bird; praise the dog quietly (sweet-talk). Let him nose the bird and get his fill of it. Then let him see you put the bird in your game pocket. If the dog should try to chew the bird, your hand on the bird will prevent the chewing, and still provide time for praise. If you are good buddies he won't chew hard on our hand. Pup probably has some bird feathers stuck in his mouth. You should help get rid of them. Pull as many feathers out of his mouth as you can. Having just gone through the sequence of finding, pointing, shooting and retrieving the first bird, you have undoubtedly just cemented a lifelong relationship of devotion and partnership.

If you don't have an opportunity to set this up before hunting season, then just go out after the season opens to a place you know holds wild birds. Do the same thing. Wait for the good point, walk in boldly, flush, and short the bird cleanly.

Additional sections included in this Chapter are:

• INTRODUCTION TO UPLAND HUNTING
• VARIETY OF GAME
• PHOTOS