Gun Dog Magazine is the best magazine for hunting enthusiasts who are owners of retrieving breeds. Each issue is guaranteed to be filled with useful information devoted to you, your dog and the sport of upland bird and waterfowl hunters.
AFTER A LONG hunting season, it always feels good to rest and get ba ck into a routine at home. See family and friends, finally sleep in my own bed, and clean up the garage from months of throwing gear here and there. Routine, it’s nice—but it doesn’t bring me comfort for long. The season has been over for a month (for me) at the time of this writing—and I’m already longing for days afield behind my dogs. My soul longs for the noise from the hustle and bustle of life to fade, for the cars and the crowds to be replaced by the serene stillness of the mountains. The trickle of a stream, the wind rustling the leaves of an aspen grove, and the swish swish of my pants…
LEAKY EYES First of all, I look forward to your magazine every time I finish reading my current one. I’ve given subscriptions as gifts many times. I’m a big fan of Gun Dog. I, too, have tons of memories of dogs from my 50 years afield. Dog stories are so relatable and always find someone to appreciate them. I just wanted to say thank you for the memories in the Winter 2024 Issue. I’m not embarrassed to say my eyes leaked more than once. I’ve been there. Thank you again. – Mike Patterson | via email CHEERS TO WILD UPLAND! I finally found your show (Wild Upland) on MOTV. It’s everything you promised. Thanks for the first show that creates a “take you there” experience. Love the product placement in…
Hoping to find more birds this year for your gun dog, as well as your freezer? E-scouting is a tactic that you should consider before hitting the field. It will have your boots (and paws) tromping through the uplands in search of the next flush rather than behind the cab of your truck wasting precious time and gas. E-scouting from your computer, tablet, or phone helps aid a successful day afield and gets precious bird contacts under the nose of your bird dog. Utilize these tips and tools before heading to the uplands this fall. UTILIZE ACCESS LAYERS By toggling on layers such as Walk-In and Possible Access layers, you’ve just opened up thousands of acres of land to hunt. Many states offer walk-in programs—private land opened to the public…
DOKKEN DEADFOWL TRAINER A proper pick-up is crucial when retrieving during competition and in the field when you want to preserve the birds you have shot. The Dokken DeadFowl Trainers have free swinging heads and feet made from hard plastic. This discourages mouthing and shaking, resulting in a more consistent proper pick up and retrieve. The fact that it floats, even when punctured, makes it a durable piece of equipment for both water and land retrieves. $10–$50; gundogsupply.com RUFF LAND KENNELS Transport your dog to and from the training fields with Ruff Land’s line of durable kennels. Made with Ruff Flex Technology, the kennels are made to flex and absorb energy that would be transferred to your dog in a crash. The doors of the kennel can be customized from…
THE BUMPER: One of the most essential tools for training your up-and-coming bird dog. This simple retrieving device has been made using different shapes, sizes, and materials for years. However, Gunner, most known for their double-walled durable kennels, is changing the game with their innovative take on the traditional bumper. REINVENTING THE WHEEL How can you improve a simple, rubber retrieving tool? “Hold my beer…” Gunner said. Upon unboxing, I noticed immediately a difference from traditional bumpers—from top to bottom. The body design of the Gunner Bumper was unique, the weight was light, and the traditional rope throw handle had been replaced with a rubber design. The Gunner Bumper is made of what they call Duratrieve —a propriety rubber compound that isn’t as heavy as traditional rubber bumpers. This rubber…
IF YOU’RE looking for an easy weeknight meal with pheasant, look no further. Aside from brine time, this pheasant and lemon-herb sauce recipe can be on the table in just 30 minutes. Let’s talk about brining. You might’ve brined your Thanksgiving turkey, but did you know that brining also can beb beneficial to game birds? Brining is the method of soaking meat in a solution of salt and water to improve its texture, flavor, and to prevent it from drying out. Thanksgiving turkey can be notoriously dry if overcooked. Similarly, hunters run into the same problem with light meat game birds, such as pheasant, quail, or wild turkey. I love a mallard or sharpie breast cooked medium to medium-rare. But I don’t have the same tolerance with lighter game birds,…
