Dogs and rice

[ZaneO]

I’ve always hunted natural ponds where I hunt my dog remote so I’m not shooting directly over them. This season it looks like I’ll be in the rice and was wondering if anyone hunts their dog remote instead of a dog box at the end of the pit. I was think about brushing up a dog stand down the check a ways but was wondering if anyone else has done this or has a better system they use. Thanks

 

[laughing mallard]

Haven’t hunted rice in years but it is very easy to train your dog to hunt remote on a rice check. Fish dog taught me that and it served me well while I was hunting rice. A well brushed dog blind would make it even easier…

 

[Ryan]

Yup. Both our dogs hunt remotely about 10-20 yards down the check in a mutt hut. Either myself or my wife shoot whatever side the dog is on. Saves the dogs hearing and they can probably marks falls a bit better.

 

[Elksniper1]

Yes brush up a blind in a good fashion keep it low but comfortable for a dog to enter and exit and they will be fine with their “place “ after their retrieves are done .
We hunt mowed checks and a dog box 20 yards or more away from the blind hasn’t seemed to affect the birds .

 

[bojingles]

Hiding is key. As long as your dog or dog blind don’t look obvious when out in the pond looking back then remote hunting is about as good as it gets. Can’t tell you how many blinds or dog blinds I see that look like Noah’s ark and the “hunters” wonder why they aren't getting birds to work them. Granted—these are normally the same people that are oblivious to decoy placement, etc.

Obviously, if the dog is remote hunting, then them bringing the bird back to hand is at a premium (as opposed to good enough to drop within arms reach of you from their hole) Also, another downside is lots of opportunities lost while pup is dropping bird off and trying to scramble back down the check while birds are working. Ultimately, all comes down to training and a well trained dog will hunt great close or Far away, but far away is of course always going to be safer for the dog. Period.

 

[skyscrapper]

Brushed up dog blinds work perfect and the lower profile the better. Staking a 1"x4" across the front prevents them from "creeping' out as most like to do. I like to face towards the dog or have in easy sight down the check/road to keep track and observe their movements and location. They can be great partners seeing birds - just watch their eyes and head.

 

[chubby]

Half the birds I kill my dog sees first.

 

[1911king]

What color is your dog? I tend to match the hatch on the check with my yellow lab. I’m not a fan of a kennel on a rice check. I build the dog a fresh straw bed almost every hunt down the check. I keep him at least 20 yards down the check on my end.

 

[CA Birdman]

I usually use a set of gibson 3 foot covers brushed up but this will be pup's first year hunting. Will likely start with her in the dog box and me not shooting till comfortable she is not breaking and then move to remote sit.

 

[Ryan]