More Than Just Retrievers
Labs Showing Off Lesser Known Talent
Posted 12/10/2023
As an avid duck hunter growing up in central Arkansas, it is a given that most of the outings in the duck waters would be accompanied by a retriever, most often a lab. Labs and ducks go hand in hand. In Arkansas, practically all duck hunters have labs, plus they fill the role of family dogs in an endless number of non-hunting homes. Labs are loyal, loving, and obedient; something that makes for a great duck dog as well as a family dog.
Even though I grew up seeing how smart labs were and how they could accomplish just about any task placed before them, I never fully grasped just how intelligent they were. Then I made the trip to South Dakota for my first pheasant hunt, outside of Conde at Coteau View Hunts and Labradors.
A New Experience
I had always pictured hunting pheasants over some sort of pointing breed, such as German Shorthairs or English Pointers. But Coteau View uses labs as their pointers, something I never imagined a lab could do. I was anxious to see them in action!
Upon arrival, Bryan showed us the kennels, which were filled with the most beautiful, athletic looking dogs. Each one sat looking at us, filled with anticipation, eagerly waiting to be loaded up and taken to the field. I don’t know who was more excited to go, me or the dogs!
The first morning was a cold one, 30 degrees colder than back home that day. We unloaded the truck, loaded our guns and unleashed the dogs; there was Cedar, a stout, muscular male, and Rage, a sleek, lean black female. Immediately they took off ahead of us, crisscrossing back and forth, looking for the scent of the majestic pheasant. If they ventured out too far ahead of us, our guide, Kody, would give a couple of hits on his whistle, bringing them right back in range.
Locked In
Once they found a bird, they locked up in the most beautiful, steady point imaginable. The birds were just a few feet in front of them, moving only when they felt the pressure. The labs would eagerly follow the pheasant, always staying far enough back to not flush it. Once we were all in good positions to hopefully get good shots, Kody gave the “fetch” command, sending the dog in a mad rush, racing toward the bird. Chasing after him that fast would flush the bird, giving us a decent shot most of the time.
This is when the other big skill they have comes into play; they go from pointer to retriever, in the blink of an eye, as soon as the flush happens. When the bird flushed, and IF we made a good shot, which was not always the case, they would chase after it to bring it back. If it was dead when it hit the ground, they went directly to it to eagerly bring it back. But if it ran once it landed, which happens if the pheasant is still alive, the dogs would trail it, chase it, and work to grab it on the run. It was truly remarkable watching them perform!
Showing Off His Skills
While fighting my way through thicker, taller brush than I ever expected, I was able to be a part of the best pointer/retriever combo demonstration that I could witness. Cedar locked in on a point in an extremely heavy thicket. It was a solid point, along with no movement from the pheasant. Kody gave the command and as soon as Cedar flushed him, I made what looked like a solid shot on him; feathers exploded and I expected him to drop immediately, but to my surprise, he was only wounded and just coasted 10 to 12 feet high, across the clear-cut field that bordered the thick brush he flew from.
With that field being wide open, it allowed for me to witness firsthand the beauty of this pointing and retrieving combo. As the pheasant sailed above the field, Cedar instantly turned from pointer to retriever and his only focus was that bird. He chased it with so much intensity, staying directly under it the entire way, as the pheasant flew 100 yards across the field. As it ran out of steam and started to drop, Cedar was ready and as he got to about four feet above ground, Cedar jumped, grabbing him out of the air, then instantly turned and brought him back in a full sprint.
The praise and attention that he received when he brought that one back was well earned! He had showed just how important the retrieving part was to his hunting skillset. Had he not been able to pursue that bird as well as he did, being there to snatch it out of the air, it would have hit the ground in a full sprint, never to be seen by us again.
Nothing to Retrieve
But, when our shots were not great, which happened more than I would like to admit, Cedar and Rage still took off after each flush, expecting us to drop a bird or two for them. But when we didn’t hold up our end of the deal, all it took was a few whistle blows and the dogs came straight back, understanding what Kody was telling them to do. The same thing happened when a hen would flush. Hens are not legal to shoot, and since the dogs don’t know the difference, they would take off after them just as fast as they do for the drakes. When that happened, just like before, as soon as Kody called them back, they did a 180 and came straight back. They didn’t understand why they had to come back, but they listened to what Kody told them, and followed his commands.
Even More Respect
The retrievers’ ability to make unbelievable retrieves in some of the most difficult situations has never been in question; not by me or any other duck hunter. But their ability to combine that skill with the completely different skill of pointing is one that I never dreamed of them being able to accomplish. But Coteau View Hunts and Labradors allowed me to see first-hand how these top of the line hunting dogs were able to accomplish greater feats than most people, myself included, would imagine.
I have always admired labs and what they bring to duck hunts, but I now have even more respect for them and their abilities. After watching what they did to help us take down these majestic ring-necks, I doubt that there is any limit to what they are capable of!
Even though I grew up seeing how smart labs were and how they could accomplish just about any task placed before them, I never fully grasped just how intelligent they were. Then I made the trip to South Dakota for my first pheasant hunt, outside of Conde at Coteau View Hunts and Labradors.
A New Experience
I had always pictured hunting pheasants over some sort of pointing breed, such as German Shorthairs or English Pointers. But Coteau View uses labs as their pointers, something I never imagined a lab could do. I was anxious to see them in action!
Upon arrival, Bryan showed us the kennels, which were filled with the most beautiful, athletic looking dogs. Each one sat looking at us, filled with anticipation, eagerly waiting to be loaded up and taken to the field. I don’t know who was more excited to go, me or the dogs!
The first morning was a cold one, 30 degrees colder than back home that day. We unloaded the truck, loaded our guns and unleashed the dogs; there was Cedar, a stout, muscular male, and Rage, a sleek, lean black female. Immediately they took off ahead of us, crisscrossing back and forth, looking for the scent of the majestic pheasant. If they ventured out too far ahead of us, our guide, Kody, would give a couple of hits on his whistle, bringing them right back in range.
Locked In
Once they found a bird, they locked up in the most beautiful, steady point imaginable. The birds were just a few feet in front of them, moving only when they felt the pressure. The labs would eagerly follow the pheasant, always staying far enough back to not flush it. Once we were all in good positions to hopefully get good shots, Kody gave the “fetch” command, sending the dog in a mad rush, racing toward the bird. Chasing after him that fast would flush the bird, giving us a decent shot most of the time.
This is when the other big skill they have comes into play; they go from pointer to retriever, in the blink of an eye, as soon as the flush happens. When the bird flushed, and IF we made a good shot, which was not always the case, they would chase after it to bring it back. If it was dead when it hit the ground, they went directly to it to eagerly bring it back. But if it ran once it landed, which happens if the pheasant is still alive, the dogs would trail it, chase it, and work to grab it on the run. It was truly remarkable watching them perform!
Showing Off His Skills
While fighting my way through thicker, taller brush than I ever expected, I was able to be a part of the best pointer/retriever combo demonstration that I could witness. Cedar locked in on a point in an extremely heavy thicket. It was a solid point, along with no movement from the pheasant. Kody gave the command and as soon as Cedar flushed him, I made what looked like a solid shot on him; feathers exploded and I expected him to drop immediately, but to my surprise, he was only wounded and just coasted 10 to 12 feet high, across the clear-cut field that bordered the thick brush he flew from.
With that field being wide open, it allowed for me to witness firsthand the beauty of this pointing and retrieving combo. As the pheasant sailed above the field, Cedar instantly turned from pointer to retriever and his only focus was that bird. He chased it with so much intensity, staying directly under it the entire way, as the pheasant flew 100 yards across the field. As it ran out of steam and started to drop, Cedar was ready and as he got to about four feet above ground, Cedar jumped, grabbing him out of the air, then instantly turned and brought him back in a full sprint.
The praise and attention that he received when he brought that one back was well earned! He had showed just how important the retrieving part was to his hunting skillset. Had he not been able to pursue that bird as well as he did, being there to snatch it out of the air, it would have hit the ground in a full sprint, never to be seen by us again.
Nothing to Retrieve
But, when our shots were not great, which happened more than I would like to admit, Cedar and Rage still took off after each flush, expecting us to drop a bird or two for them. But when we didn’t hold up our end of the deal, all it took was a few whistle blows and the dogs came straight back, understanding what Kody was telling them to do. The same thing happened when a hen would flush. Hens are not legal to shoot, and since the dogs don’t know the difference, they would take off after them just as fast as they do for the drakes. When that happened, just like before, as soon as Kody called them back, they did a 180 and came straight back. They didn’t understand why they had to come back, but they listened to what Kody told them, and followed his commands.
Even More Respect
The retrievers’ ability to make unbelievable retrieves in some of the most difficult situations has never been in question; not by me or any other duck hunter. But their ability to combine that skill with the completely different skill of pointing is one that I never dreamed of them being able to accomplish. But Coteau View Hunts and Labradors allowed me to see first-hand how these top of the line hunting dogs were able to accomplish greater feats than most people, myself included, would imagine.
I have always admired labs and what they bring to duck hunts, but I now have even more respect for them and their abilities. After watching what they did to help us take down these majestic ring-necks, I doubt that there is any limit to what they are capable of!
About the Author : Chris Yielding
Visit authors website | View more articlesChris is a high school teacher in Arkansas, and trains retrievers on the side. He has been training as a side job for nearly a decade, training for clients all across the south. He also enjoys writing articles about training, as well as other outdoor activities. He has been published in many local and regional publications.
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Backwater Cypress Retrievers Facebook page
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