Hunting Articles

Article

Labrador Retriever

Long before the sun breaks the horizon, the decoys are already rocking in a north wind, and somewhere beside a pair of muddy waders a Labrador Retriever is trembling with purpose. Not from the cold, but from anticipation. He knows what is c.. more ..

By: gundogcentral
Posted: July 5, 2026

Article

Spaniel Bird Dogs

When most hunters think of bird dogs, their minds jump straight to pointers, setters, or retrievers. Yet for generations, spaniels have quietly earned a reputation as some of the most versatile and enjoyable hunting companions in the field... more ..

By: gundogcentral
Posted: June 20, 2026

Article

Leather Gloves : A Tool for bird hunters

With a profound swoosh of wings, the covey flew down the tree line. Most veered off to the left, disappearing through the foliage. Others settled down, close to or just beyond a tangled mess of brush. The dogs quickly retrieved two quail th.. more ..

By: gundogcentral
Posted: May 30, 2026

Article

BIRD HUNTING IN THE FORLOH HOODED “PUFFY” JACKET

The first modern down jacket was invented and patented in the 1930s. It was born out of necessity after a near-fatal outdoor experience with hypothermia. Commonly referred to as a puffy jacket, or simply puffy, is a quilted jacket, typicall.. more ..

By: gundogcentral
Posted: February 28, 2026

Article

Chase Ducks With A Canoe

My waterfowl hunting experience began like that of many other hunters — tagging along
.. more ..

By: gundogcentral
Posted: February 16, 2026

Article

BENCHMADE FLYAWAY KNIFE

Bird hunters need to carry a knife. A good knife. One that is tailored to execute tasks across a myriad of landscapes and environments where gamebirds will be encountered, shot, field dressed, and ultimately cooked and eaten. For wingshoote.. more ..

By: gundogcentral
Posted: December 14, 2025

Article

Changing Cover. Hunting Pheasants in Different Habitats.

Imagine observing roosters run ahead down rows of corn or milo until the birds reach the end of the field and then sneak into an adjoining wetland area, surrounded on one side by a golden field of short-grass prairie with brushy draws. This.. more ..

By: gundogcentral
Posted: December 2, 2025

Article

Best hunting dog breeds for wetland hunting

Waterfowl hunting demands a special kind of dog — one that thrives in cold, muddy conditions, works calmly from a blind, and has the grit to plunge into icy water after a downed bird. Not every hunting breed is built for that challenge, b.. more ..

By: gundogcentral
Posted: November 7, 2025

Article

In Praise of Butterballs

It was a dazzling mid-October day. A set of blocks sat motionless on the lake's glasslike surface, the sun glistening sharply off their ridiculously bright forms. The day had been slow at best; a handful of mallards had given us a few looks.. more ..

By: gundogcentral
Posted: August 10, 2025

Article

Field Armor V2 Waterfowl Vest Review

As waterfowlers and gun dog enthusiasts, we all want what is best for our faithful companions. Our dogs face the severe conditions of freezing cold, sharp debris, and long swims in cold water, all without hesitation. Because of this, we owe.. more ..

By: gundogcentral
Posted: June 30, 2025

Article

Retriever Safety

With a heave, I pulled my foot free of the thick muck, I wondered if another half mile of this was worth the trouble. The edge of this particular beaver pond seemed solid enough, but I had slogged far enough to find out that wasn’t the ca.. more ..

By: gundogcentral
Posted: March 18, 2025

Article

Don’t Lose Your Birds

Almost every bird hunter has experienced the desperate disappointment of losing a downed bird. We all have had to walk away. It is not a good feeling when a bird is lost. Whether using dogs or not, knowing that a bird has been shot and the .. more ..

By: gundogcentral
Posted: December 2, 2024

Article

C-C-C-Cold-Weather Canine Care

Our October and November waterfowl hunts weren’t anything to write about. Air temps north of us hovered between 70-and-82 degrees Fahrenheit, and with all of that open water those birds weren’t in a hurry to go anywhere. A bone-chilling.. more ..

By: gundogcentral
Posted: November 18, 2024

Article

Read Your Dog

Just because a gun dog can’t speak doesn’t mean he’s not saying anything. Reading the dogs’ body language is key for elevating performance levels, so here are some things pro trainers look for when they cut loose their string.

By: gundogcentral
Posted: October 21, 2024

Article

Losing It

Harry Bain had been an all-age for-the-public pointing dog trainer-handler for thirty years. In that role he had lived in south Alabama, trained trial and hunting dog's mid-July through mid-September in North Dakota and traveled the major .. more ..

By: gundogcentral
Posted: October 5, 2024