Sep 15, 2022
Bailey Petersen helps facilitate Minnesota's woodcock banding program, which enlists the help of volunteer dog handlers. Dogs have to pass a control test before they're approved to join. We talk about steadiness in a bird dog, protective vests, and breeds - from Münsterländers to Llewellin setters. Plus: Grouse hunting in Minnesota... what to look for and what differentiates grouse habitat from woodcock habitat.
1:30 A little woodcock 'splash' for your sniffing pleasure, everyone
3:30 Harvesting wild rice... it involves a 'ricing buddy', a canoe, and tools called 'knockers'
7:00 Agencies working hand-in-hand with non-profits on habitat restoration
10:00 When a professional interest in healthy lakes leads you to appreciate waterfowl in a new way
11:00 Small Münsterländer; Llewellin Setter
13:00 Finding 'your' dog breed
15:00 Skijoring with your dogs
22:00 Minnesota's woodcock banding program
24:00 Recruiting new human/dog woodcock-banding teams
28:00 Testing dogs: It's about steadiness and control
32:00 The 2-week banding season overlaps with hatching
34:00 Finding a nest is an exercise in extreme caution
38:00 Steadiness training... start with "whoa," then add a temptation
43:00 Band return rates on woodcock are 11%, which isn't too bad
45:00 "If you have a cooperative dog, then it's really just an exercise of repetition."
46:00 Grouse hunting Minnesota, a pep talk
47:00 Hunter walking trails on OnX
50:00 Woodcock cover vs. grouse cover... "It becomes grouse cover after it's been prime woodcock cover."
52:00 For grouse, look for fruiting shrubs (chokecherries, highbush cranberries, hazel, birch)
58:00 Protective dog vests
1:05 Seeds embedded in dogs... #problems