The Lazy J

We know that the axiom has been run into the ground, but when it comes to pheasant hunting, there really is no better companion than a well-trained dog. Choosing your hunting dog can obviously involve a lot of personal taste, but there are some other factors to consider as well. For instance, the age-old debate between retrievers and pointers still rages on. It doesn’t have to be a battle, thoughthere are situations for everything.AAA South Dakota Pheasant Hunting states that the Labrador retriever is the dog of choice during pheasant season. These very social and intelligent animals are easy to train and love to be out in the field. They’re also very rugged, able to withstand the shifting weather of the South Dakota fall and winter seasons. In the event that a pheasant has buried within a snow mound, the retriever will dig its way in, flushing the bird out the other end.Besides Labradors, Golden Retrievers and Chesapeake Bay Retrievers are also popular picks. The Chesapeake Bay, in particular, has the ability to withstand low temperatures, and won’t let a little water keep it away from its quarry.Pointers work within a wider range, but are just as single-minded when it comes to tracking down the bird. German Shorthair and Brittany Spaniel breeds are popular picks, and transition well into house pets during the off-season. The thrill of watching a pointer sniff out its prize should be experienced by every pheasant hunter at least once. The “Bird Dog Breeds” page at Pheasants Forever offers an extensive list of all recommended breeds. If you’re still not sure which to go for, experiment with different dogs at lodges, and ask your (human) friends for advice as well.