Oscar hunting life in pictures

[Discoverer]

I am starting a new thread where periodically will post pictures of my golden retriever Oscar from our hunting adventures.
He's just over a year old and this year is his first hunting season. I have a 30+ years gap in my hunting career too, so we both in training started all over together
Oscar got his first duck about two weeks ago. I set the dekes, hid at the blind at Pitt Marsh and kept on calling ducks.

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-fGIthqLVxAU/UHH1YstCSUI/AAAAAAAACME/Jpvak7gkJDA/s640/015.JPG?gl=CA

Three ducks tried to land, I shot - one came down. Oscar was shaking from impatience but still sit until I sent him out - "Back!"

He got a little confused at first with decoys and was trying to grab a plastic one, but quickly figured things out and went straight to the duck

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Z-WTIpzVl1U/UHH16n9wjjI/AAAAAAAACMo/TEUgLHoXA8Y/s640/019.JPG?gl=CA


swum back with priceless trophy, but double check the decoy to make sure it didn't come alive

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-WBqlxWrConY/UHH2UYZ-0eI/AAAAAAAACNQ/gykbGeC6YPA/s640/024.JPG?gl=CA

and successfully brought duck to shore

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-C-7NC1KMYgE/UHH3n2PZwZI/AAAAAAAACNo/sPxlFm_Vjds/s640/026.JPG?gl=CA

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-QbXCLZiHaDI/UHH4DKHmX_I/AAAAAAAACN4/9uLTvR8g9eQ/s640/032.JPG?gl=CA

It will be tons more birds in Oscar hunting life, but the first one is a very special.

[Glenny]

Way to go Osc.

[pnbrock]

nice looking dog ,is that blind in the pitt polder?lol

[Angus]

Nice work Oscar. You'll always remember your first.

And damn, that blind looks awfully familiar!:mrgreen:

[yamadirt 426]

Nice Oscar ! Look forward to the reports. Local dog ? Self trained ?

[Foxton Gundogs]

Great stuff you gotta love them goldens

[Discoverer]

nice looking dog ,is that blind in the pitt polder?lol

Close to it :)

[Discoverer]

Nice work Oscar. You'll always remember your first.

And damn, that blind looks awfully familiar!:mrgreen:

You probably saw it on my other pictures :-D

[Discoverer]

Nice Oscar ! Look forward to the reports. Local dog ? Self trained ?

He came from Bellingham and yes I train him myself.

[Discoverer]

We went few more times to Pitt Marsh, here and there got a few coots and teals, but couple times went home empty handed. like yesterday :( Actually the miserable weather on Saturday supposed to be great for ducks, but we didn't bag any. So today the friend of mine invited us to his "duck's Haven" and that's what we came home with in two hours:

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-tQr8sZ8JG4w/UI2kbE1a8-I/AAAAAAAACUE/nVkz7JfFQj4/s720/035.JPG

Oscar did a great job retrieving from the water, but struggled a bit with a cripple on land. We are working on it ...

[Discoverer]

More pictures from yesterday

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-0OkoBO5Y7WA/UI2WKEjunXI/AAAAAAAACSk/pdnDccPPdpM/s640/006.JPG

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qKcTzrr0Q7I/UI2Y4JC5o-I/AAAAAAAACT0/19zlmFLFpO8/s640/083.JPG

[yamadirt 426]

He looks beautyful with the teal in his mouth. What's with the tag on his head in the boat pic ?

[Discoverer]

What's with the tag on his head in the boat pic ?

It's a stuck out collar's strap :)

[Discoverer]

A few more ducks in Oscar's collection from the last weekends hunting:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4PouBpu1JSI/UJ6UxhiKdqI/AAAAAAAACVI/7E-8WuTWars/s912/014.JPG

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cctbmwEPkuM/UJ6UHaInhCI/AAAAAAAACUw/id9AhkfxOfY/s912/002.JPG

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-blhTrppth4M/UJ6WCyZhfoI/AAAAAAAACVo/9J1RJ2as07o/s912/020.JPG

[Glenny]

Looks like a seasoned vet already.

[Discoverer]

We went with skyhawk this morning and limited out in less than 2 hours. Oscar did a great job retrieving them, however couple times he broke the sit right after the shot and took off on his own. He was too excited to go after the dropped duck, so I didn't correct him. Next time I will restrain him to make sure he doesn't develop the bad habit.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-A5rorSHtBJE/UK6HWuISzUI/AAAAAAAACao/EWaoWGeEGqU/s912/013.JPG

[Discoverer]

The tidal water was really high this morning. I was waist height in the water in my waders and had the hard time to find anything for Oscar to stand on. Finally found the floating log big enough to fit him, but it was a challenge as log was rolling with any dog's movement and he kept falling from it, but Oscar quickly figured out if he's stay still, he will be out of the freezing water. I shot few ducks and Oscar swum out and brought them back in a professional manner. There were long retrieves, at least 60-70 yards and after three long swims in a row he started shivering and barely could catch his breath, so back on a rolling log to keep him out of the water.
When sun raised couple swans landed about 300 yards from us, they were absolutely gorgeous!

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Bmjf_p-qE6Y/UOCngQjuhlI/AAAAAAAACxU/njt9NDjJ8kE/s640/003.JPG

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-m6c6r18Bqts/UOCoZVIBIsI/AAAAAAAACx0/52u1qkS1LMs/s640/009.JPG

When water fallen about 2 feet down the log finally touched
the ground and stopped rolling

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-AEn1iSI1IKQ/UOCn83g0C9I/AAAAAAAACxc/IMYzCehiN8Q/s640/006.JPG

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-G4OGy60Y51Q/UOCoJu1PFMI/AAAAAAAACxo/9McWBnJNWVY/s640/008.JPG

Oscar is getting better and better with every hunt. What a great hunting companion!

[labguy]

Really nice photos..................looks like Oscar is having a good life. Quality days are what it's all about and that looks like a quality day.

[Kasomor]

Oscar sure has come along way! Awesome!! :-D

[Discoverer]

Today was the last day for hunting geese, so we went out to get a chance. There weren't many birds in the sky, but we managed to get one teal and a nice Canadian goose. Thank you skyhawk for taking the pictures

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-hcqC84MabdY/UOph40Zw2NI/AAAAAAAAC04/wqGqbqLIP10/s912/002.JPG


https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-GlWnKAqYJJY/UOnvhQOxpOI/AAAAAAAAC0s/aa-U4owWv54/s912/005.JPG

[BlacktailStalker]

One of the sharpest looking goldens I have ever seen, looks like fun.

[BCHunterTV]

some great pictures, makes me miss my water-fowling days

[Discoverer]

Today probably was the last duck hunting of the season, as it would be very difficult for me to come out before the 18th due to work load.
It was chili morning with frost on a grass and ice on a water. There was enough birds in the sky and we left field in two hours with 8 mallards, various teals and wigeons. One was stolen by hawk! :mad: I shot a duck and saw it was hit, but believe it or not that thing still flying about 100 yards away and than fell down. The hawk went right after, so there wasn't a chance to recover it.
Below are pictures of Oscar with me, skyhawk, yamadirt 426 and his dog who we met at boat launch.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-kG4z8yZAGV8/UPHEUs_wtgI/AAAAAAAAC1o/eCNxGZmFdy4/s912/006.JPG

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Jv388jy-3V4/UPHEwy-jXTI/AAAAAAAAC14/H7OVOpJASDE/s912/013.JPG

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-3qPuyrx_R8w/UPHEiI9zHMI/AAAAAAAAC1w/RDoGxKCrTwI/s912/009.JPG

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-RN5eVEE3Y-g/UPHDaZ1VjFI/AAAAAAAAC1Q/DHy_YD6DLYg/s912/002.JPG

[Discoverer]

It was hard to resist temptation to go out once more before the end of the season, so we did ! :mrgreen: It wasn't nearly as good as on weekend, but still got few,

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Dp-yLvXuHos/UPeM_pcuE0I/AAAAAAAAC38/C_Vmyz0H4do/s912/031.JPG

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-JzVJEBG9soM/UPeOMaxUHbI/AAAAAAAAC4I/hc_ppJbO7lw/s912/033.JPG

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-IHVXNZLC-bk/UPePfzs6BpI/AAAAAAAAC4c/aR_goIcUPb4/s912/018.JPG

and a short video of Oscar retrieving the duck:

http://youtu.be/dxxScCccscw

[pnbrock]

good looking dog ,had one years ago but he was a bit of an eater.in fact he wanted to eat everything he retrieved.

[yamadirt 426]

The last kick at the can . Nice work, I like the videos. Congrats on a great first season

[Angus]

Good stuff Andrei! Looks like Oscar is turning into a great hunting companion.

[Discoverer]

good looking dog ,had one years ago but he was a bit of an eater.in fact he wanted to eat everything he retrieved.

What breed was your dog?

[Foxton Gundogs]

Nice congrats on a good season

[Discoverer]

I compiled some Oscar's field photos since he was 10 weeks old up until last hunting day of the winter season.
Enjoy!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qg95EXx2Vs4

[Mishka]

He's such a handsome dog! Great hunting buddy. Thanks for sharing.

[Discoverer]

Last night I walked Oscar off leash at our park and noted nobody on trail except us. In half hour or so we came across this sign:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-v9gVdS8k_2c/Uadrt1vYPdI/AAAAAAAADOc/CxnjI43E_9g/s720/001.JPG

Oh, oh ... we turned back and went home checking back and up every 20-30 seconds ...

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-qdwyVzLTMmQ/Uadr5WzxI2I/AAAAAAAADOk/alPPaPN8Pa0/s720/003.JPG
When got home I checked the news and it appeared there is a bold cougar in our area that forced officials to close a whole park.

Next morning at around 6am I heard some sound in our backyard, then saw just a shadow of some animal faded in bushes and a few moments later two guys with guns and hounds run across my backyard.
We don't have fence so practically live right in the forest and that's what they been after:

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-qZST2w0AH6E/UaeN4UZv5vI/AAAAAAAADPU/KzPxpTETdZo/s668/cougarpic-668x501.jpg

Picture taken by neighbor, it's about three meters from our entry door.

At around 8.15am I heard two gun shots, went to check out - the cougar was killed ...

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-M8ygr52spOc/UaeSPU0JdRI/AAAAAAAADPg/c33YaTLKAEM/s620/8455893.jpg

Conservation officers said they had no option but to shoot the cougar because they feared it would return if relocated, and because it showed no fear of human interaction after repeated sightings, including some in nearby backyards. They said the cougar may have a sibling in the area ...

[edgy]

wow, thats a little too close to home for you :)

[yamadirt 426]

Looks like a small cat. Oscar could take him. But I`m glad he didnt have to try

[Discoverer]

Waiting is over and goose hunt is officially on!!! Below are couple pictures from today's opener. We managed to bag 9 beautiful geese this morning.

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-07WomKntKuw/UiuVMi8QO0I/AAAAAAAADoo/p2h8AdEOUrM/s912/004.JPG?gl=CA

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-79y1EADiiwk/UiuVY48zlvI/AAAAAAAADoY/CXZ9bLaHnM4/s912/006.JPG

[yamadirt 426]

Good job boys. Nothing for us today. Seen a few around, though we were not in the right spot. My dog has yet to touch one. Cheers

[Discoverer]

We went with Oscar and couple buddies for a hunt today. There is still not too many ducks around, but we got few nice mallards. Hopefully with recent temperature drop and snowing at north the migratory start coming.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MOkJaY6MfJ4/UncS5b36_8I/AAAAAAAADxk/SEMkWcSwnyQ/s800/043.JPG

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UWbEPNhUBOo/UncRaGmvPSI/AAAAAAAADw0/pEX8xCcHu2g/s800/030.JPG

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-KY8ah7f2bes/UncSW9aNbBI/AAAAAAAADxM/dYg8_3zUeC0/s800/039.JPG

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-ye6X_8qDo6Q/UncSonrrYJI/AAAAAAAADxc/Ku97GLJS58k/s800/041.JPG

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-VcPxypOa2EM/UncTdUTszxI/AAAAAAAADyE/lKlhS5XC2Ok/s800/059.JPG

[wildnfree]

Awesome looking dog you got there. Great pictures, looks like you two are having fun............... keep it up.

[Discoverer]

First of all with a great pleasure I would like to announce my loyal hunting partner, Oscar (Chuckanut Academy Award), has become a new Canadian Champion! He finished with an impressive 5 point win at the “Elsie Murray All Breed Conformation Show". On November 23, 2013, Oscar defeated 17 (!!!) dogs, claiming his Champion title.


http://www.grcbc.org/i/Oscar2520Champ.jpg
As we were busy with waterfowl hunting this fall, I haven't had the chance to train him in conformation, but I guess the genes from his famous grandfather kicked in as he looked so natural and regal in the ring. Well done buddy, I am so proud of you!
But we both enjoy duck hunting much more than the showing, so he couldn't wait to go back in the field. Last weekend we went with skyhawk and what a great day that was!
It started a bit slow, not so many ducks flying before sunrise, but then they started to come in huge waves. Oscar did an amazing job retrieving ducks. Few retrieves were over 100 meters long and he was swimming fast through the icy water and brought them all back.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jF_peEz1zF8/UrYlmhcSLPI/AAAAAAAAD-k/ey55FUrmMeg/s912/012.JPG

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CzhR3MKOMjY/UrYl2XT7AqI/AAAAAAAAD-0/WbZrzVNN_0I/s912/023.JPG
He was shivering, but willing to get more.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-t8yz3J_ASx4/UrYmh9ouKdI/AAAAAAAAD_U/4wQOKH3D5m4/s912/028.JPG

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Pco1ZSb36Jo/UrYogLzTaEI/AAAAAAAAEAs/ilxmLe0D8So/s912/047.JPG
We limited out in 2 hours. What a great hunt today!

[FirePower]

Nice to see a bench dog that works for a living

[Discoverer]

There is a happiness at the back of my truck :)

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xCukJDK1KT4/U40kPGfxoVI/AAAAAAAAELM/gJzuA9gXVvo/s1024/031.JPG

[xfactor]

Great picture!!! Cute little girl..she's going to be a heart breaker:)

Oh and the pup's good looking as well!

[tadpole]

two happy blondes

[albravo2]

Great thread. Very motivating.

[Discoverer]

Dropped one honker on the opener.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DOHiAQELN2I/VAzGCreAXCI/AAAAAAAAEXM/gUs9FhzADiA/s640/009.JPG

[Discoverer]

The waiting is over and the duck hunting is officially opened! We went on weekend and Oscar did a great job retrieving all ducks. He was so excited so couple times he started to run without command and I didn't even have a leash with me to restrain him as usually he doesn't need one. I will bring the leash next time so he doesn't develop the bad habit.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-eQl34d1mR-g/VDr_1RkTPGI/AAAAAAAAEbk/yEj0-ww241Y/s1024/005.JPG

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-jDLJ97D8_Ic/VDsANOFFCDI/AAAAAAAAEb0/8oz5xvCTDwY/s1024/008.JPG

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-3aTIIS__lQs/VDsAhcVMgyI/AAAAAAAAEcE/X01v_29QW8g/s1024/015.JPG

[Discoverer]

After few weeks of heavy rain most of the fields are flooded now .We went out today morning and limited out in less than two hours.
Got one honker too.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-nj9BWjBHeXo/VF5pwbyhnKI/AAAAAAAAEf0/wIIvuPiXvXE/s640/010.JPG

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-57Ze5xtMh88/VF5rEOdzxeI/AAAAAAAAEg8/IvXp8wuvJuo/s640/023.JPG

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-1hhctemls-o/VF5sEi9X-YI/AAAAAAAAEhk/XbBMwonz4Ps/s640/037.JPG

[Discoverer]

We went again to the same field and just in two days the field is almost dry off. We found a small pond where were able to set the decs. Much less ducks this time, got only 5. One retrieve was very difficult, as I didn't see exactly where the bird landed and kept sending Oscar to high reeds, but in wrong direction. Finally let him do his job and he brought the bird to my hand. I should rely more on his nose than on my eyes :)

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-DUSAXHqRESQ/VGFT2J-WS5I/AAAAAAAAEi0/0l0cE0gxrx8/s1024/006.JPG

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-ZshKzvRjGlA/VGFUHllQTdI/AAAAAAAAEi8/8b5y3JZeN90/s1024/012.JPG

[835]

The pic of the girl and the dog... lol... i had to look but the dogs hair and the girls sorta blended and looked a bit funny for a moment!
Great pic!

[Discoverer]

The pic of the girl and the dog... lol... i had to look but the dogs hair and the girls sorta blended and looked a bit funny for a moment!
Great pic!

The picture below snapped more than three years ago and I still like it very much. Pure love from both sides ...

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-g_vyuvBqwDU/Tpoz8oTO8FI/AAAAAAAAEU8/MoA3Q0YYc0w/s1152/158.JPG

[835]

lol...
Squint!!!

Kids and dogs,,, and dogs and kids!

[Discoverer]

We managed to bag 6 big and fat mallards for the duck's opening.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9x9KPGv9NcQ/VhmZl4rRSCI/AAAAAAAAFO4/6mbnCBlDfoA/s1024-Ic42/002.JPG

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SMfz0Vu4MTE/VhmZ3UbgHoI/AAAAAAAAFPQ/4PouSNq3t84/s1024-Ic42/006.JPG

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SqR9pc5JteY/VhmaJb94keI/AAAAAAAAFPg/JAg7qTwx8lA/s1024-Ic42/010.JPG

[Sofa King]

awesome dog.
he looks like he takes his job serious.
way to go, Oscar.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9x9KPGv9NcQ/VhmZl4rRSCI/AAAAAAAAFO4/6mbnCBlDfoA/s1024-Ic42/002.JPG

[yamadirt 426]

Well done !
I heard the marsh was tough hunting on the opener. How did your boat perform with the new camo job ?

[Discoverer]

Well done !
I heard the marsh was tough hunting on the opener. How did your boat perform with the new camo job ?

I am not sure if you've seen the other thread about the blind I built on my boat and it works very well :)

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-oxMT8M9Sugg/VfZbCVPlnlI/AAAAAAAAXL4/NmOmZmILBx8/s640-Ic42/IMG_20150913_154612.jpg

[yamadirt 426]

Yes I was following it. and was looking forward to hearing the first report. Im happy its working well for you after the effort you put in. Ill see you out there

[Discoverer]

Lots of rain for the last couple of weeks, so we went to try our luck on the fields, which I hoped were flooded by now. They weren't, so I set my decoys right into grass. There were enough ducks, I limited out in less than two hours. shot 5 birds in the first half an hour and it took another hour or so for the remaining 3.
Oscar did a great job retrieving the ducks.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dE85MDtDHK0/Vjvp6cC_hzI/AAAAAAAAFRo/l4G6aEV0Z6c/s800-Ic42/IMG_20151105_084709.jpg

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-AhjWNNFRA3I/VjvqGVBw-6I/AAAAAAAAFR4/x_nDv-9SkfA/s800-Ic42/IMG_20151105_084719.jpg

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--M6bh0J8ySM/VjvqJFMb9hI/AAAAAAAAFSA/JTHdghPA5j4/s800-Ic42/IMG_20151105_084721.jpg

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qGVseNdqvfQ/VjvqoSHqJzI/AAAAAAAAFSY/QclZasAsVA0/s800-Ic42/IMG_20151105_085239.jpg

[Kasomor]

good boy oscar

:-)

[Discoverer]

After the heavy rainfall last week the fields finally got flooded. And now lots of ducks out there. We had 2 men's limit on Sunday with a good variety of the species: mallards, teals, wigeons, pintalls and my first ever wood duck.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-OQKWDRtE1lI/VkkHcBulqKI/AAAAAAAAFUs/F1wYiFw32HM/s640-Ic42/IMG_20151115_095638.jpg

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0hD7LtAR740/VkkHvcwXI1I/AAAAAAAAFU8/8D1eJHJHwak/s640-Ic42/IMG_20151115_101142.jpg

[argyle1]

wow what a dog!!! You don't get many like that in a lifetime

[Leaseman]

Thanks for posting...sure enjoyed following him and you for the last few years!!

[Busterbrown]

Well done Andre .. he has come a long way since I saw him last... nothing like hunting birds over a great dog