Hunting the Okanogan

[barklee]

Hi Guys,
I am new to hunting the Okanogan and I was wondering if there are any water fowlers on here that hunt around Kelowna?
I have a great lab and it’s her first season. So I would love to go out and get her some experience. Of course her introduction and training is my main concern so I would need to go out with some one that’s not too worried about missing a few ducks if she needs a little extra time etc.
Let me know if you are interested.

[Big Lew]

Have you eased her into being comfortable with the blasts from a shotgun at close range? If you scare the daylights out of her, it can ruin her as a retriever, or at best take a long time for her to get used to it. It's always a risk taking shortcuts to retriever training....if you're lucky she'll be hyped enough on retrieving the downed bird that the sudden blast won't deter her. On the other hand, I have seen several dogs completely cowed and scared by the sudden and totally unexpected blast from a shotgun.

[Stone Sheep Steve]

Okanagan is probably the worst region to be a waterfowler. There are private land opportunities for geese (if you know someone).....but not many places to have consistent duck action.

SSS

[barklee]

She has about 4 months of training with a pro trainer so she has no problems with retrieves or marks. She has finished swim by so she is taking rudimentary casts. She has never been on a duck hunt or goose hunt before so I am just making sure she is introduced correctly. I don’t want to allow her to develop any bad habits.
I was thinking about going up and scouting some of the lakes up in the hills around Kelowna and Penticton to see if I can find any birds moving through.
Has anyone tried hunting any off the lakes around Beaver lake and Oyama lake?
I will be heading up scouting there on Thursday.

[barklee]

Well had a pretty good year of hunting. We only got 2 Geese but with limited out on Ducks 6 times. and had lots off adventures.
Barklee was a champ. She made some pretty impressive retrieves on wounded ducks in the water.
We went on a private pheasant and she put up 34 birds in 2 days off hunting. To bad I can't shot as well as my dog can hunt.
I am going to put up some photo's when I figure out how to upload them.

[monasheemountainman]

Nice man, I'm glad to hear you had a great year! Congrats to you and your dog

[barklee]

http://i924.photobucket.com/albums/ad86/david_brennan1/IMG_4838_zpsb5ddf506.jpg (http://s924.photobucket.com/user/david_brennan1/media/IMG_4838_zpsb5ddf506.jpg.html)

[barklee]

So here is our hunting season mostly.
Hope you enjoy.
http://i924.photobucket.com/albums/ad86/david_brennan1/IMG_4817_zps9f5cfe04.jpg (http://s924.photobucket.com/user/david_brennan1/media/IMG_4817_zps9f5cfe04.jpg.html)
http://i924.photobucket.com/albums/ad86/david_brennan1/IMG_4810_zps5d821abf.jpg (http://s924.photobucket.com/user/david_brennan1/media/IMG_4810_zps5d821abf.jpg.html)
Heading out in the morning
http://i924.photobucket.com/albums/ad86/david_brennan1/IMG_4806_zpsa8908dfa.jpg (http://s924.photobucket.com/user/david_brennan1/media/IMG_4806_zpsa8908dfa.jpg.html)
Barklee's first goose

http://i924.photobucket.com/albums/ad86/david_brennan1/IMG_4644_zpsb1d5c984.jpg (http://s924.photobucket.com/user/david_brennan1/media/IMG_4644_zpsb1d5c984.jpg.html)

[barklee]

And the first Pheasant hunt as promised above
http://i924.photobucket.com/albums/ad86/david_brennan1/DSC02793_zps64aacf5d.jpg (http://s924.photobucket.com/user/david_brennan1/media/DSC02793_zps64aacf5d.jpg.html)
http://i924.photobucket.com/albums/ad86/david_brennan1/photo3_zps1b6aca89.jpg (http://s924.photobucket.com/user/david_brennan1/media/photo3_zps1b6aca89.jpg.html)
http://i924.photobucket.com/albums/ad86/david_brennan1/DSC02792_zps08027507.jpg (http://s924.photobucket.com/user/david_brennan1/media/DSC02792_zps08027507.jpg.html)
http://i924.photobucket.com/albums/ad86/david_brennan1/DSC02791_zpsb12d7bb4.jpg (http://s924.photobucket.com/user/david_brennan1/media/DSC02791_zpsb12d7bb4.jpg.html)
Can't wait till next year

[barklee]

http://i924.photobucket.com/albums/ad86/david_brennan1/IMG_4639_zpse6f85958.jpg (http://s924.photobucket.com/user/david_brennan1/media/IMG_4639_zpse6f85958.jpg.html)

And one more with my brother.
My first lessor Canadian Goose in Alberta

[deer nut]

Great photos I'm going to have to get into bird hunting, it looks like fun and certainly extends your season!

[barklee]

It's a blast. Nothing like the sound of a flock of birds coming into a decoy set on a quite morning. Then all Hell is unleashed as the shotguns start to bark.
Nothing in the world like it.
Plus they taste good to.

[Sasquatch]

She is a beauty. Looks like you had a pretty good season with her, hope you have many more to follow.

[Foxton Gundogs]

Congrats on a great looking season with what looks to be a great pup. Who has the Spaniel in the one pic if I may ask, always curious about hunting Spaniels.

[835]

lol! looks like you got'er cased!
great pics!

[barklee]

Congrats on a great looking season with what looks to be a great pup. Who has the Spaniel in the one pic if I may ask, always curious about hunting Spaniels.

My friend Rueben's dog. Great little dog. Lots of heart and a great nose.