Gun Dog Magazine is the best magazine for hunting enthusiasts who are owners of retrieving breeds. Each issue is guaranteed to be filled with useful information devoted to you, your dog and the sport of upland bird and waterfowl hunters.
WHEN THE FIRST of September hits, it’s like there is an extra spark in the air. Don’t get me wrong—the summer months are great. It’s a time to reset mentally, work on new skills—or refine old—with your bird dog, and spend time with friends and family. But when August comes to an end, it’s go-time. Early mornings in the uplands to beat the heat come with a serene solitude unmatched by anything. In the silence, the busy sounds of summer fade away and are replaced with the noises of nature waking up—songbirds singing at first light, and wind rustling the dew-covered foliage. If you’re really lucky, you’ll hear the drumming of a grouse cut the silence, the noise reverberating in your chest; or the wing beats of a sharptail beating…
A XIL GS EXTREME 2.0 Hearing protection isn’t often thought of when hunting—but it should be. Not only can it save your ear drums from abuse, but it can also enhance them. The GS Extreme 2.0 from AXIL shuts out sounds that exceed 85 DB while also enhancing the sounds of nature to help you hear the flush. Switch between hearing enhancement and protection mode to Bluetooth Audio Mode—or use both at the same time. Best part: Each mode features independent volume controls. $200; goaxil.com DT SYSTEMS D.O.G. DIRECTOR 700 The new lightweight and waterproof D.O.G. e-collar from DT Systems features a 700-yard range thanks to their MAXX-Range 360 system. This allows for a complete 360-degree signal reception in all terrain types to quickly locate your dog on point. A…
ORVIS PRO SERIES The PRO Series vest from Orvis is a great solution for any hunter who needs to carry a lot of gear and game. Storage space is ample with a large game bag and large side mesh pockets for gear or water for you and your gun dog. If you are heading to the chukar hills, the PRO Series also features a hidden water bladder pocket that accommodates a 1.5 liter lumbar-style bladder. The four-way sternum strap makes for a perfect fit above the hips, giving you the best carry possible on long days in the field. The pockets also feature magnetic buttons, a design we really love—making shell access and preservation easy as can be during this ammo shortage. $200; orvis.com PYKE GEAR WINGMAN BLAZE ORANGE Highly…
THIS RECIPE is a nod to all the marketing emails I receive on dove hunting in Argentina but will probably never get around to going—it’s much cheaper to shoot and miss doves at home. Joking aside, if I ever make it to this South American country, eating an empanada or two would be at the top of my list of things to do. Empanadas are Latin America’s version of the turnover, usually filled with savory ingredients rather than sweet. It was first brought to Central and South America by the Spanish, and today, there are as many versions of the empanada as there are grandmothers in any given region. The version I’m offering is associated with Buenos Aires, the capital and largest city of Argentina. The carne suave empanada is…
RETAY’S TURKISH-MADE semiautos have made a splash in the shotgun market over recent years, and it’s easy to understand why. Few shotguns offer such rock-solid reliability and so many high-end features. The company’s all-new Antalya SS Elegant provides that same refinement and durability with an added touch of style. This upgraded styling begins with an oil/varnish finished Turkish walnut stock. The test gun’s wood featured plenty of figure, with contrasting dark and light patterns that enhanced the overall look. A dense, black microcell polyurethane recoil pad reduces felt recoil and the radiused heel eliminates snagging while mounting the gun. The included shim kit allows the shooter to adjust drop at heel by .59-inches, and cast can also be adjusted. Finger grooves run along the top of the trim, rounded forearm.…
I PREFER simple when it comes to all thing’s dogs. In our house, picking a name can be the exception and a fair amount of thought goes into it. Some dogs are named by result of a democratic process—the family vote—while others are like reputations—they’re earned. I ended my last column with “how I plan to build our little pointing Máquina” and my hope is she lives up to the handle. Máquina is Spanish for “the machine,” and right or wrong—it’s pronounced “Mahkee-nah” by our three-year-old daughter. I first heard Máquina in the Hemingway novel For Whom the Bell Tolls. Used regularly, it was short for “the machine gun” and I thought there was a nice ring to it. I’m also a fan of Gordon MacQuarrie, one of the nation’s…
