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.
AS THE TRUCK ROLLED over the bumpy dirt road, somewhere in Idaho’s backcountry, I could feel Jones and Trek, my English setters, spinning in their kennels from the bed of my truck. The feel of a dirt road under the tires evokes a sixth sense in my dogs. It means one thing: We’re going on an adventure. I was on a quest to help my best friend, Natalie, shoot her first wild chukar. She had come from Arkansas to join me in Utah’s rugged mountains many times before to hunt the desert dwelling bird, but as many know, connecting on a flushing wild chukar takes years of practice and a lot of luck. As we made our way into the backcountry, I saw two yellow eyes and a wagging tail…
NOTHING SAYS October like the flush of ruffed grouse from golden aspens. Finding the king of game birds is no easy task, though, as they are well-known for their complex food and shelter preferences. The solution? E-scouting is the most effective way to find these wild birds’ favorite covers. Here is how to find more ruffs for you and your gun dog this October. UTILIZE ACCESS LAYERS By toggling on layers such as Walk-In and Possible Access layers, you’ve just opened up thousands of acres of possible land to hunt. Many states offer walk-in programs—private land opened to the public for hunting—and these can be recognized on the map as plots of land marked with red dots. Additionally, the Possible Access layer is great for grouse hunters who hunt the…
GUNNER HOMESTEAD DOG BED GUNNER’s Homestead Dog Bed fits the brand’s reputation for durability and high-quality products. The fabric cover of the bed is water resistant, antimicrobial, and doesn’t trap heat or odor. The cover can be removed for machine washing and reassembled with ease, while the interior can be hosed off for a deep clean. A low-profile bolstered perimeter allows dogs to curl up or sprawl out as they please, and a carry handle makes it easy to move the bed from your house to bird camp. $300–$400; gunner.com VICTOR SENSITIVE SKIN AND STOMACH Victor’s Sensitive Skin and Stomach line is tailored for dogs who show allergies to common dog food. Their formulas use no chicken, focusing instead on beef, lamb, and salmon, with rice and sweet potatoes and…
Successful trips and heavy loads are what we all hope for when we venture afield, but we want a vest that carries that load well to enable us to hunt day after day without developing hot spots and sores. Here are our favorite vests to keep you in the field and ready to capitalize on the moment your dog goes on point or puts up a wiley rooster. FINAL RISE SUMMIT XT VEST SYSTEM When Final Rise stepped onto the stage, they filled a hole that upland hunters were looking for: A lightweight yet durable vest. The lumbar belt design of Final Rise keeps the weight of the pack on your hips, allowing for easy carry all day. The Summit XT Vest System is modular with incredible versatility and features…
THIS IS AN end-of-the-harvest season kind of recipe. Perhaps you’ve put away some sweet corn in the freezer and have peppers still lingering in the crisper drawer. Maybe you still have upland game birds in the deep freezer from last season. This creamy, slightly spicy chowder is hearty, and when served hot, will warm up your bones after a chilly fall hunt. Perhaps make a whole pot of this at home to bring to bird camp. You’ll be the most popular hunter there. Don’t limit yourself to just quail either. Use whatever upland birds you have on hand, including pheasant, partridge, and grouse. This is a good opportunity to use up odds and ends, or any bird carcasses you may have in the freezer for making stock. If you’re short…
JOHN MOSES BROWNING designed lots of great guns, but perhaps his most remarkable feat was getting American firearms enthusiasts to embrace the more European over/under shotgun design. Browning was finalizing details on his first over/under when he died in 1926, so his son Val finished work on it in 1931. That gun was known as the Superposed, and it single-handedly established the American market for stackbarrels. The Superposed name was changed to Citori when production moved from Belgium to Japan—although the two guns are mechanically quite similar. Over the decades, Citori over/unders have evolved slightly, and the newest iteration—the 825—was announced late last year. The first model that was released was the 825 Field in 12-gauge. The release of the 825 is a bigger deal both for Browning and American…
