If there is one commodity that is most precious, it is time. From the outside, my life looks like I should have all the time in the world. The reality is rarely the same as the outsider’s perspective. You can quote that, and it works well for every aspect of life. Yet, this is not a philosophical post, it’s about really important stuff like turkey hunting and finding shed antlers and dog training… all wrapped up in one.
This is the time of year when deer hunters look for the shed antlers from that huge buck they saw disappear like a spirit back during the season. It is also the time for duck hunters to do something about Fido, who was getting a little unmanageable. Let’s not forget the turkey hunters, who are getting the itch to see how the flock is shaping up and what part of the property they are using. You can do all three in one morning.
Take Fido with you, he needs to work on some obedience, walking at heel, casting back and forth with your hand signals and using his nose. Grab an old deer shed and play fetch with it in the yard for a few days. Give it a name. I don’t care what you call it, but tell him to find the shed every time you throw it… and throw it a lot of times. When you hit the woods, tell him to find the shed. A little work and Fido will be a shed-finding machine!
While Fido hunts sheds, be on the lookout for turkey feathers and scratching in the leaves from foraging birds. Use binoculars to search the edges of fields. Don’t let Fido just run wild, keep him working close and controlled, occasionally call him back and make him sit and stay a while. This should be a great time to practice stalking a little together. Every dog needs to learn to stalk with their master. Don’t push turkeys if you know they are there, and by all means, don’t let Fido chase them. If that is a concern, teaching your dog to stop and come when called should be first priority before you take him to your turkey hunting land.
If executed with a little planning and training, you will likely come home with a good idea of where the turkeys are, a few sheds telling you who made it through the season alive and a dog that is happy and tired from a good workout.
If you can cram all this into one morning, think of the all the time you’ll have left for the work and domestic duties you’ve been shirking since early October. A quick side note to waterfowlers: now is the time to build and set up wood duck boxes.
By Tim Rupard
Tim Rupard is the owner and call maker for Rais~A~Ruckus Game Calls. He and his prostaff can be found in instructional videos on YouTube by searching Raisaruckus. Or visit www.raisaruckus.com to view and purchase custom, handmade calls.