Upland Bird Dog: Upland Bird Hunting

Table of Contents

Upland Birds

WATERFOWL

		Waterfowl hunters must work quickly before the sun rises on the horizon. They may haul dozens of decoys to their hunting area. They wade in shallow cold water or using a small boat to arrange decoys; pintails over there, mallards and widgeons here. Afterwards, they hide in blinds and await for dawn.
Dawn is a time of great excitement and anticipation for the waterfowl hunters and their hunting dogs. It is a time for ducks and geese to fly, looking to feed and gather with other birds. Dawn also provides great beauty and inner peace that seems to settle within the environment and onesself. This a time for seeing beautiful ducks and geese that fill the sky, knowing that their numbers are up and some are at an all time high. Hunters, through their organizations like Ducks Unlimited are concerned with waterfowl and the wetlands, hoping to ensure that ducks and geese will be here for the next generation and beyond. In Southern California most waterfowl hunting occurs at Wistar Wildlife Refuge or at the many lakes found throughout the region. The Colorado River also provides a great place to find birds. Other locations are the waterfowl clubs found near the Salton Sea. Due to strict rules and regulations these areas give sportsmen an opportunity to hunt waterfowl but also provide birds with sanctuary and food until their return north. The Imperial Valley is the winter home to numerous species of waterfowl. In any given day a hunter's bag may consist of cinnamon and green-wing teal, mallard, redhead, pintail, shoveler, widgeon, gadwall, canvasback and other ducks. Geese such as Canadian, Ross and Snow are also included in the bounty for the luckly hunter.

On the right is a picture of myself hunting at Casa De Los Ganzosa, a local duck club located near the Salton Sea. Shown are pintail and 2 green wing teal. I was duck hunting by invitation of club member, Ben Westlow owner of Westlow Chevrolet in San Diego. Ben is a sportsman that hunts big game as well as fish for game-fish in Mexican waters. Ben owns a black and white Pointer and we often train together.

Membership to Casa De Los Ganzosa is limited to a few members. These members are conservationist, they only hunt a portion of their property, although much of the area is covered with water and has an abundance of plants and feed. They also hunt 3 days a week, Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays.

The result of a successful day of duck hunting (picture on left). The smile says it all. I had a great time and made new friends. I believe one can't do better than that.

However, to have enjoyable hunting experiences like the one above requires tremendous effort on the part of club members. To build, grade, and bring water into the region cost money and time. The job requires a year long effort much like a farmer that tills the land and nervously awaits for the plants to grow. Thus, the club also plants and grows feed for waterfowl. This section is not hunted but provides an area for ducks to feed and rest before moving on. Because hunting areas are sometimes small compared to the hunting areas near the Salton Sea or Wistar, hunters must work together to decoy ducks into their spread before shooting. This is especially true for pintails that like open water. Otherwise, an ill time shot would send the ducks flying into different directions.

Another day with Max retrieving a drake mallard. Who ever said that Pointers can't or don't like to retrieve? Well, they must be misinformed. In the mild winters of the southwest, Pointers do a nice job of retrieving waterfowl. However, in colder climates bird dogs such as the versatile breeds, might be a better choice for the waterfowl hunter.