When I got Ataika from Kazakhstan years ago her people insisted that a good tazi would also work as a bird dog to the gun, and wouldn't need much training. Atai has always worked as a hare courser and a falcon's partner (see last weekend's post) and during the one month she was taken out with a shortwing (a Harris) instantly adjusted her range and behavior to that too-- I'll put a photo below, at the end, as a reminder.
But starting in her second year and noticing her instant adaptation to whatever was going on, I began to take her out with the gun, exhorting her only to "hunt close" She like most of her kind was already a natural retriever. I shot a few rabbits and birds, and with no further ado she became as good a bird dog as my spaniels were, and as most of my friends' labs (barring water-- a certain desert fastidiousness still prevails there!) She hunts in shotgun range, checks cover, flash points and flags, usually-- she uses her good judgment whether it is necessary-- only chases birds after the shot.
She will be seven this year and I rather take this all for granted, but I sometimes get the feeling bird dog friends are a shade skeptical. This weekend, pursuing an article, I wanted to take out the four pound English .410 "one- hand" gun that has been hanging around on- spec for months. Photo op!
Unfortunately the Government trapper was in action on our preferred ranch coverts, so I went to a heavily hunted place and came up dry. But I think her style will leave little to doubt.
Heading out:
Closing up as we enter cover:
Checking carefully:
Coming in; no treat even needed:
And the gun-- yeah, this one:
Detail:
And one of Atai with the Harris a couple of seasons back-- something I may now try with my own HH.
I should add: in none of these photos am I giving orders, telling her to heel, saying "hunt close" even. She is far past my commanding her to do anything but come in at the end of the day-- then, she can be a little reluctant IF we haven't caught anything! Otherwise a simple "Good girl Taik" suffices.
