duck hunting reports

Is it still legal or ethical to do what my Grandfather used to do with “hunting” dogs that were gun shy?

My Dad told me that when he was a kid, when they had a litter of new hunting pups that when they old enough to be taken out into the field the first time (I would guess around a year old) that any of them that weren’t good gun dogs (i.e. they flinched or were scared of the gun report) never came back home…meaning Grandpa shot them and left them in the field…guess he was protecting the bloodlines plus had no need for a dog that wasn’t a good hunting dog. FYI my Dad grew up on a farm in Ohio. He is definitely old school which after hearing that story I can see why. Me and my son have a new Lab puppy (8 months 55lbs) that we plan to duck hunt with starting next season (next fall)…don’t worry I already know he is a good gun dog, we fired the 12 gauge with him a few weeks ago and he could have cared less…just curious what you people think about the whole dog not coming back if he is gun shy deal…late

It is still common for people that use the dogs for various work that is actually contributing to their livelihood. Someone that is a hunter and trapper is not about to feed a dog that won’t hunt….and in some areas, a shelter is just not an option. I’ve met plenty of people who survive on what they hunt…both for meat and hides. Most are also breeders of some of the finest cattle dogs and hunting dogs in the country. If they don’t work…they don’t live. It’s a simple matter of mathematics for them…they’ve always done it that way. One thing they may have is pride in what they produce…so no dog that is sub-standard is tolerated. We have several clients that are wealthy ranch owners….a large percentage own dogs from these people.

Duck Hunting : Mallard Hunt in Alberta