A man with his Blaser and his Bavarian Bloodhound. Perfect! Darn nice bucks too, Montero. I can only dream of bucks like that Weidmannsheil!
- mike

Nice trophy! Did you train the dog yourself? Did you have to use meat/blood to create trails etc?

thank you very much, gentlemen.

yes, I did train Polka myself. I have never been an expert in training dogs but I read a couple of good books on the subject and had some long conversations with a good friend who is, before starting.

I used my common sense and always worked with her in a gentle but firm manner. I understood that training her personally would help us understand each other and establish a strong affective link which would help our work together.

I have worked her a lot on tracks made with a piece of roe skin wetted with roe blood. I mixed the blood with a product a chemist gave me to prevent it from solidifying and froze it in small bottles which I used one at a time.

We never stop learning from each other but I had her more or less ready in one year of work. In that year I took her stalking with me every time I went out and I could only shoot I buck in the whole season as it would be very difficult for her to stay still and they were eventually spooked.

The other day it was really funny because I took a good friend stalking and we managed to get to 50 meters of a good buck, the morning breeze in our noses. My frien lyed down to shoot but lost sight of the buck because of the high grass and kept on struggling to find it on his scope for one very looong minute or so.

Polka could not resist it any more as seeing him point the rifle she was in serious business mood and started biting his boot. My friend was so nervous that he didn't even notice.

She finally made a small noise and the buck left.

I obviously reprehended her, but it was funny.

montero

montero,
Very nice deer, I am envious ! Nothing like a great day with a good dog, a fine rifle, and fresh meat on the ground. Our seasons doesn't start for another 4 months so, for now, I'll enjoy your success .-JDL