It’s almost hunting season and you’re excited to get out in the field for your gun dog’s first season. All gun dog owners, myself included, hope their pup will be a hunting machine from the moment they first step foot into the field for a hunt. This is rarely the case. That reality is, your gun dog’s first hunt and first hunting season is a learning experience for both of you. To be fair to both of you, it’s important to set realistic expectations around the first season and first few hunts. As you take your dog out into the field, here are a few key points to keep in mind.
There’s no substitute for an actual hunt.
Perhaps you plan to go out on an early season dove or waterfowl hunt. When you get to this hunt, it may seem like you have a different dog out hunting than what you’ve trained all summer. No matter how much we try to simulate a hunt in training, there’s nothing quite like an actual hunt. The level of excitement, the sights, smells, etc. can take your dog to another level. That’s okay. It’s your job as a handler to keep them under control and safe in these new settings.
Your dog is still learning.
Every hunt is a learning experience for your dog, but the learning curve is steepest during the first few hunts and the first season. There’s a lot to see and experience for them including your own excitement they have to process and regulate. If you’ve hunted with a seasoned and well trained gun dog, they will seem to anticipate whats about to happen, have a great cadence with their handler, and be under control. If you are duck hunting, they’ll watch the sky for birds. Your dog may look to the horizon instead of up into the sky. That’s okay too. It takes time for dogs to learn those skills and hunt effectively. Seasoned dogs are seasoned for a reason. They’ve been through multiple hunting seasons and have learned through various scenarios they’ve encountered in the field.
Be patient and be consistent.
Have realistic expectations for what your gun dog can do based on what you’ve trained. For example, don’t expect your dog to trail a running rooster for a 1/2 mile right out of the gates if they’ve never done it before. The likelihood that your dog will be outsmarted by a cunning rooster is high and that’s okay. Be patient with your dog as they learn the ropes and go through these learning experiences. However, being patient doesn’t mean compromising your training standards in the field. For example, if you are duck hunting and haven’t let your dog break in training, why allow it when you are hunting? Hold your training standards in the field and avoid your dog developing bad habits.
The Wisconsin Waterfowl Association (WWA) has embarked on an ambitious initiative aimed at enhancing and restoring public lands across Wisconsin, particularly those that serve as critical habitat for waterfowl. With Wisconsin home to 1.4 million acres of public land utilized for hunting and recreation, the initiative addresses the urgent need for restoration in areas that have become unproductive.
In 2023, the WWA brought on board two restoration ecologists dedicated exclusively to improving public lands. Their mission is to improve habitat and restore wetlands, ensuring the health of waterfowl populations and enhancing hunting success. The initiative, in partnership with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR), focuses on identifying restorable wetlands and expanding wild rice beds, especially in the state’s ceded territories.
This multi-year partnership has already made significant strides, with over 150 public properties reviewed and several restoration projects planned or underway. The first major project involves restoring 16 acres of wetlands at the Navarino Wildlife Area in Shawano County, with additional projects totaling nearly 225 acres in the planning and design stages at other wildlife areas across the state. Additionally, the initiative has seen success in expanding wild rice beds—a crucial food source for wildlife that has been in decline. In 2023, volunteers collected and seeded 1,730 pounds of wild rice in priority waters.
Wisconsin has lost approximately 50% of it’s wetlands due to drainage, agriculture, development, and incompatible land use practices. These projects aim not only to restore the ecological balance but also to enhance water retention to mitigate flooding, improve groundwater filtration, and reduce erosion.
The funding for these positions comes from various sources, including the Fund for Lake Michigan, the James E. Dutton Foundation, the Wisconsin Bird Fund, and proceeds from the annual Waterfowl Hunters Expo.
Bruce Ross, the Executive Director of WWA, highlighted the organization’s long-standing commitment to habitat conservation. “For 40 years, the WWA has been working to create better habitat, educate and advocate for waterfowl hunters here in Wisconsin. We are excited to expand our efforts to increase habitat for wildlife and provide an even better experience for hunters in Wisconsin.” You can learn more from Bruce on a recent episode of the UpDuck Podcast where he goes in depth on these initiatives, a potential crane hunt in Wisconsin, and many other topics.
The Wisconsin Waterfowl Association is a state-based non-profit conservation organization dedicated to the conservation of Wisconsin’s waterfowl and wetland resources. Since 1984, WWA has worked to restore critical habitat in Wisconsin, educate the next generation of waterfowl hunters, and advocate for policies that protect Wisconsin’s resources and the rights of citizens to hunt.
A sobering picture is emerging of deer hunting in Wisconsin. Between 2005 and 2022, Wisconsin lost about 65,000 hunters. That’s a lot of folks hanging up their camo, and it’s not just the baby boomers – it’s across the board. The Hunter Demographics Project’s Phase 1 report, led by Dan Storm, one of the Wisconsin DNRs Deer Research Scientists, analyzed license sales from 2005 – 2022. The study broke down hunter participation rates by age and gender over time. That data was combined with success rates (among other data) to reveal the findings, and forecast what the implications are for the future of deer hunting in Wisconsin.
The Findings
Between 2005 and 2022, Wisconsin lost 65,000 hunters. On average, that is approximately 3,600 hunters lost per year. However, from 2014 – 2022, Wisconsin lost approximately 51,000 hunters, or about 6,300 hunters per year. Looking at the acceleration of the decline is scary. During this time period, Wisconsin put policies in place to increase hunter numbers – from allowing crossbows to legalizing blaze pink – and it has not had any effect on hunter decline.
When breaking down the numbers further, the study highlights the decrease in participation across all age ranges. For example, hunter participation for boys fell from approximately 27% in 2005 to about 15% in 2022. 40 year old males had a 30% participation rate in 2005 that fell to 20% in 2022. 50 year old males had a 28% participation rate in 2005, and that number fell to 21% in 2022. While baby boomers are aging out of hunting, the numbers illustrate that hunter decline is taking place across all generations.
The Reasons
What is causing the decline in Wisconsin deer hunters? That’s the first question that came to my mind as I saw the numbers in the study. I first thought of baby boomers before seeing details of the study. Unfortunately, there likely isn’t one specific item as the causes are multifaceted. Hypothetically, some of the issues can be attributed to access limitations, additional entertainment options, and a shift in hunting culture. Some of the limitations include a greater difficulty getting access to private land and increased public land competition. Both of these items put more strain on hunters trying to find quality hunting opportunities and to fill their tag.
Additionally, society has changed since 2005. There are more competing priorities, and more entertainment options than there were 20 – 30 years ago. Travel sports have exploded in popularity. The global youth sports market was valued at $37.5B in 2022 and is forecasted to grow to $69.4B by 2030. Smart phones have enabled an “instant feedback” society. Sitting in the woods waiting for deer to show up is the opposite of instant feedback. When we look at the decline in hunter participation for boys and middle aged males, for example, there’s a likely a correlation between the two as middle aged fathers aren’t hunting as much. As a result, boys are not being taken hunting at the same rate they were 20 years ago. That results in less young hunters being introduced to the sport and a greater decline in hunter participation numbers.
How much has social media and the shift in hunting culture influenced the decline? We’ve shifted from a society that celebrated harvesting deer to celebrating harvesting big deer. Over the last 20 years in Wisconsin, deer habitat has changed population centers and deer densities across the state. Has that limited the availability of quality hunting opportunities for certain hunters? If there are fewer quality hunting opportunities to harvest big deer, theoretically, hunters could be more likely to hang up their camo.
As we look toward the future, Storm and his team – Christine Anhalt-Depies, Adam Mohr, Meghan Henry, and Beth Wojcik – are looking to take the study further to look at the findings on a finer geographic scale. Their goal is to see if the decline is more pronounced in certain geographic areas, and to examine the per capita harvest. They are looking to better understand the mechanisms of hunter decline and per capita harvest. The more we can understand the finer points of hunter decline, the better chance we, as a hunting community, can work to combat them.
What does this mean?
While we celebrate the tradition of hunting, individual hunter goals vary; yet, the goal of any state hunting program is to manage a population. In this case, the Wisconsin DNRs job is to manage the deer population via hunter harvest. While deer densities differ across the state, including areas in Northern Wisconsin that have low deer densities, there are a number of areas where there’s an overabundance of deer. According to Storm, our ability to manage the deer herd is already on shake ground with current hunter numbers.
The historical harvest levels of deer in Wisconsin is approximately 350,000. In 2022, the antlerless deer harvested per hunter was .31. If hunter numbers continue their current pace of decline, there would need to be a substantial increase in the number of anterless deer harvested to keep pace with historical harvest levels, and to manage the population accordingly. If hunters can’t manage the deer population across the state, who steps in?
Stepping back further, less hunters means less revenue to manage natural resources. It also means less political power and a potential loss of control of deer management. As hunters, this potential issue could have massive long term ripple effects on our hunting rights. Unfortunately, the decline in hunter numbers is not localized to Wisconsin either. As noted in the study, Pennsylvania and Virginia have also seen declines in hunter participation.
What can we do as a hunting community?
Right now, we do not have a scalable solution to combat the current pace of hunter decline, and as a community, we are constantly under attack from anti-hunters. What we do to combat the anti-hunting message and influence the general public is important. One idea to influence the general public is to demonstrate the value of hunting to society. We talk about conservation, and we know the amount of conservation dollars funded by hunters via the Pittman-Robertson Act; yet, we need to show and demonstrate that hunting is conservation by achieving management goals, protecting rare plant species, and demonstrating the effects of better land management.
Another great idea is venison diplomacy. One of the many traditions I was taught as a young hunter was sharing in the harvest. While we often share venison with our fellow hunters, what if we shared it with our non-hunting neighbors and friends? There’s an old saying that goes “the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.” I have met very few people who dislike a quality venison stick or venison brat. It’s a small gesture, but one that can go a long ways.
Are those the only answers to improving the perception of hunting? Absolutely not. There are others and we’ll continue to address this issue as a hunting community. Do we have scalable answers to the decline hunter participation? Nope. The only thing we can control is our actions, our decisions to participate, the way we treat other hunters, and the way we treat non-hunters. As the stoic Zeno said, “Well-being is realized by small steps.” If we all take small steps together as a community, we can make a difference.
I was introduced to firearms at an early age. My Christmas present as a nine year old was a youth .22 long rifle. I shot my first pheasant at 10 years old on a game farm. I grew up in a culture of handling guns of all different calibers – from shotguns to rifles. From sighting in our rifles for deer season to shooting five stand, my family always emphasized hearing protection. However, when we went into the field to chase everything from deer to rabbits, hearing protection was an after thought. As I’ve grown older, I’ve realized hearing protection is an essential, yet often overlooked aspect of hunting for many hunters. We put an immense emphasis on handling firearms properly, and we spend money on the best gear we can afford to withstand the elements; however, protecting our hearing often falls by the wayside. The sound of gunfire, although a familiar part of hunting, poses a significant risk to our hearing over time. Exposure to these loud noises can lead to permanent hearing damage , subtly creeping up on hunters as they age. According to the National Council On Aging, about 40 million American adults between the ages of 20–69 have hearing loss caused by excessive noise exposure. Art Diaz from Alclair Outdoors, was recently on an episode of the UpDuck Podcast and discussed this topic as well as the innovative technology available to hunters today to help protect against hearing loss.
Today’s Hearing Protection Technology
Diaz, grew up in California, has incredible photography skills, and has a background as a musician. Wearing hearing protection as a musician is commonplace, as Diaz shared, and his goal when he started working with Alclair Outdoors was to bring his experience as a musician wearing hearing protection to the field. He wanted to improve his hunting experience, and safeguard his hearing without sacrificing environmental awareness. Alclair Outdoors specializes in creating custom-fit hearing protection for outdoor enthusiasts. This is what drove him to help build customized, high tech options for hunters. Unlike the basic earplugs that muffle all sounds, today’s hearing protection equipment is designed to filter harmful noises while allowing hunters to hear ambient sounds, such as the movement of game or the conversations of fellow hunters. This balance is crucial for maintaining situational awareness while hunting, ensuring both safety and success. One of the many questions I had was if the technology would allow me to hear soft sounds such as wing beats, conversations next to me, and the soft crunch of grass as a deer approaches. Diaz explained that his experience as a hunter and understanding what hunters like myself wanted to hear, is what allowed him to help build the innovation into the lineup of hearing devices Alclair Outdoors offers. One of the UpDuck podcast cohosts, Matt Jeske, bought a pair of ear plugs from Alclair Outdoors. On several episodes of the UpDuck Podcast he referenced his ability to hear conversations of other hunters in the blind with him, and the protection afforded after firing over 300 rounds in a day during a guided Mexican duck hunt.
Custom-fit for Comfort and Efficiency
Diaz emphasizes the importance of custom-fit devices for hunters, which offer unmatched comfort and efficiency. Custom-fit earplugs are molded to the unique contours of the user’s ears, providing a perfect seal against noise while staying securely in place, regardless of the hunter’s movements. This personalized approach not only enhances protection but also ensures that hunters can wear their devices for extended periods without discomfort.
One significant barrier to widespread adoption of high tech hearing protection among hunters is the perceived inconvenience of obtaining custom-fit devices. Diaz demystifies this process, explaining how simple it is to get fitted for Alclair’s products either at their facilities, trade shows, or through audiologists. A hunter needs to have a mold made of their ear via a puddy-like impression material. This mold is then sent off to Alclair Outdoors or another manufacturer. At an audiologists office, the appointment to create the molds can be completed in 15 minutes and the cost, while insurance dependent, isn’t typically over $100. While the process can seem daunting at the start, it is much simpler than it initially appears, and it’s hard to put a price on the benefits of hearing preservation.
There’s another piece of the conversation, and that is the cultural shift needed within the hunting community around hearing protection. Just as hunters have embraced advancements in gear and safety equipment, there’s a growing need to prioritize hearing protection. High-quality, custom-fit earplugs should be viewed as essential gear, akin to a reliable firearm or a sturdy pair of boots. Hearing protection is not just about preserving our ability to hear; it’s about maintaining our quality of life. Putting venison in the freezer, dropping a big rooster after my dog does his work, or shooting a few ducks are wonderful memories. Being able to share those stories and hear stories from other hunters throughout the rest of my life is even more important. While I spend a good amount of time thinking about hunting, the majority of my time is spent at my job, with my family, and living a regular life. For me, I don’t want the 1% of time spent in the field affecting the other 99% of of the life I live. As the hunting community becomes more aware of the importance of hearing protection, it’s hopeful that more individuals will take the necessary steps to safeguard their senses. I know I will be when hunting season approaches this fall.
Capturing the essence of your gun dog in action, or at rest after a successful hunt, is an art form – a blend of passion, skill, and an eye for the right moment. On a recent episode of the UpDuck Podcast, professional photographer and videographer Keagan Keddell shared invaluable insights into the world of outdoor and hunting photography, with a special focus on photographing gun dogs.
Embrace the Journey
Keegan’s journey into photography began with a Nikon D3500, a base model DSLR. His pursuit of capturing the natural, untamed moments amidst the rugged beauty of Alaska allowed him to master his craft in some of the most challenging environments. He continued to seek knowledge and experience while upgrading his equipment before coming back to the lower 48 and beginning his journey into professional photography. Keagan’s story is a testament to the power of dedication, curiosity, and the willingness to learn from every shot, every light, and every shadow.
Photographing gun dogs, especially in the dynamic and unpredictable settings of hunting, requires more than just technical skill. It demands an understanding of the animal, the environment, and the moments that tell a story. Keagan shared several tips for amateurs and professionals alike to enhance their gun dog photography skills:
Understand Your Subject: Knowing the behavior and tendencies of gun dogs, especially your personal dog, can help you anticipate moments worth capturing. Whether it’s the intense focus of a dog on point or the companionship of a tired dog after picking up a limit of ducks, understanding your subject is key.
Rule of Thirds and Framing: Utilize the rule of thirds to create visually appealing compositions. The simplest way to understand the rule of thirds is to open up the camera on your phone, and look at the grid lines that appear. Placing your dog’s eyes along these lines can draw the viewer’s attention. Framing, such as using natural elements or hunting gear, can add depth and context to your photographs.
Embrace the Environment: Whether it’s the golden hues of dawn during a hunt from your duck boat or the technical grounds at a training session, the environment plays a critical role in the narrative of your photography. Use it to your advantage.
Capture the Action and the Stillness: Gun dogs exude a range of emotions, from the adrenaline-fueled retrieve to the calm after a hunt. Capturing both the action and the stillness can provide the full story of your dog’s hunt and life.
Gear Matters, But So Does Your Passion: While Keagan emphasized the importance of understanding your camera’s settings and investing in quality gear, he also reminded listeners that passion is the most crucial element, and the best camera is the one your holding onto. Keep learning and growing your photography skills, and your vision and love for your dog will ultimately shine through in your photographs.
Share Your World: Perhaps the most compelling takeaway from Keagan’s story is his desire to share the beauty and thrill of the outdoor world with others. From his family to all his followers on social media, Keagan likes telling stories that inspire and connect us to the great outdoors and our companions within it using the pictures he takes. Personally, there’s nothing I love sharing more than pictures, videos, and stories of my dogs.
Summing It All Up
Photographing your gun dog is a journey, and one you won’t be disappointed in starting. Our dogs lives are never long enough, and capturing the moments you share afield with them means more as your dog ages. My oldest dog is 7 now, and I wish I had more pictures of him. Whether you’re a seasoned photographer or just starting with your first camera, the key is to start, learn, and never stop looking for those moments. Tell your story. Tell your dogs story. You’ll look back later in life and be glad you did.
