Decoding the most common vocabulary used by hound hunters.

By: Josh Hayes of <a href="https://www.ontrackmediagroup.net/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">On Track Media Group</a>
Photo by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ontrackmediagroup.net/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">On Track Media Group</a>
Let&rsquo;s face it, being new to the outdoors can at times be a bit overwhelming, and if you&rsquo;re interested in becoming a hound hunter, the intimidation factor and barrier to entry are probably set even higher. But don&rsquo;t let anything you&rsquo;ve seen or any of your own worries stop you from your new pursuit, I think you&rsquo;ll come to find that hound hunters are often more than willing to guide a newcomer that has a genuine interest in taking up this cherished pastime.&nbsp;
Maybe by now you&rsquo;ve been following along on some of the social media forums, listened to a few podcasts, and started hanging out in the &ldquo;Houndsman&rdquo; trail on the <a href="https://timetogowild.com/download">GoWild app</a>, but your mind is still flooded with questions and you&rsquo;re trying to decode all the new terms you&rsquo;ve been hearing. In case you&rsquo;ve been a little hesitant to ask, we thought we&rsquo;d lay it all out for you in a simple and digestible way to help you get started in your journey as a new hound hunter, or if nothing else, allow anyone with a curious mind to better understand what the heck the hound hunters are talking about!
<h2 dir="ltr">The Hound Hunter&rsquo;s Glossary</h2>
AKC: American Kennel Club
Back Track: When a dog is running a track in the wrong direction from where the animal travelled.
Bawl: A low-pitched, long, drawn-out bark, almost a howl.
Bay/Bay Up: When several dogs corner or encircle an animal on the ground and keep it from moving away, often a bear or a hog.
Bloodline: A dog&rsquo;s pedigree or genetic lineage.
Box/Dog Box: Enclosed structure where dogs ride in the back of a truck, often secured for safety. Many big game hunting dog boxes have openings for dogs to stick out their heads to air scent and strike a track while the hunter drives around.
Broke Dog: A dog that is well-trained, compliant to commands, and can be trusted to avoid chasing trash.
Cast: 1) The action of sending a dog away in the woods to locate a track, or 2) when used as a competition hunting term, an individual round where multiple hunters send their dogs out against each other to earn points for locating tracks and treeing game.
Chain Gang: a.k.a stakeout chain, a long chain staked into the ground on both ends used for tying out multiple dogs. Each dog has its own drop chain that connects them to the main chain. Often used for managing multiple dogs during training and while travelling.&nbsp;
Cold Nose: A dog with a strong nose for picking up old scent when limited ground scent is available.&nbsp;
Cold Track: An old track from an animal left behind by at least several hours or more, with very minimal scent available.
Competition Hunt/Comp Hunt: A registered event in which hunters run their dogs against each other in a competition-style &ldquo;hunt&rdquo; (no animals are killed) to earn points, often for coonhounds and squirrel dogs. Depending on the competition, dogs earn points for striking, tracking, and treeing.
Crossbred/Crossbreeding: Breeding of different breeds to combine the desirable traits of each into the pups.
Drag: A scent drag, where artificial scent or an artificial track is laid on the ground either for training or competition purposes.
Dry Ground: The conditions often seen in dusty, arid, western environments by big game hound hunters that provide very difficult scenting conditions.
E-Collar: An electric/electronic collar that provides static stimulation, tone, and vibrate sensations and used for the training and tracking of a dog off-leash.
Finished Dog: Similar to a broke dog, one that is fully trained and has experience hunting. Typically available for purchase, with the advantage being they&rsquo;ve already been trained and are ready to hit the ground running with their new owner.&nbsp;
Handheld: The receiver unit of a GPS tracking collar system carried by the hunter, often with a visual display that shows a map and movements details (direction, distance, and speed) of the dog(s) while they are tracking or treeing game.
Hot Nose: A dog that only picks up on recent, fresh scent.
Line Bred/Line Breeding: Breeding dogs from the same bloodline, to continue to pass on the desirable traits of that lineup of dogs.
Loose Mouth: Barking not associated with tracking or treeing (a.k.a. babbler).
NKC: National Kennel Club
Opens Up/Opening Up: Just after the initial strike, a dog will begin repeatedly barking as it starts following the track.
Out-Cross/Out-Crossing: Breeding dogs of different bloodlines within the same breed, to combine the desirable traits of each parent into the pups.
PKC: Professional Kennel Club
Pleasure Hunting: Hunting for the fun of it!
Registered Dog: A dog that has been bred into or displays physical breed standards according to any one of the common dog registries (AKC, NKC, PKC, UKC, etc.)&mdash;think, &ldquo;a dog with papers.&rdquo;
Slick Treeing: When a dog is barking treed, but no animal is found by the hunter; a false tree; an empty tree.&nbsp;
Split Tree: When two or more dogs are each treeing game in different trees at the same time.
Started Dog: A dog that has some training and generally has some experience hunting but is not yet finished. Often available for purchase, this option cuts the training time down for the new owner.
Stim: Short for stimulation, the sensation or static shock administered to the e-collar on the dog by the hunter from his handheld. Often used for correcting an unwanted behavior or enforcing a known command.
Strike: When a dog first smells a new track, he often lets out a loud, powerful announcement bark or bawl.
Strike Dog/Striker/Box Dog/Rig Dog: A strong-nosed dog that will ride rigged up on top of the dog box as the hunter drives around to strike a track (most often when looking for bear or lions).
Stud Dog: A male dog used for breeding.
Tie Out/Stake Out: A long metal stake that is used to tether dog(s) and keep them in place. Many tie outs allow for multiple dogs to be connected on a line (chain gang).
Tight Mouth: A dog that does very little barking while tracking.
Tone: An audible sound on the dog&rsquo;s collar made by a hunter who presses a button on his handheld. Often used to recall a dog from a tree or to break them away from chasing trash.
Track: The trail of ground scent left behind by an animal as it moves.
Tracking: When a dog is nose-to-the-ground and moving forward following an animal&rsquo;s track.
Tracking Collar: A collar with a built-in GPS unit that follows a dogs&rsquo; movement (direction, distance, and speed). Can be used to indicate when a dog is treed and out of earshot.
Trash: Any non-targeted game animal or other wildlife.
Trash Breaking: The conditioning of a dog to stop chasing trash.
Tree Dog: Any hunting dog that was bred to chase a game animal up into a tree or locate the end of a track and find the animal in a tree and then bark at the tree to indicate to the hunter they have found the animal.
Treeing/Treed: Once the dogs have located the end of a track and/or visually found the animal in a tree, they will bark excitedly and often place their forearms on the truck of the tree to indicate to the hunter to come in.&nbsp;
Tree Bark: The excited, short, choppy barks and bawls by the dog(s) once they&rsquo;ve chased up or located the animal in the tree and indicate to the hunter to come in.
Treed &amp; Freed: Describing when an animal like a bear, cat, or coon is treed but the hunters and dogs walk away leaving the animal to be. Often practiced during comp hunts, during the training season, and anytime a hunter selectively chooses not to take an animal for any reason.
UKC: United Kennel Club

Decoding the most common vocabulary used by hound hunters.

The Hound Hunter's Glossary | Terms You Hear From Dog Hunters Defined

Turkey

Bass

Hike, Camp, Cook

Whitetail Deer

Greg Tubbs | <a href="https://www.okayesthunter.com/">Okayest Hunter</a>&nbsp;
"And into the woods I go. To lose my mind and find my soul!"
--John Muir
As Humans, we need to get away and find a quiet place. Nature is that place for many of us. Here are a few things to consider before venturing out. Woodsmanship is a beneficial skill in many situations. No matter your quarry or its environment. You want to be prepared! Learning how to navigate the terrain and how the game traverses it. What kind of plants the animals eat and which to altogether avoid are essential. Dressing for the conditions can lead to success or the demise of your adventure. These are three key ingredients to having a successful and safe journey. Whether you are just going on a quick scout for whitetails or a week-long trip to hunt Western Big game.
<h2 dir="ltr">Where are you and where are you going?</h2>
Knowing where you are and where you're going is essential to returning to the truck or trailhead in today's digital world. We rely on cell phones and mapping apps to guide us through our journey. In many of the places I explore, cell service is sparse. Downloading offline maps to <a href="https://timetogowild.com/products/garmin-montana-700-18401644022294136329" target="_blank" rel="noopener">handheld GPS devices</a> before your mission will help save a lot of headaches. Also, keep a battery pack and charge cord with you. Your phone will definitely use its share of battery with an app running. More battery juice can be critical in the event of an emergency. Right next to the battery pack, a compass is not a bad idea either. I always have a compass in my pack, just in case. Old school maps can be helpful but might not always be up to date.&nbsp;
<h2 dir="ltr">You need maps. Animals don't.</h2>
Animals navigate using their senses. They are hardwired to take the path of least resistance until they have a reason to deviate course. Their course is usually food, water, or bedding cover. In between these destinations, they leave some signs. These clues can give you an idea of what they are doing in that area. Learning to interpret the sign will help establish a pattern of behavior. Take Whitetails, for example. No matter where they go, they are constantly snacking on something, from maple leaves to soybeans. They are always eating! Right now (in early September), I can follow a trail from a bean field back to a bedding area just by following a browse line. They nip off anything in reach as they go down the path, to and from bedding. Occasionally, they find a low-hanging branch to rub their orbital glands and forehead. They even chew on it too! It is their way of saying, "I was here!"&nbsp;
<img src="https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/com.gowild.pages/IMG_8952.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="667" />
<h2 dir="ltr">Plant knowledge could keep you from swimming in an ocean of Calamine lotion.</h2>
Knowing the Flora of the environment is beneficial in a few ways. It's crucial to understand what you are allergic to! Everyone reacts differently to plants. As we get older, we may get more sensitive to certain vegetation. After years of wandering the swamps and marshes and gaining exposure to Poison Ivy, Sumac, and Stinging Nettle, it turns out I am allergic to Sumac! Sumac grows everywhere in my area (Southeast WI). I couldn't honestly tell you how many times I've walked through that stuff with nothing to show for it until two years ago. I brought some home (unknowingly) to my lovely wife. I took my scouting clothes off and tossed them in the wash with the rest of the laundry. Two days later, She had a rash on her back. The following day my arms started to itch and burn. Little pustules were joining forces to make water blisters. "What the hell did you bring home?!" She asked. Topical creams were a temporary relief. It eventually spread to my torso and then south of the beltline! A steroid pill was prescribed, and the burn subsided.
<h3 dir="ltr">Some plants are friendly.</h3>
Identifying edible plants can be tricky, but worth your time if you like to forage. A good resource for identifying plants is right at your fingertips. If you're old school and like books, there are many books written for different regions of the country on medicinals and foraging. Chances are the animals like whatever you find to forage. My local deer herd will eat wild grape leaves, then return and eat some grapes when they ripen. This is evident by the vines' void of leaves and lots of tracks in the dirt. I know when Mulberries are ripe by the color of the bird poop on the car windows. Many plants don't even look like food. One of the most prolific plants that provide a lot of security cover in my area is the cattail! The roots are edible (best harvested in fall) and are high in Vitamin C. The young shoots can be harvested and eaten in the spring. Pollen can be collected and made into cattail flour for baking. Its other benefits include water filtration. Getting to these plants may require a change of boots for the wet environment they thrive in.
<h2 dir="ltr">Dress for success and comfort.</h2>
Let's face it. You're not going to wear a pair of hiking boots in the marsh. Just as you're not wearing a Tee shirt as an outer layer in the winter. The appropriate <a href="https://timetogowild.com/categories/footwear" target="_blank" rel="noopener">footwear</a> and <a href="https://timetogowild.com/categories/clothing-and-apparel" target="_blank" rel="noopener">clothing</a> allow you to spend more time in the field comfortably. Don't be afraid to invest in several types of boots for different terrains and weather conditions. Try on every brand! Your feet are the most essential component of a hike! They need to be taken care of. It starts with boots that fight you and good socks. I love Merino wool socks. They breathe well and keep your feet warm even if you get a soaker. Plus, they give enough compression to prevent falling down your ankle, like the old wool socks. Find a brand you like and buy a bunch!
<img src="https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/com.gowild.pages/IMG_8949.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="667" />
Base layers made of Merino have the same characteristics: they are soft next to the skin, keep you warm even if wet, and don't hold smell. Another bonus to Merino is that it doesn't hold a scent like Cotton or Polyester. I can wear them for several days if I take them off and dry them overnight. Options are available for Spring to Winter conditions. I first learned about Merino on a duck hunt with a buddy who swore by the stuff. We got rained on, and I was shivering like a dog shit'n fish hooks! He was wet but warm. The proper outer layers would have prevented this.
<h2 dir="ltr">Keeping the elements out.</h2>
As a woodsman, you are faced with adversity. The weather is always the determining factor in what to wear. Over the Merino base layers, there are several options for the conditions. If you are on the move looking for clues and trying to figure out movement, you don't need to dress like you're sitting in a tree stand in December. Light layers will suffice. Lightweight, packable layers are great. A puffy jacket under a light coat or sweatshirt will add insulation for when you're in the wind and can be easily stowed away when you get too warm. Hiking pants with some stretch are more comfortable than denim jeans on a walk. Just be careful in the raspberry bushes. The only thing that survives those without a scratch is the rabbits we chase in winter. Stretch-fit pants don't stand a chance unless you bring chaps. Or you come prepared with brush pants. There's always a sacrifice to be made. Safety over comfort, or heavy weight and chafing vs. lightweight and breathable.
<h2 dir="ltr">What about the rain?</h2>
In rainy conditions, you may end up just as wet on the inside as on the outside of a rain jacket. If our creator wanted us to be wet, he would have made us frogs. I have yet to find an affordable option (under $200) that allows my superheated body moisture out and keeps the rain out simultaneously! It's not ideal to be active and wear a rain suit. Companies are making breathable rain gear, but it's not cheap! If you hunt and hike in a wet environment. It's probably worth the money! You have to make the decision. All in the name of comfort!
As you venture out into the wilderness, always do your best to be prepared for the unknown. Getting turned around has happened to the best of us! We've heard several "<a href="https://www.okayesthunter.com/pages/okayest-hunter-moments">Okayest Hunter Moments</a>" from our podcast listeners. It's nothing to be embarrassed about. Remember to have fun and take it all in.&nbsp;

Woodsmanship is a beneficial skill in many situations. No matter your quarry or its environment. You want to be prepared!

How Woodsmanship Can Help You In The Whitetail Woods This Hunting Season

By: Paul Campbell from <a href="https://www.theo2podcast.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ohio Outdoors Podcast</a>
There are 47 states and 6 Canadian provinces that have an official &ldquo;state fish.&rdquo; These prestigious fish range from the noble Blackspotted Cutthroat Trout of Montana, to the keystone species of the Pacific Northwest, the Chinook salmon. America&rsquo;s most sought-after gamefish, the largemouth bass, holds the title in only a handful of states. Hawaii has the most colorful fish with the official state moniker, the humuhumunukunukuāpuaʻa fish is as pretty as a fish can get. Shad, of all the possible options, holds the title in 3 states across the Country. The three holdout states with no official state title holder are Iowa, Indiana and Ohio. Iowa and Indiana, with all due respect, don&rsquo;t always come to mind when someone mentions elite level fishing destinations. The Hoosiers and Hawkeyes can fight over who has the biggest whitetail bucks and the most acres of corn, while Ohio can rest quietly in the corner and brag about being one of the greatest walleye fishing destinations in the world. While the politicians in Ohio can&rsquo;t seem to agree over the largemouth bass or the walleye as the official fish of the Buckeye state, Ohio anglers have known for generations that the 312 miles of the northern coastline of the state provide the greatest walleye fishery any angler could ask for.
The State of Ohio&rsquo;s greatest natural resource is the scenic shores and the blue waters of Lake Erie. Dotted with rocky islands, shoals and outcroppings formed by the massive glaciers of the last ice age, the waters of Lake Erie support arguably the greatest walleye fishery in North America. The 9,910 square miles of the 4th largest Great Lake touches 4 American states and 1 Canadian province. Ohio is fortunate to have the longest shoreline of Lake Erie within the state border. As with any outdoor experience the true spirit of the adventure is forged by both the wild places you find yourself in and the people and culture that surround you. An appreciation and respect for those wild places must take hold of a person and a culture. If an abandoned disregard for the resource occurs, the demise of wildlife and their home is inevitable. By the mid to late 1950&rsquo;s as waters of Lake Erie literally burned, a native fish only found in Lake Erie, the blue pike, had disappeared from this earth forever.&nbsp; By 1966, Lake Erie, a famed fishery that annually produced millions of pounds of commercially and recreationally caught walleye for generations produced a meager 162,820 pounds that year. The lake and her fish were dead.
The famed conservationist, Aldo Leopold said that: &ldquo;Harmony with land is like harmony with a friend; you cannot cherish his right hand and chop off his left.&rdquo;
On Ohio&rsquo;s north coast the balance of respect and harmony for nature and the desire for Industrial and economic growth had been completely abandoned. Rampant and unregulated commercial fishing in Lake Erie had decimated the walleye population. Ship building, steel production, automobile manufacturing and a myriad of modern industrial businesses viewed prodigious water pollution into Lake Erie not only as a negligible problem, but as a sign of progress. Industry was winning the endless battle between man and nature. History has shown us that when called upon by nature, sportsmen will protect what they love at all costs. Hunters and anglers are the tip of the spear for enforcing the principles of the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation. As with the wild turkey, deer, elk and a number of threatened and endangered wild animals, sportsmen came to the aid of the walleye and Lake Erie.
<img src="https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/com.gowild.pages/seth-schulte-dwXNOpWs_rc-unsplash.jpg" alt="" width="250" height="333" /> In the 1960s as the walleye numbers dropped the commercial and recreational anglers started to put pressure on government and company officials across the northeast coastline of Lake Erie. That area of Ohio, with Cleveland being the economic heart and soul of the state, had been the main contributor of the water pollution in Lake Erie. Anglers from across the region would gather to clean up the lake and the surrounding tributaries. Muck covered fishing boats full of trash and debris were a common sight in the turbid waters of Lake Erie, but progress was being made. By 1968, Cleveland and surrounding communities were committed to cleaning up the lake. A bond issue was approved by voters in 1968 in Cleveland to improve sewage and water systems into and out of the lake. A small fire on Lake Erie and the Cuyahoga River was the catalyst behind the formation of the Environmental Protection Agency in Washington D.C.&nbsp; The only lake deemed a fire hazard had drawn the eyes of the world. The decades that followed would stand as a true testament to the determination of sportsmen and environmentalists. Lake Erie was back!
By the late 1970s, as clean water practices and policies around Lake Erie started to really ramp up, coho, northern pike and muskie populations rebounded. State wildlife agencies from the Lake Erie watershed started aggressive stocking programs for sport fish species. The recovery of the walleye was a little slower to occur. Many consider the mid to late 80s as the golden age of walleye fishing on Lake Erie. The year 1989 saw the largest walleye harvest total at the time. As with any body of water, the ebbs and flows of good walleye fishing remind anglers we must always stay vigilant. The following decade would be slow walleye fishing on Lake Erie with total harvest falling from the peak in 1989. The fishery agencies from the surrounding states and walleye anglers kept a close protective eye on the lake and her treasured fish. By 2003 a new benchmark was set for Lake Erie. The largest walleye hatch ever occurred that year. Spirits were high for walleye anglers. Decades of hard work were starting to come together.
Following the gold standard of walleye hatches in 2003 Lake Erie would see a stable but small walleye hatches for over a decade. Water quality practices were at the forefront of many state agencies. Governors from Ohio made Lake Erie a staple campaign stop. Anglers, as they had done for decades, protected and advocated for Lake Erie tirelessly. Starting in 2018 Lake Erie would see four consecutive years of record walleye hatches. The hatches from 2018-2021 were 30 times higher than the previous average for the prior four decades. The walleye had made a resounding recovery in the Lake Erie basin. <img src="https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/com.gowild.pages/zab-consulting-KhlolQB-Eqk-unsplash.jpg" alt="" width="250" height="375" />
For a Lake Erie walleye to be of legal harvest size, 15 inches, it can take a fish about 3 seasons to reach maturity. A true trophy walleye is considered 30&rdquo; long in Lake Erie. A walleye that size is estimated to be around 20 years old. With the record hatches from 2018 coming into maturity and the 2003 fish reaching trophy size, Lake Erie has officially entered a new golden era of walleye fishing. With the ever-vigilant presence of walleye anglers, charter captains and biologists guarding our Great Lake, anglers from across the country can experience an unprecedented walleye fishing experience for many years to come.
The hard work of concerned sportsmen once again is a shining example of the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation. A once dead lake and a fish on the verge of extinction are a true success story. We must always respect nature. We must always be willing to answer the call for help. The ebb and flow of the battle between man and nature will undoubtedly occur again in our lifetime. But for now, anglers can enjoy a truly once in a lifetime walleye fishing experience on Lake Erie.
To learn more about walleye fishing and Lake Erie, check out <a href="https://powderhook.com/planning-a-trip-to-lake-erie/?utm_source=gowild&amp;utm_medium=native1&amp;utm_campaign=erie">Powderhook's Lake Erie Planner</a>.

The Hoosiers and Hawkeyes can fight over who has the biggest whitetail bucks and the most acres of corn, while Ohio can rest quietly in the corner and brag about being one of the greatest walleye fishing destinations in the world. While the politicians in Ohio can’t seem to agree over the largemouth bass or the walleye as the official fish of the Buckeye state, Ohio anglers have known for generations that the 312 miles of the northern coastline of the state provide the greatest walleye fishery any angler could ask for. 


The Hoosiers and Hawkeyes can fight over who has the biggest whitetail bucks and the most acres of corn, while Ohio can rest quietly in the corner and brag about being one of the greatest walleye fishing destinations in the world. While the politicians in Ohio can’t seem to agree over the largemouth

Walleye History

The History of Trophy Walleye in Lake Erie | Ohio Is A World Class Walleye Destination

Eric Clark |<a href="https://www.okayesthunter.com/"> Okayest Hunter</a>
It's said that early bowhunting season is easy if you've done your scouting and homework. There are far fewer hunters to compete with, and deer have not yet been exposed to real hunting pressure. There are still challenges, though. The heat and mosquitos alone prevent several deer hunters from entering the woods to bow hunt.
Some bowhunters swear by early season bowhunting, while others dread it. Some argue the earlier in the season you hunt, the better your chances are of harvesting a mature buck. If you're an Okayest Hunter, odds are you're handing in your homework assignment late and you don't have any meaningful or current intel to point you in the right direction.
If you're considering early-season bowhunting, there are a few things you should take into consideration. First, all that new camo and flannel you just bought will be great if you're looking to soak in pure sweat. Otherwise, what you remember from last season probably had a nice chill in the air. That's not early season in most cases. If you're <a href="https://timetogowild.com/stories/Where-Do-I-Start-A-Question-Every-New-Hunter-Will-Ask-How-and-why-To-Start-Hunting">new to hunting</a>, you may want to wait until later in the season when weather conditions are more closely aligned with all those beautiful fall photos you see on hunting magazines and <a href="https://timetogowild.com/">GoWild posts</a>. I say that because I had a buddy that got turned off to bowhunting altogether because he almost got carried away by mosquitos and looked like he fell in a river from all the sweat seeping through his pores.
Moreover, it might also be fun for a new hunter to experience the thrill of the rut rather than the rays of the sun combined with mosquitos buzzing in your ears. Second, what is your physical condition? Early season bowhunting can be physically demanding, so make sure you're up for the challenge. Early season bowhunting is best if you've done your <a href="https://timetogowild.com/stories/3-Things-You-Should-be-Doing-For-Deer-Season-Now-Spring-Deer-Prep-Tips">spring scouting</a>. Patterning deer is critical this time of year. Because food is still abundant, you won't have as much luck hunting destination food sources. Remember, most everything is still green and editable.
On hot days, consider hunting near water or shade. Like us, deer need to stay hydrated, and shade is far more comfortable on a hot day. In one of their videos, The Hunting Public had a clip about how deer moved with the shade.
Foliage can make things more challenging too. Your shooting lanes might be smaller. This can be an advantage and disadvantage as you're less likely to be picked off, but your field of vision isn't as far either.
Pros of early season bow hunting:
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
Less hunting competition
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
Deer have not been pressured
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
If you've done your homework, you can pattern a deer
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
High chance of potential success
</li>
</ul>
Cons of hunting in the early season:
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
It's too damn hot 🥵
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
It's green everywhere still, and deer have food all over
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
Mosquitos 🦟
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
Visibility is low with summer foliage
</li>
</ul>
All in all, bowhunting the early season has its pros and cons. It's ultimately up to you to decide what is best. Do your research and be comfortable with what you choose! Remember, ya can't kill 'em from the couch. Happy bow hunting season, everyone!
Cheers

It's said that early bowhunting season is easy if you've done your scouting and homework. There are far fewer hunters to compete with, and deer have not yet been exposed to real hunting pressure.

The Pros and Cons of Early Season Whitetail Bowhunting

Five years ago today, GoWild was born.&nbsp;
The journey has been wild in itself. It&rsquo;s taken our team all over the country, we&rsquo;ve met people from all over the world and we&rsquo;ve made new friends. Our company survived a pandemic and some turbulent economic times. We had to adapt to make it in this new world. All of that adversity made us stronger.&nbsp;
This isn&rsquo;t a pitiful &ldquo;look at the hard things we&rsquo;ve done&rdquo; blog post though. No, screw that. We&rsquo;re sharing the good times. We chatted with a few of our more tenured teammates to ask them about their favorite memories along the way. Before we share their stories, just know we&rsquo;re grateful to every single person who downloaded our app, all of the customers who spent their hard-earned pay checks with us, every brand who trusted the newcomer in a partnership, all of our investors for believing in the business, and the team who made this dream a reality. We couldn&rsquo;t be here without you all.&nbsp;
Alright, with that said, enjoy this collection of stories from Team GoWild.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
<h2>Zack Grimes</h2>
<h3>Cofounder, President Start date: The beginning,&nbsp; Fall 2016</h3>
&ldquo;One of my favorite memories was when we got into the Stadia Ventures business accelerator. Brad got the whole team&mdash;six people at that time&mdash;together in our conference room to prepare yet another round of financial projections for the program. He&rsquo;s walking through all of these confusing spreadsheets, then he said he needed to expand on one point. He clicked a YouTube link, and Kool &amp; the Gang &ldquo;Celebration.&rdquo; Out of nowhere, a bottle of some really rare and expensive bottle of Belgian beer comes out of his bag. Cups start floating around, and he says, &lsquo;we are in!&rsquo; Everyone starts cheering, meanwhile I&rsquo;m looking around the room trying to figure out if it was real or not. It was. We still have the empty bottle in the conference room as a fun memory.
&nbsp;
<h2>Chris Gleim</h2>
<h3>Cofounder, Chief Development Officer Start date: The beginning, Fall 2016</h3>
&ldquo;The founders all had full-time jobs when we started this. In fact, we side hustled for nearly two years before the last founder went full-time. We would utilize our company holidays off, such as Christmas or New Years Eve, to get extra days to meet up. About a year into it, we all took the day off to work at my house. It was especially cool, because it was the day of the solar eclipse. So we&rsquo;re at my house, enjoying some beers and pizza, working on this app we&rsquo;re about to launch, and it was fun to just spend a day working together. On top of that, I&rsquo;ll never forget walking outside and watching this epic eclipse with my buddies and cofounders. There was something special to it. We launched the first version of GoWild in the AppStore a few weeks later.&rdquo;
&nbsp;
<h2>Jacob Knight</h2>
<h3>Director of Strategic Partnerships Start date: August 7, 2019</h3>
&ldquo;Two memories come to mind for me. First, it was my first week at GoWild, and I knew I was going to fit in immediately. I was talking to Brad in the hallway when Zack, a cofounder, walks up and looks me up and down. He looks at Brad and said, &ldquo;What in the hell is he wearing?&rdquo; I was formal&mdash;slacks and a button down shirt. Zack? He was wearing shorts, because it was August. From that day forward, I wore whatever I wanted.&nbsp;
Another unforgettable moment was this year in Vegas. GoWild has been a crazy ride and we&rsquo;ve made some great memories. But forever, one of the weirdest moments will be standing&nbsp; poolside at a boutique hotel in Vegas at Black Rifle Coffee&rsquo;s after show party. Brad says, &ldquo;Who&rsquo;s the guy singing Tone Loc covers?&rdquo; I was like, dude, that&rsquo;s the real Tone Loc. &ldquo;Funky Cold Medina&rdquo; is playing as Zack goes to take a leak. He comes back and said, &lsquo;so, there&rsquo;s a guy wearing a medal of honor over by the bathroom.&rdquo; That solidified my suspicion that we were the softest dudes at the party.&rdquo;
&nbsp;
<h2>Ben Johnson</h2>
<h3>Senior Backend Developer&nbsp; Start date: Feb. 11, 2019</h3>
&ldquo;One of my favorite memories was simply starting at GoWild. I ran my own company for 15 years, so this was a huge shift in my career. The team, culture, goals, and flexibility of the company made it an enjoyable transition. I was able to get back to my passion of writing code and problem solving for another business I truly believe in. I&rsquo;ll never forget our first retreat. I was a remote team member, so it was great to get to know everyone on a more personal level. Sharing good food, drinks, and experiences while also brainstorming on the current and future state of GoWild. It is something I look forward to every year.
Finally, I have to say I&rsquo;ll always remember our first ecommerce order. The culmination of all the hard work the team put into the pivot to ecommerce and seeing the excitement of the entire team as it kicked off. Remembering where we started and seeing where we are today is a little mind boggling.&rdquo;
&nbsp;
<h2>Arica Johnson</h2>
<h3>Director of Member Experience&nbsp; Start date: Sept. 23, 2019</h3>
&ldquo;I have a lot of memories, most of which were deemed inappropriate for a public blog. One that is sharable, though, was the first day back after our COVID lockdown. Donovan and I were sitting outside on the picnic table, when all of a sudden a bush suddenly erupted. I mean, it was on fire. We thought the burning bush was likely a sign of times to come. Thank goodness it wasn't.
Another great memory was recently. Looking around in the thick of the Send It Slam crowd, I realized not only did we pull off an event like this, but I could see how real our community was. We built this. Knowing that strangers want to share this with us, drove from as far away as Texas and Arkansas to be there, and had a great time was one of the best feelings. Hugging the team that night before we all left, I thought about how this is such a unique team. It would be impossible to replicate it. These are the days.&rdquo;
&nbsp;
These stories go on for days. Years, really.
If you enjoyed this, see our Cofounder and CEO&rsquo;s piece on just how challenging of a journey it&rsquo;s been. That story is <a href="https://timetogowild.com/stories/GoWild-Cofounder-tells-all-on-5-year-anniversary-of-companys-first-app-launch" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here.&nbsp;</a>
Thanks again to everyone who supports the business. We&rsquo;ll always be grateful for the support.&nbsp;
&mdash; Team GoWild&nbsp;

This isn’t a pitiful “look at the hard things we’ve done” blog post though. No, screw that. We’re sharing the good times. We chatted with a few of our more tenured teammates to ask them about their favorite memories along the way. Before we share their stories, just know we’re grateful to every single person who downloaded our app, all of the customers who spent their hard-earned pay checks with us, every brand who trusted the newcomer in a partnership, all of our investors for believing in the business, and the team who made this dream a reality. We couldn’t be here without you all. 

This isn’t a pitiful “look at the hard things we’ve done” blog post though. No, screw that. We’re sharing the good times. We chatted with a few of our more tenured teammates to ask them about their favorite memories along the way. Before we share their stories, just know we’re grateful to every sing

Looking Back: GoWild team members share their favorite memories

Reflections on what it took to build a company through a pandemic, recessions, supply chain woes & Silicon Valley’s bias against outdoorsmen

GoWild Cofounder tells all on 5 year anniversary of company’s first app launch

Eric Clark, <a href="https://www.okayesthunter.com/">Okayest Hunter</a>
Deer hunting season is upon us, and for the Okayest Hunter, you're probably just now starting to think about <a href="https://timetogowild.com/stories/How-to-Start-Deer-Hunting-Finding-a-Good-Hunting-Spot-Gear-and-Learning-Tips" target="_blank" rel="noopener">where you're going to hunt</a>. I'm not talking about which tree; I'm talking about which public parcel. Here are three things you may not have thought of to help you find and access new hunting land for the upcoming deer hunting season.
<h2 dir="ltr">1. Check With Your State Wildlife Agency</h2>
Many states have programs that allow hunters to gain access to private land for deer hunting. The requirements and process vary from state to state, so be sure to check with your state wildlife agency for more information.
For example, Wisconsin (where I'm from) has Managed Forest Law (MFL) land. This program offers tax breaks to land owners that let the public access their property for hunting and recreation. Another program unique to Wisconsin is Voluntary Public Access (VPA). This is similar to MFL. However, it's a bit more accessible because it will be posted, and permission is already granted without having to seek it out.
<h2 dir="ltr">2. Look Into Cooperative Agreements&nbsp;</h2>
Some states have cooperative agreements with private landowners that give hunters access to their land. These agreements are typically made between the state and the landowner, so again, be sure to check with your state wildlife agency.
Using Wisconsin as my example, some not-for-profit organizations promote conservation by buying up land and allowing public access to hunting and recreation. Some of these organizations have their own rules to play by. One that I am used to leveraging has a draw system. I pay $50 to submit an entry. If drawn, I'll be one of few people allowed access to a parcel of private property. Some of the rules enforced are things like shooting a doe first. Overall, this is an excellent resource as it reduces the number of hunters and increases my odds of seeing more deer. I've had a lot of success with this type of program.
<h2 dir="ltr">3. Try A Day-Lease App</h2>
Several new day-lease apps akin to an Airbnb app for hunters have hit the market over the last several years.&nbsp;When I founded the Where to Hunt GPS app (now called <a href="http://outlnd.io/">OUTLAND&reg;</a>) to help hunters identify occupied and unoccupied hunting land, I was working on partnering with a few of these companies to help address concerns from the land owners. Some of these services might be better, depending on where you live. I've noticed that they tend to be heavily localized, as the founders likely leveraged relationships based on proximity.
<a href="https://rentahunt.com/">Rentahunt</a> is local to Wisconsin, so I expect to see properties closer to home for me. Others like, <a href="https://landtrust.com/">LandTrust</a> or <a href="https://outdooraccess.com/#/">Outdoor Access</a> might yield better results for your local hunting spots. I've seen a few of these companies come and go over the years, so it'll be interesting to see how these services evolve or get consumed by mergers and acquisitions.
Of course, you can always do other things, like <a href="https://timetogowild.com/stories/Urban-Deer-Hunting-Tips-Getting-Persmission-and-Urban-Hunting-Strategy" target="_blank" rel="noopener">knocking on doors to get hunting access</a> or scouting further and broader. These are just some examples of things I've had experience and some level of success with. I'd love to hear what has worked for you, too. Of course, though, often as hunters, some folks are more reluctant to share where they hunt because they don't want to see their honey hole get exposed.

Things you may not have thought of to help you find and access new hunting land for the upcoming deer hunting season.

3 Ways To Find New Deer Hunting Spots | Whitetail Hunting Strategy

Editor note: We&rsquo;ve fought back against Big Tech&rsquo;s war on the outdoor lifestyle since 2016. <a href="https://www.vparchery.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Vantage Point Archery</a> was the latest victim of Silicon Valley with biased treatment coming from LinkedIn, which deemed the company as violating their terms of service. We invited the VPA team to share their story to help raise awareness of the challenges the hunting and fishing industry are facing.
<h2 dir="ltr">American Broadhead Manufacturer being Censored by LinkedIn</h2>
<ul>
<li dir="ltr">LinkedIn doesn&rsquo;t care about the hunting industry.&nbsp;</li>
<li dir="ltr">LinkedIn doesn&rsquo;t care about small businesses.&nbsp;</li>
<li dir="ltr">LinkedIn doesn&rsquo;t care about supporting U.S.A manufacturing.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
LinkedIn thinks hunting is barbaric. Barbaric? Tell that to the men and women who rely on and have relied on hunting to feed their families for hundreds of thousands of years.&nbsp;
Much of the content that VPA shares is based around our valued customers and the experiences they have had using VPA products. On August 13th, we posted to our VPA social media accounts a customer testimonial. The post is shown below:&nbsp;
<img src="https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/com.gowild.pages/VPA+Main+Image.png" alt="" width="600" height="547" />
Later that night, VPA team members discovered the <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/vantage-point-archery/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Vantage Point Archery LinkedIn page</a> had been taken down. No admins of the company page were notified. No email was sent explaining why VPA&rsquo;s page had been taken down &ndash; the only &ldquo;explanation&rdquo; was a note for admins of the page to see saying VPA&rsquo;s page was removed for violating LinkedIn&rsquo;s professional policies.&nbsp;
Censorship at its finest! LinkedIn has removed Vantage Point Archery because it goes against LinkedIn&rsquo;s &ldquo;Professional Policies&rdquo;.&nbsp; Can someone explain that to us? We are a small business in a $1 Billion dollar industry. We post information about our products. Our competitors have their companies on LinkedIn. We talk about our customers, our employees, and our distributors. We make and build all our products in the USA.&nbsp; We create local good paying jobs and employ families. We build the best broadheads on the market and design them to be used ethically and humanely in the harvesting of wild game. What part of all of this violates LinkedIn Professional Policy? We asked all our contacts on LinkedIn and all other social media sites to help us beat this censorship. Help us stand up to the cancel culture. We are now in a time in this country, this world where people can&rsquo;t have differing opinions. Where social media gets to decide what can be presented and who can view it. We need to stop this nonsense! We need a JOE ROGAN moment here. We need to hit this head on. We can&rsquo;t hide and let this go without a fight. We asked our contacts to blow up social media with this message &ndash; to &ldquo;Like&rdquo;, &ldquo;Follow&rdquo;, share, post, hashtag, telephone, telegraph, tell your momma about Vantage Point Archery.
We asked to help us get our page back on LinkedIn. We asked them to help us send a message to the cancel culture and the social media giants that we won&rsquo;t be silenced, that small businesses can and will fight back.&nbsp;
Stand up for small business and stand up for freedom.
We asked and our community provided.&nbsp;
One admin of the page, <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexandra5478/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">VPA Marketing Manager Alex Christianson</a>, messaged LinkedIn Help requesting the page get reinstated -- and received no response. Crickets.&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffery-stringer-8559178/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">VPA Owner, Jeff Stringer</a>, took to the platform on his personal account and posted letting his connections know that VPA&rsquo;s page is being censored, pleading the message above and more. This series of posts received high numbers of reach, engagement, and agreement with the unfairness and vagueness of this removal of a professional business&rsquo; page from the platform.&nbsp;
Stringer&rsquo;s post received enough traction that LinkedIn had no choice but to reach out.&nbsp;
Stringer was contacted by LinkedIn, they state that VPA was censored for "Providing direct-to-purchase links and/or private contact information to facilitate the sale of illegal or dangerous goods or services such as: Weapons and firearms...".
Essentially, LinkedIn is saying that VPA&rsquo;s page was removed due to a specific post, the one mentioned earlier in this article showcasing a customer testimonial, because it directly linked to the page of VPA&rsquo;s website containing our selection of broadheads. VPA has used this link countless times not only on the LinkedIn platform, but also on other social media platforms, and never received any notion of this link being inappropriate or in violation of any policies.&nbsp;
LinkedIn did not simply remove the post which they are claiming violates their professional policies, they went to the extreme and removed VPA&rsquo;s page in its entirety from the platform &ndash; without letting anyone from the company know it was being removed or why. It took Stringer spreading awareness of LinkedIn&rsquo;s censorship in order for anyone at the company to give us an explanation.&nbsp;
Our products are broadheads used for hunting. Several of our competitors as well as other companies in the hunting industry in general are on the platform and posts links to product pages.
<h3 dir="ltr">Here are the reasons this is all B.S.:</h3>
<ul>
<li dir="ltr">Hunting has been a tradition in the USA since before its founding.</li>
<li dir="ltr">Hunting is LEGAL!</li>
<li dir="ltr">Manufacturing and selling broadheads is LEGAL.</li>
<li dir="ltr">Ethically and humanely taking game with broadheads is LEGAL.</li>
<li dir="ltr">Advertising and promoting hunting and the ethical use of modern hunting methods is LEGAL!</li>
<li dir="ltr">Teaching our youth how to hunt and taking them hunting is LEGAL!</li>
<li dir="ltr">Censoring people because you don&rsquo;t like hunting should be ILLEGAL!</li>
<li dir="ltr">Ryan Roslansky, using your social media platform to CENSOR and Manipulate content should be ILLEGAL!</li>
</ul>
Where is the support for differing opinions? Where is your support for freedom and freedom of speech? <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanroslansky/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ryan Roslansky</a> thank you for restoring Vantage Point Archery&rsquo;s LinkedIn page, but shame on you for taking it down in the first place! Who else are you censoring or silencing and why? What other messages are you trying to hide or manipulate? What is your endgame and motive? While you have returned us to your site, this discussion and fight is far from over. Let&rsquo;s talk soon!
Yes, LinkedIn reinstated VPA&rsquo;s LinkedIn page &ndash; but only after this censorship was receiving attention from the community and shining a bad light onto LinkedIn.&nbsp;
This removal of VPA&rsquo;s page from LinkedIn was intended to silence our company from promoting products that support the hunting community. VPA will not stand to be shaken by giants such as LinkedIn, VPA will not be censored or canceled for promoting ethical, quality, U.S.A made products to an industry with strong values and beliefs. If anything, this stunt from LinkedIn reignited the spark in VPA to stand up for small business and our freedoms as Americans. Who&rsquo;s with us?
<a href="https://timetogowild.com/profile/5RZKg56WVQj9ZOc86ly5BQ" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Follow VPA on GoWild</a> and support an American-Made company.&nbsp;
<a title="Vantage Point Archery's GoWild Profile" href="https://timetogowild.com/profile/5RZKg56WVQj9ZOc86ly5BQ" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/com.gowild.pages/Vantage-point-archery-GoWild-Profile+(1).jpg" alt="" width="500" height="1082" /></a>
Learn more about VPA by visiting our website <a href="http://www.vparchery.com">www.vparchery.com</a>
<h3 dir="ltr">Message from LinkedIn Employee:</h3>
LinkedIn Jeffery Stringer Reference # 220816-018443 Status: Open Response (08/16/2022 22:23 CST) Good evening, Jeffery, Thank you for bringing the restriction of Vantage Point Archery's page to our attention. The restriction was removed and the page restored. Please let me know if you or others experience any issues viewing or accessing it so that we can further investigate. I wanted to apologize for what I am sure was a frustrating experience in addition to providing additional context with regard to the page's restriction. The restriction you experienced resulted from this post, specifically the direct link to arrow heads contained in it which violates our policies, specifically: "Providing direct-to-purchase links and/or private contact information to facilitate the sale of illegal or dangerous goods or services such as: Weapons and firearms...". You can view the policy in its entirety here. Though posting direct-to-purchase links is a violation of our policies, posting links to the website itself is not. If there are any additional questions or concerns that I can answer or clarify for you, please let me know. Best, Grace
<h2 dir="ltr">Vantage Point Archery's Background</h2>
At VPA we develop and manufacture the largest selections of solid one-piece precision-machined archery broadheads. We manufacture just about everything from 100 grains up to 300 grains in three-blade, two-blade, and Single Bevels models. We also offer field points, small game heads, turkey spurs, arrow footers, and risers.&nbsp;
VPA started in Ft Wayne, Indiana over 13 years ago and we are proud to offer only American-made products! Considering all our machining is done in-house, we can control product quality more effectively.
Prior to the past 2 or 3 years, most VPA sales were attributed to word-of-mouth and relations with local archery shops. Over the past couple years, VPA has focused its efforts into expanding the VPA footprint to consist of selling our products through our website and through the shops of approximately 100 dealers.&nbsp;
VPA attributes recent growth to not only supplying fixed blade broadheads of the highest quality to the market, but also doing so through a commitment to American Manufacturing and the American workforce, with 100% of our products being Made in the U.S.A.&nbsp;
While we are confident as a company that we could reach lower costs through sourcing materials and production overseas, like many of our competitors, we are not willing to sacrifice our commitment to U.S. Manufacturing and our loyal customers who support these values.&nbsp;
VPA continues to expand our product line and grow our productions to not only supply other U.S. based companies with product, but also employ more workers at our facility. VPA is a brand that any American and Archer would be proud to support.

American Broadhead Manufacturer being Censored by LinkedIn. Much of the content that Vantage Point Archery shares is based around its valued customers and the experiences they have had using VPA products. On August 13th, VPA posted to its social media accounts a customer testimonial that got their profile deleted.

American Broadhead Manufacturer being Censored by LinkedIn. Much of the content that Vantage Point Archery shares is based around its valued customers and the experiences they have had using VPA products. On August 13th, VPA posted to its social media accounts a customer testimonial that got their p

Vantage Point Archery's Censorship Story | American Broadhead Manufacturer Censored by LinkedIn

The mornings are getting cooler and the days are getting shorter. That means the season, and time afield with your dog, is right around the corner. It also means that the time is running out to prepare your dog for the rigors of hunting. Here are 3 key areas to focus on as you get ready for Fall hunting. Before we get to those key areas, it&rsquo;s important to note that because we are so close to hunting season for most,&nbsp; we aren&rsquo;t looking to introduce anything new, but to refine the skills your gun dog already has developed based on their training level and experience.&nbsp;
<h2 dir="ltr">The Dog's Conditioning</h2>
The most important thing you can do is to start conditioning your dog. This is one aspect of training that many forget about whether your dog is chasing pheasants in the upland field or picking up ducks in a marsh. Fatigue causes trained behaviors to break down and shortens your hunt. A well conditioned dog allows you as the handler to continue the quality habits you&rsquo;ve trained into your dog and keep your expectations high.&nbsp;
The last benefit, and maybe the most important, to conditioning is preventing injury. I view gun dogs much like athletes. When athletes show up for the season out of shape, their likelihood of injury increases dramatically. The same is true for dogs. Get your dog out running and swimming as much as you can before the opener. They&rsquo;ll love it and you won&rsquo;t regret this time either.&nbsp;
<img src="https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/com.gowild.pages/hunting-dog-retreiving.jpeg" alt="" width="500" height="499" />
<h2 dir="ltr">The Dog's Obedience</h2>
The foundation of any gun dog is obedience. From steadiness in the dog blind to recall in the switchgrass, having control of your dog while hunting is key to an enjoyable and safe hunt. A summer spent lounging on the couch without training will cause even the most well trained dog&rsquo;s obedience level to atrophy.&nbsp;
The great part about obedience training is that it's easily done anywhere. Start in the yard, keep your sessions short (5 minutes) and up beat, and start building connection and expectations with your dog again. Better yet, do your obedience sessions at the same location you are conditioning your dog, and then start to add more elements and distractions to your training sessions.&nbsp;
<h2 dir="ltr">Put Your Dog In Hunting Situations</h2>
The last piece of the puzzle as you get your gun dog ready for the upcoming season is putting them in hunting situations. This is the most fun piece of preparation and the one that gets folks excited about. Before diving in, there are many questions to think through as you plan this piece.
<h3 dir="ltr">Planning To Train Your Dog In Hunting Situations</h3>
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
Where will you be hunting? - fields, marsh, farm ponds, big water, etc
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
What will your dog be hunting from? boat, dog blind, etc?
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
Will you be hunting with a group?
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
Will you be hunting with other dogs?
</li>
</ul>
As you start to answer these questions, they&rsquo;ll guide you to simulating a hunt. For example, if you&rsquo;ll be duck hunting with a group, get together a few buddies, set up a blind, call, shoot blanks, and work on your dog's steadiness and marking. If you&rsquo;ll have multiple dogs hunting, add that element. If you will be solo upland hunting, get your hands on training birds - pigeons, training birds from a local game farm, etc. - and handle your dog like you would during a hunt.&nbsp;
When you start simulating the hunt, the work you&rsquo;ve put in conditioning your dog and shoring up obedience levels will pay off. Continue to demand and expect the same standards you&rsquo;ve been training to in this simulated hunt. There will be more excitement, more distractions, and more stimulation than you can replicate any other time outside of an actual hunt, which makes it an amazing training opportunity. While it might not be perfect, this exposure is going to benefit your dog.&nbsp;
<div id="page-content-carousel-container" class="gowild-mobile-hidden">
<h2 class="page-content-carousel-title">Shop Dog Gear</h2>
 
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</div>
<h2 dir="ltr">Always Be Training Your Hunting Dog</h2>
I view every situation as a training situation with my dog. He&rsquo;s always being conditioned based on the taught behaviors I expect and what I allow. If you haven&rsquo;t set aside the training time with your dog in the off season, that&rsquo;s okay. You have time to put together an off season training plan for 2023. Right now, focus on what&rsquo;s most important, and accomplish what you can before the season is here and you are out making memories afield with your 4 legged hunting partner. Like any type of hunting, preparation is key. Take the time you have now to prepare your gun dog, and enjoy the season ahead.&nbsp;

The mornings are getting cooler and the days are getting shorter. That means the season, and time afield with your dog, is right around the corner. It also means that the time is running out to prepare your dog for the rigors of hunting.

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