Foster Dogs? Absolutely

What do you do when you own thirty Labradors that you absolutely adore, and have 40 weeks per year when you aren't hunting?  Leave them in the kennel? No. Absolutely not.

If you want truly great pheasant hunting you need truly great dogs.  As most of you know we are not very particular about breed.  We'll use black, yellow, or chocolate.   We own 30 of the finest Labradors anywhere.  One of the things we have learned being lifetime Lab people is that Labs love people.  In fact, that eagerness to please is one of key reasons our Scattergun Retrievers make our place most memorable.  But what do you do the rest of the year? 

Answer, Foster Parents.  Our Foster Dog program is unique in the industry.  When we aren't hunting our Labs live with families all over the country.  If you play golf at Medina Country Club you might see one riding shotgun with the course superintendent.  You could see one trotting the campus at Northern State University.  There is even a Scattergun Retriever running around a certain country music legend's home place in Alabama.

We know first hand that the more time our dogs spend with these great dog people the happier they are.  And the happier they are the better they hunt.  We don't want robots.  We want dogs that are hunting with a smile on their face.  Those who have experienced both know the difference.

We will never allow someone else's dogs to run our hunt.  We will never allow our dogs to sit in the kennel for ten months a year.  So thanks to all of our Foster Parents.  We couldn't do it without you.

We're Back

We're back.  It's been a nice off season with a wet Spring, a late hatch and time spent with family and friends.  The dogs are home, and guests will be here within the week.  Off we go.

So here I sit looking at maybe an inch of fresh snow (it really is pretty). Like me, Rip is looking out the front door. He does that a lot this time of year.  Out my office window I have seen a couple hundred pheasants, three or four coveys of grouse, eleven whitetails and one eagle, and it is only 11 o’clock. 

It is after our hunting season and before family Christmas at ScatterGun.  Like a lot of folks I am not exactly sure what we are waiting for.  The kids, presents, turkey, I am really not sure.  But then I remember “Santa is coming.”

You know, come to think of it, maybe, just maybe he has already been here and we just didn’t take the time to notice.

All's quiet.

Season completed and almost all the dogs are back to their other homes.  Mya on  a pillow in Boom's basement, Scout in front of Moose's door, Bruno and Rascal anywhere in McGowan's house that they would like to go. 

Rip Jade and Bear will continue to patrol the front entry until the rest of the pack returns.  Look for pictures soon.

Happy Holidays from all of us at Scattergun.