Not just a Man’s Game

Not just a Man’s Game

By Ryan Eder

Last April I had the opportunity to judge the UGA Nationals in Iowa. It could not have been a more perfect day; with temperatures in the high fifties, a nice crosswind and not a cloud in the sky I watched dogs hunt quail on a gorgeous piece of property all day long. I watched various pointing breeds, retrievers, spaniels and even a Standard Poodle display some of the finest upland work I’ve ever seen. Sounds like a typical day at an upland hunt test or trial right? It sure was, except there was something exceptionally special this time; the dog and handler team leading the competition (flusher division) for the day was a woman named Beth and her fine Labrador named Ellie. Additionally, the standout performance in the hunt test portion of the day was a black Standard Poodle and her handler, another woman named Jo.

Why is this special? As the founder of the organization hosting this event, this was one of the first times I could sit back and witness all the hard work paying off. We had a large test and trial event taking place on a perfect spring day with all kinds of like-minded people enjoying what we love most; hunting with dogs. Furthermore, it was not a typical event. We had women handlers showcasing some unbelievable dog training and handling skills, along with exceptional shooting! This is how it should be. Seeing more and more participation in hunt tests or trials with sporting dogs is a great sign of progress in my opinion, and to see more women handlers and trainers makes me feel increasingly optimistic about the future of our hunting dog sports.

If there is one thing I know to be true, it is that no matter how much time I spend with my dogs, they absolutely become the most affectionate and obedient dogs around women. My own mom will tease me about the fact that I spend countless hours of my time training the dogs for hunt tests, trials or the hunting field and yet she can simply walk in the room and get the most out of the dogs without trying. Is it “mother’s intuition”? Is it her naturally soothing and inviting voice? How about her gentle and loving demeanor with the dogs? I’m guessing it is a combination of all of the above, and I noticed much of the same in the field last April.

I am not surprised by the fact that I saw some exceptionally talented women handlers in the trial, we all know there have been incredible dog trainers and handlers that were and are female. What I am trying to say in this article is that I am seeing a growth in the popularity of dog sports and as a result, more women are getting out there with their dogs and enjoying upland and waterfowl hunting, hunting dog training and hunt tests or field trials. My hope is that this continues in all hunt test and trial venues.

The women I mentioned earlier in this article are die hard dog trainers and die hard hunters. Naturally I had to ask them about what got them started in bird hunting. At the same time they both said “the dogs”. I have said this in previous articles; dogs are one of the most powerful and influential tools in educating people about our sport, and we need to spotlight them as much as we can to share this fun with others. I too was brought into hunting through training dogs, and understood completely what Beth and Jo were saying.

Kudos to their husbands who included them in the process of selecting a puppy and training that pup into a seasoned hunting dog; not only did they enjoy an experience with their wives, but they helped preserve the sport by bringing someone else into it! Making this a family affair is exactly how we can grow bird hunting, conservation efforts, training clubs and hunt test/field trial organizations.

Some of the common complaints about hunt tests or field trials are “I hate leaving my family all weekend” or “if I bring my family, there is nothing for them to do at the event”. Similar objections can be said about hunting weekends or trips as well. The concept of youth divisions, and sharing dog training and hunting with our families is the exact remedy to the problem. Imagine if we had more youth handler divisions, and more women continue to participate in the events. It would be a family affair, and as a result there would be a lot more positive dog ownership experiences.

To all of you dog trainers and bird hunters out there; take someone with you into the field next time you train. Take your wife or husband, take your kids, and take your friends. What I witnessed last April was a direct result of someone sharing their passion with someone they care about, a perfect theme for this holiday season. I hope to see many more dog and handler teams with female handlers; especially holding first place ribbons!