Training Willow to hunt deer sheds

[Oldrvrrat57]

I've been working with my 2.5 year old lab to hunt for sheds the last 2 years ,here's her first find of 2023 , she was so excited that she never saw the other one laying just a few feet away! So I picked it up. My constant companion when I'm home from the river, she won't have to wait for me anymore because this will be my last hitch! Retiring after 47 years of towboating.

 

[Blackfoot58]

Enjoy retirement. You deserve it. Thanks for sharing the story.

 

[DizzyDigger]

Wow..he dropped them both in the same spot. Well done Willow!

 

[ToddsPoint]

Some breeds are happiest when they have a job. I’ve got a new dog that I’m going to try to train to find moles. Moles have gone crazy last 2 yrs and hopefully dog can find them for me.

 

[Blackfoot58]

Some breeds are happiest when they have a job. I’ve got a new dog that I’m going to try to train to find moles. Moles have gone crazy last 2 yrs and hopefully dog can find them for me.

We have a few neutered barnyard cats. They occasionally dig up a mole.

 

[Gare]

Great posting thanks for the pictures How did you train Willow to pick them ?

 

[Oldrvrrat57]

Great posting thanks for the pictures How did you train Willow to pick them ?

Basically take a small piece of antler in my pocket and let her smell it, then walk deer paths and creeks!

 

[Gare]

Would you throw it for her to get ?

 

[Oldrvrrat57]

Would you throw it for her to get ?

The people that I got her from had trained her mother to shed hunt , anything that you throw she retrieves! But I don't throw the pieces of antlers

 

[Gare]

The people that I got her from had trained her mother to shed hunt , anything that you throw she retrieves! But I don't throw the pieces of antlers

Thank you for your replies

 

[pepperj]

Well done Willow on the retrieval.
Congrats on the retirement, that's a long career on the river.

 

[delnorter]

Congratulations on the retirement. You pulled the plow a long time also. Very cool Willow retrieves the antler sheds. Nice whitetail rack in the photo.
Mike

 

[billb]

Wow,,thank You for sharing