Bird dogs
use the wind to hunt and find birds. Hunters use the wind to determine the best
approach to birdy objectives, and dog trainers like us use it to help dogs
navigate a variety of bird setups.
Basically, there are four wind situations: upwind, downwind, cross-wind,
and no
wind. Scent is carried on
water molecules in the air and moves with the wind. If a dog is running upwind
of birds, the wind is at his back and he cannot smell them. If he is running
downwind of birds, so he is working into the wind, their scent is carried to
him. If he is running cross-wind to birds, at right angles to the wind, he runs
across their scent. Most good bird dogs try to run at right angles to the wind
so they can hunt a larger area. Having a good understanding of the wind is key
to achieving success in the field.
A bird dog demonstrates he is hunting when he uses the
wind. Watch the dog run. If he runs on the downwind side of a tree line, he has
positioned himself at right angles to any bird scent that might be there. Run
him through a field into the wind, and he naturally quarters the field to stay
at right angles to the wind.
Hunters plan their approaches using the wind. When
heading to their favorite grouse coverts, they try to approach birdy objectives
from the downwind side. If they approach from the upwind side, birds can hear
them coming and have time to escape before the dogs detect them. Hunting
singles after a covey of quail flush can be as simple as a downwind approach,
so the dog quarters. It doesn’t take long before the dog becomes skilled at the
singles game.
Dog trainers have to be constantly aware of the wind
when planting birds or bringing the dog into different bird setups. We leave
foot tracks every time we plant birds; four-wheeler tracks, too. Try coming in
from the upwind side when you walk or drive a four-wheeler to plant birds so
you’ll leave as few clues as possible for the dog to follow. Once you bring the
dog to the field, try approaching birds so the dog is cross-wind to them. This
way, he’ll run across their scent and immediately get a nose full. If you
approach from downwind of birds, their scent builds as the dog gets closer,
which may encourage him to creep.
The wind can be a fickle partner, often dying down or
changing direction in a short period of time. Be sure to constantly monitor its
direction either by feeling for it on your face or by tossing a small handful
of grass and watching the direction in which it falls. Sometimes, the wind simply
dies; when this happens, it’s smart to have a plan. After you make one or two
passes without the dog indicating birds, take the dog on instead of trying to
force the situation. Practice some check-cord work, or, if you have another
bird planted, work him on it. You can always come back to the first bird if the
wind picks up and scenting improves.
As you pay attention to the wind, you’ll become more
in tune with nature, and, ultimately, you’ll gain a better understanding of the
ways in which your dog hunts. In essence, you’re getting down on his level and
starting to think like a bird dog.
