Retrievers on the eastern shore

Retrievers are a integral part of the hunt for many waterfowl hunters, in some cases they are a necessary part of the hunt. The law requires you must have a way to recover your birds. At Chincoteague Hunting and Fishing Center we have taken care of the recovery requirements, your guide will recover your birds. We allow hunters to bring their buddy by the sea, but there are several things to consider when making that decision.

This environment is far different than flooded timber, a farm pond,or field. We hunt tidal waters where the current can be very strong at times. Recovering a dead bird, or worse a cripple in a strong current can turn into a long swim (with the current).Then confronted with the swim back into the current with the added drag of pushing the dead or crippled bird can be challenging for even the best swimmers.

There is more, we are hunting in salt water. If your dog isn't used to salt water, they will often drink it.Drinking salt water often results in it coming out the other end in a brownish, pressurized liquid,often in the blind or boat. Some dogs can hold it long enough to make it back to your vehicle. 

But there's more. We have world famous Chincoteague oysters and mussels, these are like walking on broken glass.I pretty much take my dog with me wherever  I go, which includes building duck blinds. When my chessie was alive he would spend most of the day swimming,and pulling crab traps up on the marsh by their float. Over the years he would run through the marsh chasing birds while I was building blinds. Often when he returned to the boat there would be a trail of bloody paw prints up and down the deck.Within a short time, there would be less and less blood. I never felt the need to take him to the VET because the bleeding had stopped or nearly so. It had always stopped by the time he climbed in bed that night. Some hunters have felt the need to take their dog to the vet, in some cases they needed stitches, shots, and bandages for days not to mention the cone of shame.

There are alternatives. We can put you in a bank blind that has few if any oysters or mussels, but you will need to control your dog so as not to run off into areas that they could run into problems. We have many rail hunters that bring their dogs and walk the marsh with them, with very few problems.The trick seems to be controlling your dog. You will reduce your chances at certain species of birds if you decide to bring your dog. You will also eliminate many of the bank blinds where oysters or mussels exist.

None of this is meant to discourage you from bringing your dog, it's just to make you aware of the conditions.If you decide to bring your dog please bring a suitable first aid kit, a harness capable of lifting the dog into the boat, fresh water, and a bowl.