Looking back at our first season under the gun..

Through the years of experience bringing my dogs out to retrieve at different hunts I have gained a lot of insight how they work and how I can handle them. Having full attention on the dog and the retrieve allows a very effective execution of the work.

Flatastic Black Peace “Kaspar” picking up pheasants in Belgium

This past winter season certainly changed the game for me as a handler completely..

Being focused with my own gun and a dog or two at the same time is really not the easiest job – especially when there is a lot of action. My dogs do not need a lot of encouragement to fill in any blanks or use opportunities so to speak..which has cost some of their steadyness and calmness. Enough work to do over the summer to reinstall these skills.

Flatastic Black Peace “Kaspar” with a hare

Having said that – I realize that being out in the field – especially being an inexperienced hunter – we rely on the game finding abilities of our gun dogs to minimize suffering and to maximize the harvest of Mother Nature.

Flatastic Red Strength “Lotte” on a pheasant hunt in Belgium

Rumi following the harvest on a hunt in the north of Holland: Friesland

In my opinion Flatcoated Retrievers are the best in finding game – wether it was a mark or a blind. The will use their nose and will power to continue.

Hunting tradition to blow the horn in gratitude & respect to the lives taken – honoring them. There is a different tune to each species.

We really enjoy being out in the fields, I love witnessing Nature and observing the flora and fauna. Doing my best to harvest in the best possible way – a clean and deadly shot and if that does not succeed as wished I am glad that the dogs are quick and work efficiently. But the whole goal of me hunting is not merely to “enjoy” the outdoors. I notice that obtaining my own meat created a deeper and more profound respect for living. I am developing a bigger sense of value of what I take from Nature. Meat is no longer something I buy without notice of the fact that an animal lost it’s life for me to eat. I also like the fact that the meat me and my family eat has come out of animals with a very good well being. Here are some pictures of what deliciousness came to our table through my dogs good work and my own efforts to obtain my license. Of course none of this was possible if it was not to the generosity of the hosts. Thank you so much Lieuwe, Piet, Frank, Roel, Gerlof and Lars.