On the Calendar in California: November
Pheasant, dove's second season and fall turkey all open Saturday, Nov. 14. Around it: a CDFW pheasant-draw deadline for juniors, families and new hunters, a stamp-art contest, and a month of bird-dog trials.
Reading Alan: What a Flushing Dog's Posture, Tail Set, and Cadence Tell You About a Covey
Your gundog is telling you where the birds are. Here's how to read posture, tail set, head carriage, and cadence — three seasons with an English cocker on California cover.
From a Dove Field Back to Quail: Peter Burnham on The Upland Social
Peter sat down with Ryan Lynton on The Upland Social: coming back to bird hunting after two decades away, hunting behind a cocker spaniel, and how much public land California has.
The Four Weeks That Decide October: Quail Prep While Dove Is Still Open
The dove split closes on the 15th and quail is a month out. That gap is the most useful four weeks on the California upland calendar and the easiest to waste. What we are actually doing with ours.
Dog Conditioning for Early-September Heat
Sept. 1 is a heat event for a dog. A dogless editor reports what Peter's 2.5-week conditioning ramp with Alan actually looks like — first-light windows, water, pads, the scale — and the go/no-go morning call that outranks all of it.
Heat Safety for Bird Dogs: California Off-Season Conditioning as Temps Rise
California bird dog heat safety as spring temps climb — recognizing hyperthermia, water access, timing runs, and conditioning honestly through the off-season.
