SPLIT REED

As the summer heat drags on and we enter into the Dog Days of Summer, many waterfowl hunters have their focus set on retriever training in anticipation of the coming season. As important as it is to continually put in the ‘reps’ with your dog, it is equally important that you as their trainer are putting in the work to keep your dog healthy, happy, and well-rounded. So they can perform their best season after season. 1️⃣ Keeping Dogs Cool: Chances are if you’re feeling the summer heat so is your dog. Try and keep your dog in the water as much as possible.2️⃣ Use Dog Ramps: All too often we see retrievers retired from the field early because of bad hips and joints, so take the proactive step and use dog ramps when loading and unloading your furry friend.3️⃣ Hydration: Making sure your dog has access to good, cool water is imperative not only for your dog’s overall health but in their performance during training.4️⃣ Exposure To New Locations: Training is inherently repetitive, it is important to mix up training locations to develop a well-rounded dog.5️⃣ Patience: Your dog isn’t a machine. Dogs are living things that are trying to learn human commands, so have patience! ~Head to the Split Reed website to read the full breakdown on our 5 summer training tips from the team at Next Generation Retrievers. #gundogtraining #retrievertraining #duckdog #waterfowlhunting

On S2 Ep. 7 of Duck Camp Dinners, Chef Jean-Paul dives into the issues Louisianas coastal ecosystems are facing, as well as chasing some specklebellies with father and son duo Kirk & Garrett Rhinehart. Watch now on the Split Reed YouTube channel. #duckcampdinners #waterfowlhunting #specklebelly

Where are our specklebelly fans at? If that’s you then DCD S2 Ep. 6 is for you, watch now on the Split Reed YouTube. If you’re at the Delta Expo this weekend stop on by the DCD booth #223/224! #duckcampdinners #specklebelly #goosehunting

On S2 Ep. 5 of Duck Camp Dinners, the duck camp crew takes a break from chasing birds in Venice and hits the water in search of some fresh seafood for the coolers. Watch now on the Split Reed YouTube and get ready for S3 of Duck Camp Dinners coming next month. #duckcampdinners #comehungry #louisiana

Doesn’t get much better than having some fresh smoked duck at camp. Catch more of this recipe on S2 Ep. 4 of Duck Camp Dinners. Also if you plan on stopping by the Delta Waterfowl Foundation expo this weekend you’ll be able to find and chat with Chef Jean-Paul and the whole Duck Camp Dinners team at booth #223/224. Stop on by to say hi, talk duck hunting and stay tuned while at the expo for some special cooking demonstrations from Chef Jean-Paul throughout the weekend. #duckcampdinners #wildgamecooking #smokedduck

Feeling those off season blues? Get a little taste of season and tune in for Duck Camp Dinners S2 Ep. 3 as the DCD crew finds success in the duck blind out in Venice, Louisiana. Available on our YouTube or at the link in our bio. #duckcampdinners #waterfowlhunting #duckhunting

Hard to pass up the opportunity for a good seafood fry at the duck camp, especially when soft shell crabs are on the menu! Whats a go to recipe for you and your buddies at hunting camp? S2 Ep.2 of Duck Camp Dinners is up, check it out for some good times at the duck camp and some incredible camp recipes. #duckcampdinners #softshellcrab #campcooking

Got a bird you’d like to mount but don’t want to waste the meat? A good friend of the DCD crew @jeffdeblieux shows us how to skin out a bird that’s taxidermist ready while saving all the meat. You can catch the full tutorial on S2 Ep. 1 of Duck Camp Dinners live now on our YouTube. #duckcampdinners #waterfowltaxidermy #waterfowlhunting

The last episode of DCD S1 is up! Head to our YouTube to recap the final episode before we jump into S2. Don’t forget that Duck Camp Dinners S3 launches next month, premiering on @waypointtv and also available on the Split Reed YouTube. #duckcampdinners #louisiana #duckhunting

Putting waterfowl hunting stereotypes to rest one gumbo at a time. Check out S1 Ep. 5 of Duck Camp Dinners on our YouTube and learn how to turn Pouldeau, or Coots, into a delicious meal your whole camp can get behind. #duckcampdinners #wildgamecooking #waterfowlhunting

The Taxman strikes again 🦅 Duck Camp Dinners S1 Ep. 4 is live on our YouTube. Don’t forget to mark your calendars for mid August for the launch of Duck Camp Dinners S3 premiering on Waypoint TV and available next day on the Split Reed YouTube channel. #duckcampdinners #taxman #waterfowl

Hope everyone had a great 4th of July/weekend, if the Sunday Scaries are creeping up on you tune in to S1 Ep.3 of Duck Camp Dinners on the Split Reed YouTube to take the edge off. Watch the DCD team hunt ducks, learn about the changing ecosystems of coastal Louisiana and a brunch/cocktail recipe you won’t want to miss out on. #duckcampdinners #waterfowlhunting #louisiana

Duck Camp Dinners S1Ep.2 is live on our YouTube! Tune in as we follow along with season 1&2 until the premiere of season 3 this August! #duckcampdinners #waterfowlhunting #duckcamp

Season 1 Ep.1 of Duck Camp Dinners is live on the Split Reed YouTube channel! Episodes from season 1&2 will drop every M,W,F as we lead up to the launch of Duck Camp Dinners season 3 this August. So stay tuned, follow along and remember, shoot straight and come hungry. #duckcampdinners #duckcamp #waterfowl

Chasing everything from waterfowl and upland birds to big game with his family growing up, Ty Hockett was born an avid hunter right from the start. Life would soon change for Ty when, at 17 years old, he was involved in a car accident that caused a spinal cord injury. Soon after that accident he was diagnosed as a C5 quadriplegic. Fast forward 14 years and Ty has more than adapted to a new way of life and remains a dedicated and passionate hunter. For Ty, hunting isn’t a sport. It’s a way of life, one he’s vowed to continue until the day he dies. Adaptive Pursuit is now streaming on YouTube, head over to the Split Reed channel to watch now! Browning onX Hunt Mossy Oak

Got ‘em roosted, time to plan the morning stock. Some funny looking turkeys but I bet they’ve got big ‘ol spurs. 🎥: (midwest_whitetails_1 IG) #turkeyseason #canadagoose #waterfowl #turkeyhunting

Duck and goose bands that aren’t taken from birds shot in the Fall can sometimes be found on deceased birds along roadsides, ditches, ponds, etc. Waterfowl hunters are ever vigilant, especially in the spring, for dead birds that may just be banded. For decoy carver & waterfowl hunter Luke Costilow, this became a reality but as he inspected the bird-and discovered the band-his demeanor changed from excitement to shock. “I've never ever heard of anyone finding one like this. Not saying that means it's not rare, but has to mean something. Definitely bittersweet, every hunter has the fantasy of finding a dead goose and it being banded, but the shock of it dieing while laying eggs sucked. From what it sounds like, odds are it was egg bound and died of internal bleeding. Bad way to go... Found her floating not to far from a nest, so it adds up. A lot of people said it could be the gasses pushing the egg out, but the veterinarians I've talked to said that was unlikely”. - Luke Costilow

One of these things is not like the other! 🦌 “Every spring , primarily during the month of March, commonly over 300,000 cranes per night will use the shallow sandbars of the Platte River between Lexington and Grand Island as their preferred roosting area. This is one of those sandbars. As, I was photographing the morning crane madness this young whitetail buck sauntered through the crane biomass. It was quite the sight.” -Doug Steinke #sandhillcrane #waterfowl #waterfowlhunting

Not necessarily the bird you’re expecting to come in while out in the turkey woods… Nick Palombi and his buddy were set up on some strutters when this goose decided to pay them a visit. “We were turkey hunting a piece of property with a pond on it and set up on three strutters in a wood line on the back side of the property for cover. While we were working the birds the geese swam their way to the bank and walked to the wood line. One stayed feeding in the grass and the other one worked his way into the woods and hung out with us for about 30 mins. He was very comfortable as you can see letting me buddy pet him. Shortly after he worked his way back to the other goose and they flew off about 15 mins after that”. #turkeyhunting #waterfowl #canadagoose #turkeyseason

The Juvis won’t even let you park your truck this year. Batten down the hatches down south, it could be a good one! @jacobdlang_