For this hunting family, bird dogs will forever be cherished members

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“Hunt ’em up!” In hunting dog speak, those are words of unconditional love, unwavering encouragement for pointers, flushers, retrievers and hounds to do what they were born to do. It’s my gentle pet pep talk, cheering on my best friends as they pursue their innate infatuation with wide-open hunting spaces and the scent of game.

I’ve been hunting ’em up with English setters for more than half my life. My first four setters now hunt the happy hunting grounds in the sky, but their genetics live on in my current pair. One is in his absolute prime, and the other recently began nursing her whelping box full of hunting futures.

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A litter of puppies begins a new leash on life for hunting families such as mine. Long before new bird dogs learn about their role in the woods, they first discover a place in our hearts. Dogs are fondly written into the most memorable chapters in our book of life, especially those breeds that will hunt a dozen Decembers by your side. That first buck, bull or boar are all hunting firsts that push us even harder in our personal outdoor journeys. But the sweetest hunting first of all is that first bird taken over the point of a young dog.

Dogs are fondly written into the most memorable chapters of our lives

In my house, sleeping setters awaken at the subtle sound of a key unlocking the gun cabinet door. Their ears are as sharp as their nose. And the mere sight of my upland game vest only affirms what they heard is true—it’s time to hunt ’em up! Tail-twirling enthusiasm goes on for kilometres on end in our pursuit of ruffed grouse and woodcock, and when my dogs stop figure-eighting through the softwoods ahead, I’m confident one is on point. Now it’s my turn to deliver. The gun goes up and the bird comes down. Then the only thing louder than the 12-gauge is my lofty praise: “Good dog!”

In July, contributor Robert Pye’s youngest English setter, Poppy, gave birth to eight healthy puppies.

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