My 2025/2026 Picking-Up Season Recap
There’s something special about a Winter morning at the start of the picking-up season, cold air hanging low over fields, damp grass, frost and three eager dogs vibrating with anticipation before the first shot is even fired, desperate to be loaded in the truck, watching my collect gear to load up, knowing exactly what we are about to do. Their love for the sport, their love to work and to watch them do what they love makes me feel a happiness so pure
This season wasn’t perfect. It wasn’t tidy. There were sore legs, muddy jackets, mud everywhere really and a few injuries.
But it was honest, hardworking and full of heart, the kind of season you remember long after the mud washes off and at the centre of it all were Hudson, Hunter and Scout.
Hudson — The Tough Old Pro
Hudson’s season could easily be summed up in one word
Grit.
He seemed to spend half the season battling cut paws. Every time we’d get one healed, another would open up, stubble, wire, frozen ground… he just couldn’t seem to get a break
There were days I wondered if we should pull him out altogether.
But Hudson never gives up, out comes the first aid bag, clean and wrap his foot which I have now become a pro at then rest until it heals.
And when he came back to work, he was brilliant, like he never had time off! He is so unbelievably reliable and im not sure what I would do without him on my team
He’s become that dog everyone hopes to have at their side, steady, dependable and absolutely locked in when there’s game down. Quiet confidence. No drama. Just gets the job done.
His nose this year was something else. Birds that couldn’t be found? Hudson found them.
Time and time again he proved himself as an excellent game finder, methodical, patient and honest. No nonsense hunting, just clean, professional retrieves.
Reliability like that is gold.
He might have limped through parts of the season, but he still gave me one of his best years yet.
Hunter — Finding His Feet (and His Confidence)
If Hudson was the seasoned veteran, Hunter was the story of growth.
Early season he still had that “young dog” hesitation, second guessing himself, checking back, not always committing to the job.
But something clicked.
Little by little.
Drive got stronger.
Lines got straighter.
Confidence grew.
By mid-season he wasn’t just tagging along, he was earning his place.
There’s nothing better than watching a dog realise:
“I can do this.”
He started attacking retrieves with purpose and carrying himself like he belonged out there. Fewer mistakes, more independence and that lovely spark of enthusiasm that makes training fun.
Honestly, he feels like a dog that’s just about to break through.
Next season? I think he’s going to surprise me. In a good way.
Scout — The Small Shadow
And then there’s Scout.
The baby.
Still all legs, ears and curiosity.
This wasn’t really his season to work, it was his season to learn.
So mostly he watched.
Watched Hudson hunt.
Watched Hunter retrieve.
Watched everything.
You could almost see the little brain ticking.
Taking it all in.
He shadowed us everywhere, soaking up sights, sounds and smells. Shots, birds, whistles, other dogs, all becoming normal.
No pressure. No expectations.
Just experience.
And that’s exactly how it should be.
There’s something pretty special about seeing the start of a dog’s journey, knowing all the seasons still ahead of him.
Looking Back
This season wasn’t about numbers or big days.
It was about:
- Toughness
- Progress
- Learning
- Time together
Hudson proved heart beats injuries.
Hunter found belief.
Scout started his story.
And me?
I just got to walk behind three good dogs across frosty grass and muddy fields, watching them do what they love.
Hard to ask for more than that.
Here’s to healed paws, growing confidence and another shooting season just around the corner.