By Mike Roche

The dog days or dog days of summer is an expression that dates way back in history. The hot, sultry days of summer in the northern hemisphere have historically been the period following the heliacal rising of the star system Sirius, which is known as the Dog Star.

Hellenistic astrology connected Sirius with heat, drought, sudden thunderstorms, lethargy, fever, mad dogs and bad luck. Today the phrase commonly refers to the hottest, most uncomfortable part of summer in the northern hemisphere. Given the last week of local weather, we are in the dog days! Tuesday’s violent storms, which produced a sudden deluge, strong winds (a report stated Orange Airport recorded 70 MPH winds), and spectacular lightning and peals of thunder, was certainly an unusually strong storm that was spawned by the oppressive humidity.

My initial topic of this week’s column was dogs and fishing. My four French Brittanys have been fishing dogs, each in their own way. Lily, the first, was passionate about fish and fishing and exhibited more excitement about fish than birds. She would stare for hours into a bucket of fish or minnows and prance excitedly next to anyone with a fishing pole in their hands. The second Epagneul Breton, as the breed is known, Dinah, was also very active around a fisherman and would ‘point’ when a fish was hooked and follow intently as the fish was landed. On more than one occasion she fell off the dock (or boat) in her excitement.

Laney, who followed Dinah and is now eight, is also interested but not so intrusive and 2-year-old to be Tessie is also interested but under control. Recent fishing trips trolling for crappie, perch, bluegills and the occasional bass have resulted in the two dogs focused on the livewell or any fish on the line. They have all been good company on the dock or in the boat.

Water retrieves were Lily’s specialty and her leaps off the dock would probably have qualified her for competition. The more recent additions are not so passionate, although Dinah does enjoy retrieving thrown dummies. Tessie saves her energy for retrieving birds and she will swim for hours when feathers are involved.

All that brings me to a realization that it is well past time for serious dog training to begin. So many distractions and other commitments have kept me from getting started in work preparing the dogs for hunting season. That begins with repetitive yard work, where simple commands are repeated until “whoa,” “heel,” “stay” and “come” are absolute. Both dogs also could use retrieving work as they have been ‘reprogrammed’ to retrieve what they want when they want. It is up to me to incorporate daily work and progressively move things forward. Dog training is something which requires consistency and discipline by the trainer to set and reach goals. At this point I am disappointed that it has taken me so long to get engaged with training, but there is ample time and most of the distractions are behind me.

There also needs to be focus on my training and diet and exercise are not just important for the dogs. This old body also needs conditioning, as does my shooting eye. Time to reload some ammo and break some clays in advance of the hunting season. Both the Orange Gun Club and Petersham Gun Club have trap – Orange on Tuesdays and Petersham on Fridays and Petersham has sporting clays on Sundays. My Champion Whirlybird portable thrower is ready and waiting. It is also time to schedule my travel and New York, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine all beckon with local Massachusetts covers waiting. Reports from New England are quite promising with production of grouse and woodcock appearing to be above average and certainly better than last fall, when spring rains seemed to have a negative impact on production.

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This might be the year for this writer to try someplace new and the debate that I am having with myself is whether I am willing to drive six to eight hours to get to a destination. The negative is losing hunting days to driving, but if the hunting is very good that makes it worthwhile. After listening to those who regularly drive to northern New England or even to Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota, there is serious temptation to try that once as a bucket list check-off. After years of being spoiled by the outstanding hunting in upstate New York and the hospitality of a good friend, it might be time to diversify. The dogs are willing. Too bad they can’t share the driving!

Hopefully some leads on places in northern New Hampshire and Maine will pan out and plans can be made soon. Hunting season can sneak up on you. My situation requires some planning, but you rarely regret what you do, but often regret what you did not do. If the heat and humidity does not wear me down it will be onward and upward. Enjoy each day, these are the days we wish for all winter!

Mike Roche is a retired teacher who has been involved in conservation and wildlife issues his entire life. He has written the Sportsman’s Corner since 1984 and has served as advisor to the Mahar Fish’N Game Club, counselor and director of the Massachusetts Conservation Camp, former Connecticut Valley District representative on the Massachusetts Fisheries and Wildlife Board, has been a Massachusetts Hunter Education Instructor and is a licensed New York hunting guide. He can be reached at mikeroche3@msn.com.