Bird Hunting Opportunities in Iowa Circa 1912

[OH Osthaus]

what about prairie chickens as a quarry?

i've seen many old articles about hunting trips for them back then and I think Iowa was a destination. And they are currently attempting restoration of the population

as for the dogs - i have not seen one in the field - but they must still be around

https://www.airedale.org/versatile-a...hunting-field/

"In the May 1909 issue of Country Life in America, Airedales were described as “having a very strong hunting instinct, with few dogs better equipped for shooting over in the cover or in the open. The Airedale’s speed, endurance, and imperviousness to climactic conditions fit him for bird hunting. He loves the water and can stay in it by the hour on the coldest winter day, making an ideal dog for snipe or to retrieve ducks and geese”. While traditional sporting breeds such as retrievers and spaniels shaped public perception of a “gun dog”, there have always been a number of fanciers who continued to use Airedales as bird dogs."

http://airedale.dcwdhosting.com/wp-c...d-Dog-News.pdf

[Bill Murphy]

My grandfather raised airedales as well as setters for hunting. I have pictures of him with his airedales and setters from just after 1900 to about 1910. Since he lived in Hazleton, PA, his available bird of choice would have been the ruffed grouse with pheasants only after a trip a bit south. Granddad probably never saw a bobwhite in the field. He was the proprietor of a saloon (café is the polite term used in his obituary late in prohibition) and a pigeon ring, so he didn't get out much.