Gun Dog TV Season 3 Episode 9 Ice Dogs and Ducks

Gun Dog TV is an American reality television series that revolves around showcasing the hunting and training skills of various gun dogs, particularly retrievers. In season 3, episode 9, titled "Ice Dogs and Ducks," the show presents an exciting hunting expedition of two avid hunters and their well-trained retrievers that takes place in the beautiful, frozen wilderness of Saskatchewan in Canada.

The episode starts with the show's hosts, Steve Snell and Rick Van Etten, setting on an ice-cold adventure to the frozen tundras on their snowmobiles, braving the freezing temperatures as they look for the perfect spot to hunt ducks. In this episode, Steve and Rick are accompanied by their loyal companions, a golden retriever named Franchi, and a yellow Lab named Tex. The two dogs are highly trained, eager to please, and all set to embark on their mission to retrieve the ducks.

As they progress deeper into the frozen tundras, the hunters come across a picturesque river that offers the perfect setting for their hunt. The team sets up their spread for the day, ensuring a successful hunt. Steve and Rick meticulously prepare their guns and set up a makeshift blind, all the while keeping in sync with their dogs' movements.

Steven Snell takes the first shot, and the team jubilantly watches as Tex plunges into the freezing river and brings the first bird of the day, a beautiful mallard drake, to his master. After this initial success, the team settles into the hunting groove, with Franchi, and Tex tirelessly retrieving downed birds from the freezing waters.

The hunters encounter their first hurdle when several flocks of ducks surprisingly fly overhead, and the dogs must stand down to prevent attacking. It is a testament to the extensive and proper training the dogs have undergone in handling difficult situations. The hosts commend the dogs' reliability and obedience to hand signals as they patiently wait for the next flock.

The men and their gun dogs soon complete a plethora of complex retrieves, some involving the dogs' swimming through dangerously cold water and ice to retrieve downed birds. Rick Van Etten describes the dogs' cold-water work as "doing the job in a hostile environment." The team's excellent teamwork, steady aim, and post-shot dog control are on full display throughout the episode.

As the sun sets and the freezing twilight looms, the hunters bag their final bird of the day and return to their base camp. The episode ends with the team celebrating a successful hunt, thanking their loyal companions for their incredible hard work and quality training.

Overall, "Ice Dogs and Ducks" offers a thrilling and heartwarming experience for the entire family. The episode is a perfect example of the type of adventures that Gun Dog TV provides, its hosts, and their exceptionally trained dogs, taking the viewers on a fantastic hunting expedition in the beautiful wilderness of Canada. Every hunting enthusiast would relish this episode as it demonstrates the importance of proper training, teamwork, and hunting etiquette with their faithful companions.