Dash was actually supposed to be my daughter’s dog, but he’s an incredible bird dog. So while she’s in school, I make sure he stays busy. He’s essential and dogs in general are the best part of the hunt. It’s really incredible what they can do. A dog’s nose is so powerful that they’ll sniff out something we would never find ourselves. They’re also a great conservation tool because they make sure that every duck that goes down is accounted for. And honestly, the only person you never have to worry about being late is your dog — they’ll never stand you up.

I always bring his dog blind with us when we go out for a hunt. It has a shoulder strap to make it easy to carry around and a mesh bottom so the water that comes off him can drain out. The blind is set up in a safe place, away from any guns, and it keeps him hidden from the birds. It’s also his “place,” the spot he knows he needs to be. If I’m setting decoys in the water in the early morning, I don’t have to worry about him running off somewhere because he’s in his blind and won’t leave unless told to.