Time to get the hunting dogs out in the field

You know hunting season is fast approaching when the owners of labs, retrievers and spaniels begin talking about getting their dogs out into the woods.

Such was the case last weekend as about 30 members of the Long Island Retriever Field Trial Club (LIRFTC; www.lirftc.com) gathered at the Otis Pike Preserve in Calverton for their annual fall season Hunt Test. The club, which welcomes new members, is the oldest Field Trial Club in the country and hosts events under both American Kennel Club and United Kennel Club guidelines.

"We all enjoy the trials," said club member Dan Johnson of East Patchogue, "but we also have meetings, trainings and get-togethers throughout the year. It's a fun group of dedicated dog handlers and you don't need any experience to join and get involved."

The hunt trials involved both marking drills, where the dog watches as two targets are set afield, and blind drills, where the dog does not know where targets have been placed.

In both cases, each dog relies on a combination of instructions from its handler, scent and intuition as it traverses field and water to retrieve the targets and complete its task. Dogs are scored on marking prowess, perseverance, handling and trainability.

Sunday's test was simply a pass/fail event in which six of 14 entries made the grade. Afterward, everyone seemed to be all smiles, regardless of individual results.

"That's the point," explained David Krackow of Mount Sinai. "Most of us simply enjoy handling our dogs. I got involved because my son, Zachery, loved working our lab. I don't hunt, but I'm hooked. It's very technical and there's plenty to learn. It's really quite rewarding."

If you do hunt, and hope to reward yourself with a successful season ahead, the time for preparation is now. Bowhunting opens Oct. 1 on Long Island, which leaves little time to sharpen your aim if you haven't started practicing already.

Fishing still hot

On the fishing front, porgies and sea bass continue to delight anglers working wrecks and mussel-encrusted bottom along the north and south shores.

Bluefish seem furious in the middle reaches of Long Island Sound, although they are still tentative along the beaches, and false albacore have finally arrived in decent numbers at Montauk Point and Shinnecock Inlet.

Events and contests

The 13th Annual Montauk Surf Contest is slated for Sept. 24-26. Targeting stripers and blues, the popular event is hosted by New York State Parks and The Fisherman magazine. You can register in Montauk at Paulie's Bait & Tackle or Johnny's Tackle Shop, up to 10 a.m. on Sept. 25. The entry fee is $15. For information, contact 631-345-5200 ext. 209.

If blackfish are one of your favorite fall targets, you'll want to catch the Sept. 30 seminar presented by Captain Rich Tenreiro at Louie's Oyster Bar and Grill in Port Washington. The fee is $20 and festivities begin at 6 p.m. Call 917-301-3237 for details.

The Friends of Caleb Smith State Park Preserve will host a fly fishing tournament for trout at the park on Oct. 16. On Oct. 23, world-famous fly fishing expert Lefty Kreh will be at the park giving a seminar and casting lessons. Reservations are limited for both events. Call 631-584-513 for information.

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