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Hunting Glossary

HuntingNet.com has comprised a database of many of these phrases and their definitions to help you gain a better understand of hunting terminology.

The hunting world is filled with a variety of different terms and phrases that may mean one thing to a seasoned veteran but make no sense whatsoever to someone who is just starting out.

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Search Results

Pattern Field Search:

A series of bumpers placed in the same location every time, generally in the shape of a (t) or a double (t) where two lines, separated by 40 - 50 yards intersect the centerline. Used to teach handling skills to dogs.

Patterns/Pattern Blinds Search:

The drills used in teaching a dog to handle. Usually occurs during the transition stage and are used for confidence

Paunch Search:

A paunch is another word for a filled stomach. The deer has a paunch after it has quickly eaten several pounds of food. The deer then rests quietly as it chews its cud, which is regurgitated back up from where it is stored in the paunch.

Pedicle Search:

A bony growth protruding from the head of bucks. The antlers begin growing from the pedicle. Although the antlers are shed every year, pedicles remain on the buck throughout his life.

Pedigree Search:

- This is the written record of a dog’s ancestry of the dog showing titles and achievements of each generation, depicting 3 generations or more. The American Kennel Club and the United Kennel Club registers dog breeds and provides the ancestry or the pedigree of each puppy registered. Pedigrees can be as simple as three generations ie: grandparents to an eight to nine generation pedigree. The rule of thumb is to view the achievements of the parents and grandparents in order to see where your puppy may have potential to excel.

Peep Sight Search:

Used as the rear sight of a gun is used. The peep sight is placed on or in the bowstring and the sight pins and target are viewed through the peep. Sight pins should be centered in the peep. Small peeps help you gain accuracy but don't let a lot of light in. Hunters generally apt for larger diameter peeps.

Pelage Search:

Another name for coat.

Pelt Search:

The coat once it is skinned from the animal. Animals such as wolves, fox, bobcat,etc. are killed for their pelts.

PennHip Search:

An alternative registry/database to OFA. This method utilizes a "predictive test" testing the "play" or joint looseness by manipulating a joint to measure looseness. While not a commonly accepted as the OFA, PennHip is considered by some advocates to be more predictive of future issues. PennHip scores ratings on a "living percentile" rating current tests against the existing database of previously analyzed animals.

Pheromone Search:

Chemicals given off from animals that serve as communication methods.

Photoperiod Search:

Based on the amount of sunlight in the day, animals begin to produce hormones to get ready for breeding.

Pick Up Search:

The process of a dog picking up the bird. Or, it can also be to pick up a dog that is working at a trial and remove him from the line and competition.

Pile Search:

A group of bumpers used in a training exercise. The bumpers should be placed far enough apart that the dog picks up the first one it comes to without looking through the rest of the pile, and then will quickly return to the handler.

Piloerection Search:

A process by which the deer stays warmer in winter. The deer will contract tiny muscles all over it’s skin, which raises the hair on it’s body. These raised hairs trap air pockets, which provide a layer of insulation for the deer.

Pin Search:

When a dog runs directly to the fall and picks up the item with out a hunt.

Pit blinds Search:

A small trench in the earth that serves as a ground blind.

Pituitary Search:

The main hormone producing gland of the deers’ bodies, it also has the jobs of controlling antler growth and stimulating the onset of estrus, etc.

Plumage Search:

The collective feathers on birds.

Poaching Search:

Killing animals illegally, whether it is off season or the animals are endangered.

Pointing Lab Search:

(PL) A lab that points at birds during an upland hunt instead of flushing them as regular labs (RL) do.

Poison Bird Search:

A mark the dog must ignore until after he completes the assigned task, usually a blind retrieve. It is fairly common in the FT and upper levels of HT games to see this concept. It’s call "poison" because it is considered a failure to retrieve the mark while attempting to get the blind. If the dog picks up the poisoned bird before getting the blind, it is out of the competition.

Poor Man’s Double Search:

Two marks are thrown in opposite directions from a single gun station. This is similar to a fountain double and has also been called a “Maw & Paw” or “Mama-Papa.”

Pop Search:

When a dog stops and looks back to the handler for guidance or direction without being commanded by a whistle. Not a desirable trait

Pope and Young Search:

A system of scoring animals killed by bow and arrow.

Population density Search:

The number of deer in certain areas. If many deer live in a certain area, the population density is high. If only a few deer live around an area, population densities are low.

Portable stand Search:

A portable stand is a stand that is smaller in size. This is good for a hunter who can easily move or take down the stand within their own discretion. They are popular in states that do not allow permanent stands for hunting on state land.

Pre-orbital gland Search:

Gland in whitetails that functions as tear gland.

Pre-rut Search:

The period before the rut when deer are preparing for breeding. Deer become easily agitated and aggressive during this period. Bucks undergo a great change by shedding their velvet and engaging in sparring matches to establish dominance.

Predators Search:

Any animal which sustains itself by feeding off other animals. Common predators of the whitetail deer include mountain lions, wolves, and coyotes.

Premium Search:

A notice sent out by the Club holding an event. This notice usually includes the time/date/place of stakes being held, entry cost, Judges names, directions and other information concerning the event.

Preorbital gland Search:

Gland in deer located in front of the eye, used to rub on overhanging twigs and branches for social reasons.

Professional Search:

One who derives any portion of their income from the training of dogs.

Prolactin Search:

The hormone in does that regulates milk production.

Pump-Action Search:

This type of gun fires one shell, ejects its casing and chambers the next with each “pump” or slide of the fore-end back and forth. This gun jams less frequently than a semi-automatic.

Punch Bird Search:

A term used to identify the placement of a longer mark in relation to the other marks in the field. A triple is thrown, the first is 100 yards away, the second is 200 yards away, and the third is 125 yards away. The second mark is called a "punch bird" because the dog must go short, then short, then long and "punch" through the short bird marks.

Putt Search:

A high pitched type of call the turkey emits when confronted with danger.