I thought they were bred for turkey hunting to go bust up flocks and hide in a gunny sack while they called the turkeys back in.

That was one of major ways they were utilized. They fit well in the little boats that were used hunt waterfowl in the eastern swamps and lowlands. Quail hunting was a major influence there as well.

If you are buying a dog to duck hunt, get a lab.

If there's just an occasional hunt, I'm sure a Boykin would do.

I've found that most high drive labs can be decent Upland dogs too. They aren't going to point much, but working alongside a pointer become invaluable in marshy conditions and on retrieving in thick stuff. I've got two buddies I pheasant hunt with and both have pointers and those combined with my lab makes for some of the best dog work.

Love my Boykin, but he can be a little crazy at times.. good duck and dove dog, but can’t take the extreme cold weather..

I've got a Boykin and We are BEST BUDDIES!!.. He's a good Dove Retriever....Pheasant Flusher....Tractor rider.....mower rider.....ALSO-----can here a Spider Fart Outside at 40 steps and will let you know there's Something out there!!!! He loves th' water.....but NO they're not mean't for th' usual BEST days of Duck Huntin' when th' lows are 18 and th' highs are 38!!

I’ve always had labs but wanted a change. I hunt Arkansas 45-50 days during duck season so waterfowl will be our primary focus. We are well into training and have a firm grasp on everything leading up to including left right backs and overs. She isn’t as robotic as a lab but still handles well. I’ve put her on some deer and will be doing more blood trailing work soon. I’ve got to find time to do some upland work as well. She does point every bird in the yard so I think it’ll be a smooth transition with her rock solid obedience. Time will tell

I havent duck hunted south of northeast arkansas. I guess that is too far north because Ive never seen a boykin in the field. Poodles and water spaniels are the oddballs ive been around. But mostly labs and several chessies (like mine).
My chessie really wants to be an upland dog and was pointing out birds when he was young without training. Too bad there arent any quail around anymore because I think I could have made him into a good upland dog.

There was a guy in Florence wanting to rehome a Boykin that’s as a great duck dog in warm weather. He’s getting a lab he says

The guys I know don’t have problems with cold weather and their Boykins.

I guess flip a coin

I've seen my Boykins, and my Cockers, break a skim of ice to swim figure 8s in January in Mentone. They are both crazy about the water. Very stylish enthusiastic retrieves off the pier. That said, i wouldn't dream of working them alongside my brother's Labs or Chessies in Arkansas. What a Lab will take as just a day's work will kill one of these dogs. At 35 libs vs 65-70, the body mass just isn't there to maintain heat, particularly when you start talking 200 yard swimming retrieves.

As said before pretty versatile and wonderful companions. Ours has lots of prey drive and very smart.