Bird Dog Training. Anyone else getting ready for upland season?

[12 Volt Man]

I needed to get out with Cooper. He just turned one year old last week, and I am trying to have him ready for his first NSTRA trial next month. I picked up a few pen raised quail and a couple of pheasant hens. I headed out this morning at 5 a.m. for my dads property. It is about 150 miles each way, but well worth the trip. I also needed to post the property for the upcoming hunts.

My pup hasn't been on a whole lot of birds yet. I live in the suburbs of Salt Lake City and that makes it a little tough to train alot.

Cooper did great. He gave me some fantastic Points and even held steady to Wing and Shot a couple of times. His retrieves were all to hand. There was one quail that he had trouble with because I only wounded it. It was still alive and flapping wings when he tried the retrieve. He wasn't sure what to do.

I really like this first picture. It was sure a pretty point.

Another Point. Not quite so pretty, but very intense.

Here's his first pheasant retrieve.

I also ran him a little for some wild birds. We did get into a couple of Roosters, but they flushed wild before the point.

It was a great day!

 

[TrapperReady]

Getting ready here. Of course, my pheasant-hunting buddy is an 8 year-old mutt. He kinda points. He kinda flushes. It all depends upon whether the bird decides to sit tight or run. He'll retrieve if the bird is stone-cold dead. If it isn't, he'll drop it and look at me like I'm an idiot.

Our training this summer has consisted largely of him lying around the backyard in the shade ignoring the mourning doves at the bird feeder.

However, every time I put a shotgun in the car (usually to shoot trap), he tries to climb in after it... so I think he'll be ready when the season starts.

Now if I could just train him to get me a beer...

BTW, that's one good-looking dog ya' got there!

 

[TJC]

Yup, getting ready here too. Even though the state season doesn't open until Nov 13, the private preserves open Sept 1. I'll be taking the Drahthaars out to get a bit of practice in before the state season opens.

I don't know how much my old gal will be going this year though. She's moving quite a bit slower these days, hips are getting worst and she's losing muscle tone. But she still wants to do it. I'll take her as much as possible until she is hurting, then she'll get rest even if she doesn't want it.
The young "knothead" is another story. She's 27 months old and doesn't know she is suppose to get tired. We've been doing our back yard training for commands and fetching, but she's ready to hit the birds.
She did real well last year as a year and a half old pup. She's been hunting since she was 6 mos old.

Can't wait, although the private places are going to conflict with our early bow hunting season. I gues I'll just have to do both.

 

[TaxPhd]

My Gordon, "Max the Wonder Dog" can hardly wait. He definately knows the season is upon us.

Our new pointer pup, Highcountry Sue (granddaughter of the former 2004 Nat'l champ, Miller's Online) is quite eager. We expect her to tear up the fall trials here in CO.

My partner and I run a pretty motley string of dogs - Shorthairs, Pointers, Britts, and the Gordon. If you run into us in CO, OK, TX, or AZ, you will probably know it's us. So come on over and say Hi!



Scott