you always hear to not start pups in pheasants

[Shadow]

Don't worry Shadow. No grouse in them parts these days anyway.

we always believed the grouse had a 7 year cycle
my brother who had the good Golden laughed at me wanting to come up and challenge him- I came home before noon- mom made me breakfast- brother showed up an hour or so later-

mom opened the door- Jim came back with 4 you best go back out-

 

[Gatzby]

I will NEVER take one of my dogs to a game farm. No good can come of it.

Well, I take all my dogs as often as I can to game farms. And I am not ashamed Pheasant season is short, time is short, local birds are few, and multiple out of state liscenses become expensive. Putting dogs on birds is very important. Plus it is a hell of a lot more fun than than watching tv. Any time I can spend time in the field with my dogs is awesome.

 

[GSP]

The season doesn't have to be open to run your dog on wild birds. I was out this morning for a couple hours armed with a blank pistol.

 

[Gatzby]

The season doesn't have to be open to run your dog on wild birds. I was out this morning for a couple hours armed with a blank pistol.

I can't speak to MI law, but in MN you can not train dogs on Public land (DNR controlled) during certain months. I believe it is April 15 - July 12. Just an FYI

As a retreiver guy a live bird that flys away with a blank pistol report is a big no no. Bird + gunfire = retreive (EVERYTIME TIME).

Not trying to fight.

Steve

 

[GSP]

Yah, same here in MI. Quiet time is from April 15-July 8. We're already starting to find a woodcock nest here and there so this weekend will likely be the end of it for me.

I am guilty of not thinking of training from a flushing owner's perspective. Certainly a horse of a different color.

 

[Shadow]

The season doesn't have to be open to run your dog on wild birds. I was out this morning for a couple hours armed with a blank pistol.

agree 100%- you who think you can't go for a walk with your dog-
you really need to get off your high horse

very seldom in 30 some years have I taken my Britt's for a run without a 22 pistol strapped on my hip-

 

[quail hound]

Really Shadow? High horse? If not wanting to disturb nesting birds is a high horse then I guess I'm on it.

 

[Point!]

Wild birds make a dog that will work on wild birds.

I get mine on as many wild birds as possible as soon as they are big enough to handle the grass. I want to see what they've got and bring out their desire.

Training? Waiting 'til their old enough? Phooey! It depends on what you call training. IMO every time you're out with your young dog, you're training. Shooting over 'em, obedience, etc., that comes later. Heck, you can teach a cat to whoa. I want my dogs "out there" as soon as possible.

Do I ever use a pen raised bird at a young age? Yes, at some point when their size dictates, I put small pen raised quail with a wing clipped in with a few of the pups and let them maul it (and yes I have pointing dogs).

Formal training begins at a much, much, later date.

Only wild birds teach a dog about wild birds.

For all of you that answered this thread, you (we) aren't telling Shadow anything that he doesn't already know!

Point!

 

[Shadow]

Really Shadow? High horse? If not wanting to disturb nesting birds is a high horse then I guess I'm on it.

really- High Horse- you need to come off your horse- nobody- least me- is stating disturbing or pressuring ground nesting game birds- we are talking about taking your dog for a run where there might or might not be any birds-

if you can honestly say in all your life you have never gone on a walk with your or someone elses dog where there might be ground nesting birds-

ahhh- you stay completely out of all the fields, roadways, ditches, woods, waterways, ponds- because something may be nesting-

hats off to you- you are one of a kind-

oh- and if nothing ever disturbs ground nesting birds- such as possums, racoons. your cat, your dog, coyotes, and many other ground creaping creatures- you think those sheltered ground birds have any chance or survival- nature- a bit a pressure would seem fitting in real life

 

[Shadow]

Wild birds make a dog that will work on wild birds.

I get mine on as many wild birds as possible as soon as they are big enough to handle the grass. I want to see what they've got and bring out their desire.

Training? Waiting 'til their old enough? Phooey! It depends on what you call training. IMO every time you're out with your young dog, you're training. Shooting over 'em, obedience, etc., that comes later. Heck, you can teach a cat to whoa. I want my dogs "out there" as soon as possible.

Do I ever use a pen raised bird at a young age? Yes, at some point when their size dictates, I put small pen raised quail with a wing clipped in with a few of the pups and let them maul it (and yes I have pointing dogs).

Formal training begins at a much, much, later date.

Only wild birds teach a dog about wild birds.

For all of you that answered this thread, you (we) aren't telling Shadow anything that he doesn't already know!

Point!

good point Point

just hear not to start a young dog- just how young is young- cracks me up-
I couldn't get anyone who said a 4 month old Britt couldn't handle pheasants to come down and bet me last year- now mine are quite a bit older- so many are popping up now that I'm laughing-

 

[quail hound]

really- High Horse- you need to come off your horse- nobody- least me- is stating disturbing or pressuring ground nesting game birds- we are talking about taking your dog for a run where there might or might not be any birds-

if you can honestly say in all your life you have never gone on a walk with your or someone elses dog where there might be ground nesting birds-

ahhh- you stay completely out of all the fields, roadways, ditches, woods, waterways, ponds- because something may be nesting-

hats off to you- you are one of a kind-

oh- and if nothing ever disturbs ground nesting birds- such as possums, racoons. your cat, your dog, coyotes, and many other ground creaping creatures- you think those sheltered ground birds have any chance or survival- nature- a bit a pressure would seem fitting in real life

Thank-you sir I am one of a kind and you are not the first to tell me that. You will not find me in the field between mid March and the end of July because I think the birds have enough pressure with out me and my dog harassing them during nesting season. But hey, to each his own.:cheers:

 

[airmedic1]

Quail:

I also stay out of the field from mid April to the end of July. I take my dogs to a local lake but keep them on the damn and away from where upland birds will be nesting. I, like you, figure they have enough pressure from wild animals and other inconsiderate people without myself adding to it.
In Nebraska it's against the law to work your dog during nesting season on pubic areas. I don't think it is ever enforced, at least I have not heard of it but I know it's a law. I also don't know the exact dates since I have a self imposed time limit that I use.
Good luck to all of you who turn four month old pups loose on wild wounded roosters! Someday you will have a bad experience, may not be right away, but someday. I'm lucky my lab reacted the way she did, I can see how it could affect a dog. I've seen full grown GSP's that have had trouble with lightly wounded roosters.

 

[quail hound]

Quail:

I also stay out of the field from mid April to the end of July. I take my dogs to a local lake but keep them on the damn and away from where upland birds will be nesting. I, like you, figure they have enough pressure from wild animals and other inconsiderate people without myself adding to it.
In Nebraska it's against the law to work your dog during nesting season on pubic areas. I don't think it is ever enforced, at least I have not heard of it but I know it's a law. I also don't know the exact dates since I have a self imposed time limit that I use.
Good luck to all of you who turn four month old pups loose on wild wounded roosters! Someday you will have a bad experience, may not be right away, but someday. I'm lucky my lab reacted the way she did, I can see how it could affect a dog. I've seen full grown GSP's that have had trouble with lightly wounded roosters.

Very cool, I knew I wasn't "one of a kind" at least not on this issue. Here in California I can hunt one species of quail or another for almost 5 months straight. I think giving them a little peace during nesting season (at least from me and my dogs) is the least I could do for the birds who bring me so much enjoyment. For these few months I am content with hearing them whistle and watching their antics.:cheers:

 

[Shadow]

Quail:

Good luck to all of you who turn four month old pups loose on wild wounded roosters! Someday you will have a bad experience, may not be right away, but someday. I'm lucky my lab reacted the way she did, I can see how it could affect a dog. I've seen full grown GSP's that have had trouble with lightly wounded roosters.

please remember- my 2 pups I did because there aren't any quail arround here- and I wanted them to not miss going out hunting for a year-

that- and I never put them down unless with my big male- there wasn't much of a chance of a pup grabbing a live rooster that- and I don't shoot unless held till I flush- not much chance of a struggling rooster if one is concerned with only taking good shots that one is sure will kill- would think everyone who took a young dog hunting would feel the same

 

[quail hound]

please remember- my 2 pups I did because there aren't any quail arround here- and I wanted them to not miss going out hunting for a year-

that- and I never put them down unless with my big male- there wasn't much of a chance of a pup grabbing a live rooster that- and I don't shoot unless held till I flush- not much chance of a struggling rooster if one is concerned with only taking good shots that one is sure will kill- would think everyone who took a young dog hunting would feel the same

Shadow, I don't fault you at all for your decision. If I were in that position I would probably do the same. We may not agree on everything, but I know we agree on our love for good dog work and a bird on the wing. I would hunt with you in a second, but we would have to run the Britts and Springers separate so no one picks up any bad habits.:cheers:

 

[Shadow]

thanks- it's been many years since I've hunted with a flushing dog

 

[Eric77Bella310]

So is 12 month to work with birds

My pup was introduce to birds at 1 and 2 months. Then I have worked with the basic training for fetch heel whistle commands and such. She has a strong hunter drive to her but I am having hard time finding birds to get her to explore with. Do you order frozen pigeon wings or do most of you get live birds and raise them for training?

 

[oldandnew]

No substitute for live birds! Do what you have to, in order to get some. This is my shortest post ever.

 

[beaglebob1]

My pup was introduce to birds at 1 and 2 months. Then I have worked with the basic training for fetch heel whistle commands and such. She has a strong hunter drive to her but I am having hard time finding birds to get her to explore with. Do you order frozen pigeon wings or do most of you get live birds and raise them for training?

Try your local craigs list. You have folks selling pigeons and quail on there most of the time. If you lived closer I would give you some birds and loan you a couple manual launchers. good luck
bob:thumbsup:

 

[jannypan]

I don't hunt pigeons, pigeons are not hunted in the manner of upland birds, so I shy away from those with pointing dogs. Retrievers seem to be fine working pigeons. I would have no hesitation to train on pheasants, initially with some precautions to protect a young dog from spurring.