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At least you have a field bred Golden. I have a buddy that’s a pro trainer and he gets customers that bring in standard Goldens and ask him to train them too hunt 😂 I’ve seen a lot of real nice field bred goldens tho, they typically have a nice soft mouth and make great hunting dogs!

They did have a series on it a long time ago called bird dog wars. The rules have been more refined since then. It’s hard to keep any upland hunting shows on tv anymore as it is. A lot of animal rights groups don’t like it, and a limited viewership. That being said most guys use this as a way...

Yeah that sounds a little crappy, first off I’ve never been to one that planted birds under cardboard. The ones I’ve competed in plant them in the grass the same as a preserve. The dogs have to be good to find the birds. You’re normally sequestered so you don’t know where the birds are planted...

There’s a couple different leagues. The most common is NBDCA National Bird Dog Circuit, There is UCS which is Upland challenge series and some other groups in different parts of the country. Basically most use the same rules, normally consists of either Pheasants or Chukars planted in a field...

I would give my season a 9 in SE MN. Banged out my limit a handful of times, saw a ton of birds and shot more than I ever had in the past. Mostly thanks to good numbers and a great dog. I hope this tougher winter doesn’t hurt the population too much for next year. Anyways on to tournament...

Our group is very similar, normally 2 dog handlers per group of 4 or 5 kids. They all have done firearms safety to qualify, and they do a range trip in the morning of the hunt. The dog handlers and parents help the kids with safety and making sure the lines stay straight and kids are being safe...

Our local PF group does a youth hunt, and a DAV hunt every year that we guide in. I’ve been trying to get them to add a ladies hunt as well. It’s always a highlight of my year watching someone get a big smile when they shoot their first bird and the dog brings it back !

When I was younger and didn’t have a dog, I was typically short on almost all my marks. Now I just let the dog the work, I will mark the fall the best I can and not move after shooting. On the rare occasion my dog didn’t mark the bird, then I can run a good blind retrieve from my position. If I...

I can’t argue with that one 😜

He marked that bird. He ran straight for the fall, but judging marked distances is tougher in taller grass hence why I had to handle him the last 20 yds. He wanted to stop short and hunt. Trailing wouldn’t have been necessary on that bird as it dropped dead. If my dog didn’t handle then I would...

I’m pretty confident in my dog and his abilities, he will chew up 200yd marks all day in my training field but we had a crap shot on a bird in some 4 ft tall grass on public land this season. One of those shots you saw the bird just kind of flinch on the hit, it sailed 120yds and dropped like a...

Only time I’m lucky enough to hunt short grass is when I’m guiding on preserves or running in tournaments. Otherwise you’re in tall grass, or standing corn if you want birds around here.

I agree and I don’t to the portion about marking, yes most scenarios we are talking short marks unless it’s a winged bird that sails. But there is also a big difference between 150 yd HT/FT mark in short grass and a 30 yd mark on a crippled bird in a hunting field. You can train a dog to mark...

I’m not sure how much I believe in this “air wash “ theory. Birds are constantly leaving scent, no matter if they are dead or alive. A bird flying through the air is no different than wind blowing a birds scent cone downwind in my opinion. Your statement about the dog losing its mind would make...

My opinion a good cripple dog has to be fast and in shape, have an excellent nose, be a good marker and have confidence. I’ve seen out of shape slower dogs just get outrun by a wounded bird. My first ever lab I had when I was younger was an excellent flushing dog. But was a horrible marker, and...

Idk if there is technically an acceptable loss rate, I imagine it varies from hunter to hunter and the type of dogs they run or if they even have a dog. I would say you did well. Losing an occasional bird is inevitable and happens to everyone now and then. Some dogs are better at picking up...

Rob is a close friend of mine and lives just a few mins away from me. He trains a wide variety of breeds and is soft enough to handle a softer golden. Everyone I have sent his way has been very pleased with the results. Another good trainer closer to the cities if that is where the poster is...

I will throw out a few names as well. Adam Bally with Ballys Gun dogs, and Rob Ramer with Whitewater Retrievers. Both are excellent and include the owner in the training process as well. Based on this being a pheasant hunting forum, make sure whatever trainer you sign on with does some upland...

Hate to play devils advocate, but with a mixed background and lack of knowledge on the dog it might be far fetched to start training him as a bird dog right away. Shock collar is beyond what you need to start and you are getting ahead of yourself. If you want to see if he has potential see if...

I have the legacy version. I didn’t order any extras. For my style of hunting I like lightweight. The legacy holds plenty of shells, a couple of big bottles of water and a limit of birds with ease. The quality and comfort are what stands out when you wear it. You should be plenty happy with...