Has anyone volunteered to be a Guide at a Lodge

K

KsHusker

Active member
I just cant seem to get my dog onto enough birds the past couple years. I love hunting and dont mind traipsing around all day to see a couple birds but the problem is now that my dog has had limited bird contacts the past couple of years she seems to have gone backwards a bit.

She is going to be 5 in March and when she was 2.5 or so (woulda been 2010 season) it seems that was her best season. Bird contacts were plentiful and she was starting to learn how to handle running birds etc.

I took this dog from a pup who was so timid she got scared and wouldnt run in grass that was over her head to a bird crazy fiend in those 2.5 years. The following year I also got her enough prairie chicken contacts that she was holding/pointing them as well.

I havent intentionally prairie chicken hunted yet but am going to Saturday. The weather will be to my liking so I will she how she does then.

But my problems so far this year is that she is not handling running birds very well and I also think she tends to get bored and will start pointing meadowlarks. Ive also unfortunately got plenty of mice points to go along with a couple rabbit points as well. I seem either to get a stellar day out of her (I had one freak day where I got into more birds than I could count and nearly got a limit in a couple hours) or I just have a really bad day or something in between.

Id like to develop some consistency and feel the guiding aspect might work. I just need an environment where bird contacts are plentiful and not too far apart and not measured in 2 per 6-8 hours of hunting like Ive been experiencing at times. Found a place within an hour of here and called the guy...he seemed open to it.


Anyways, sorry for getting long winded, but our time is limited with our dogs as you know, would like to spend some quality time in the field instead of the ever present nature walks I seem to be going on. Id also like to figure out if shes a complete dud (I dont think she is but sometimes I want to slap my head in frustration...but just feel its due to a complete lack of bird contacts the past 2-3 years)

So have any of you volunteered to be a guide somewhere? Did you ask for any money -- maybe a portion of the tip money to at least cover your fuel etc? I figured that'd be fair but wanted others opinions?

And hey- if you know of a place within an hour or so of Wichita that would be open to this Id appreciate it if you PM me.

I may seem a little down on my dog but Im probably mine and her worst critic. I dont over discipline or anything like that, I just know that if i want a good solid dog (at least what I consider one) I need more bird contacts. She did pretty damn good a couple years ago. Just seems I may have lost her to boredom and am also suffering from a complete lack of game. I've only found one of these pockets we all speak of but that was a once a year only hunt. Not able to go back to the place again this year unfortunately. The other I know of I plan on making another trip to but it requires a 2-3 day trip to make it worth my time due to the distance.


Thanks BTW Ive got a setter. Used to have two but had to put her mother to sleep April of last year.
 
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A game farm may be the answer for you...inexpensive (chuckers) could offer some action for your dog. Unless your dog is exceptional, I doubt if a "lodge" would consider having you as a guide; often they have dogs of their own that customers can use.

A continual exposure to hunting and birds is ideal. We're at the end of the season (MN.SD) so you don't have lots of options...
 
jonnyB said:
A game farm may be the answer for you...inexpensive (chuckers) could offer some action for your dog. Unless your dog is exceptional, I doubt if a "lodge" would consider having you as a guide; often they have dogs of their own that customers can use.

A continual exposure to hunting and birds is ideal. We're at the end of the season (MN.SD) so you don't have lots of options...
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I live in KS and I dont fancy the idea of paying someone a couple hundred a day to shoot pen raised birds nor do I have the budget to do so.

But when we walk all day and for the most part see nothing she loses her focus at times and can get a bit too excited when we finally do catch some bird scent which is what we've been up against in KS the past 2 years. Never thought Id be like a woodcock or grouse hunter and actually count a successful day in the # of birds seen which sometimes and a lot of times can not be counted on both hands.

I'll give a demo to the lodge if needed and Im confident there'd be no problem. Plus if someone is super picky with someone willing to work virtually for free or tip money to cover fuel I dont see how they lose out on the deal.

Our preserve season runs until March 31
 
I had an offer to do it a few years ago, was never really that interested in baby sitting corporate dudes who don't really hunt. Never called the guy. I certainly wouldn't use my dog on one of those hunts.

Would suggest finding a fairly priced preserve and guide your buddies or take some kids. Preserves are popping up everywhere. You might be able to buy some and plant them yourself somewhere. Could keep hunting wild birds until the end of the season then go the preserve route also.

Seems like you want to keep your dog into birds, guiding for lodge probably isn't what your looking for.

Unfortunately bird hunting is extra tough this year in KS.
 
Look forward to hearing about your "lodge/Preserve" guiding experiences - be sure to post opportunities you've found. Good luck!

Forgot to mention: The first yearfor my Golden I walked the dog (no gun) on a preserve 25 miles from my home. The idea was to have the dog into birds and to practice the right range.

The"preserve" offered this to me free, although I did pay them a small stipend, as it was worth it; good exercise for me and good experience for the dog. I did this when no other hunters were around...
 
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My uncle owns a preserve, and when wild bird season is closed I guide for him quite a bit. I really enjoy it, it extends the season for the dogs. I always feel really fortunate for the extra work it gives my dogs. I would say if the hunter offers a tip, then it would be all yours. You have to know going in to it that some guys aren't going to tip and some guys are very generous. I just try to always look at it as I am getting bird work for my dogs. One thing to be cautious about is some people have never shot over dogs, and you want to be very clear with your expectations. My dogs are part of my family and live in the house with my family, so I am very protective of them. I would recommend for your first hunts taking out smaller parties, like 1 or 2 guys. Remember when you are guiding that you are working your dog and you are in charge of the hunters also. It is your job to keep yourself, the dogs and the hunters safe. Often times you need to tell the hunters where to stand when you flush the birds, and where their shooting lanes are.

Would you be able to use any of the preserves kennel dogs? It is always a good idea to have plenty of dogs on hand. I always ad 2 or 3 of my uncles kennel dogs to my trailer. 90% of the time my three dogs can handle a hunt, but you don't want to be out there and not have enough dog power if something isn't going right. Remember these guys pay for a service and if you get out there and your dog isn't having a good day or just gets tired, the guy paying still wants to hunt the birds he's paid for. You have to make the customer happy or it looks bad on you and the preserve.

I would say give it a try and see if you like it. I am not trying to scare you or make you not want to do it, just some things to think about. I really enjoy getting the extra work for my dogs and meeting new people who also love to hunt birds. If I could quit my job today, to guide full time, I would do it in a heartbeat. If you have any more questions don't hesitate to ask. Let us know if you decide to do it, and how it goes.
 
game farms

years ago i guided some with one of my shorthairs at a game farm, hated it, the pay was ok but the fun, lack of wasn't. you do get to meet a bunch or really stupid hunters though.

cheers
 
I have guided a couple of different ways. One way is for buddies and friends, that is fun but doesn't happen that often. The other way is work and the lodge will want to know a few things about you and your dogs before they trust you with clientele. Here are a few details they usually want.

1. Multiple dogs to put up the numbers some preserve guys want to shoot you need more than one dog. I ran two and at times wished I had 3. But they will want to know that your dogs are under control at all times so they don't ruin a hunt for the customer. This is very important!
2. You spend more time with their customers than they (the lodge owners) do, they want to make sure you treat people with respect because you represent them.
3. You must be very specific about safety. ie No shooting at running birds, making sure where blockers are, guns pointed in safe direction, etc.
4. Tips and salary are the norm. Most lodges won't let you on the property to "just work your dog' without some sort of liability clause signed by you. every hunter signs one before they hunt. Because you are working with guns you have to fill out homeland security paperwork, etc.

Is it worth it? In my opinion yes. I counted the birds shot over my 2 dogs in one fall, and 1048 was the total. They had more birds shot over them in one fall than most dogs get in a lifetime.
 
Agree with everything JonnyB had to share in his above posts. As the saying goes--you got what you have asked for--now go and do it.

Great advice JonnyB!:)
 
I would want to have my dog fully broke. Just recently a fella had his dog shot and killed while guiding on a preserve on the bdff group on facebook. Accidents happen, but that would scare the crap out of me.
 
last year i took my young dogs to a GP not too far from home and hunted them there a lot just me and them , i was the hunter and it was money well spent , but i would never trust some of the red coats that i saw comming in there to be in a field with my dogs or me ,some had no idea what end of a gun to shoot , that said one of the guides there had a guy shoot and kill one of his dogs ,and im afraid i would end up in prisoin if it was one of mine , that said there part of my family and no bird or expose to them is worth that to me . just my two cents
 
There isn't enough money in Fort Knox to convince me to put myself and my dogs in the line of fire at a GF/Lodge/Shooting Preserve. I've done enough of it myself to know how extremely dangerous it can be towards all involved.

My family and I hunted at a well known Lodge in SoDak a few years ago. Our guide, who was top notch, had already been shot that season, twice, by careless clients. I hear that he quit that job soon afterwards and found another line of work.:cool:

NB
 
YUP....its all about exposure. you cant expect your dog to be at the top of their game if they only get out in the field a few times a year. my dogs are worked on birds all year long....pidgeons, chukar and quail in off season....quail...grouse...woodcock...pheasants during hunting season. if they don't have hundreds of bird contacts during the hunting season that means that I'M not doing my job. I realize I'm lucky and get to hunt alot but its really necessary to get them on birds as much as possible. the key to a bird dog is birds. I also agree with NOT guiding at a preserve...I've done quit a bit of it and don't miss it one bit. I also used to be in the waterfowl business. I've had enough of that as well.. I refuse to hunt for money these days....I mostly hunt alone with my dogs...THAT is the most enjoyable for me. turning it into work ruins it for me. some people are different.
 
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I personally would not be comfortable guiding with my dogs at a preserve.

There is another thing to consider besides the safety issues. If you are doing this for good bird exposure, there are going to be times where you will have birds that do not fly, or fly well enough. That is not good bird exposure for a dog the is not FULLY broke. That also increases the chances that your dog gets shot. Its not like you can just walk off the field on the days when the birds suck.

Bird exposure is important, but exposure to poor flying birds is counter productive in many cases.

A loft with a few Homing Pigeons is an inexpensive way to provide additional bird exposure, as well.

Just a different take on the subject to make you decision even more fun ;)
 
SetterNut said:
I personally would not be comfortable guiding with my dogs at a preserve.

There is another thing to consider besides the safety issues. If you are doing this for good bird exposure, there are going to be times where you will have birds that do not fly, or fly well enough. That is not good bird exposure for a dog the is not FULLY broke. That also increases the chances that your dog gets shot. Its not like you can just walk off the field on the days when the birds suck.

Bird exposure is important, but exposure to poor flying birds is counter productive in many cases.

A loft with a few Homing Pigeons is an inexpensive way to provide additional bird exposure, as well.




Just a different take on the subject to make you decision even more fun ;)
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exactly, ya got that one right. besides putting up with some of the idiot so called hunter's was the dumb birds, they would ruin anything other than a seasoned smart dog.

cheers
 
Man you guy's are tough. I assume all of you were great, competent hunters from the very beginning:rolleyes:. I for one enjoy the opportunity to take young and/or inexperienced hunters and teach them a little. I have had the opportunity to take many over the years and maybe rub off on them a little. Sometimes I have been the one taught other things. If the rules are laid out, and followed there shouldn't be a problem. I do agree about the birds though. Owning a flusher, poor flushing birds don't do it for me. The dog seems to enjoy it though:)
 
mustistuff said:
exactly, ya got that one right. besides putting up with some of the idiot so called hunter's was the dumb birds, they would ruin anything other than a seasoned smart dog.

cheers
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What the heck are you talking about. "That one right", I am pretty much always right :rolleyes::D
 
One of my best friends' dad's dog got shot and killed while guiding 2 years ago. It was a nightmare for him. The client was such a prick, that he couldn't understand why my friend's dad called off the hunt right then. The client thought that since he still had one dog left, he should be obligated to finish the hunt...:mad: To make matters worse, the guy refused to give him more than $500 to replace his fully broke, very outstanding pointer.

If I try to imagine being in his dad's shoes at that moment, it scares me to think about what I might do in that situation... :eek: Just hearing him tell me the story made me so mad I could see red!

After a few months of threats, the shooter finally agreed to purchase another dog for my friend's dad. They had a heluva time reaching an agreement, and in the end my friend's dad was happy to just get anything out of the shooter. I hunted behind both the original and replacement dog, and both were very fine hunting dogs.

That being said, the quality of the replacement dog would be irrelevant if it had been my dog that got shot. My dogs are 15 hours a day companions (can't take them to work), so their hunting abilities are only a small percentage of their true value to me...

I'm not going to tell you what to do, but there is a cautionary tale for you.
 
I have been approached twice by owner/manager of hunting preserves and I have turned both offers down. The safety issue was just too much of question mark.
 
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