How far do u let ur gsp range

[cheesy]

I don't know the answer to the OP's question. But I do know that it is frustrating as hell when hunting with guys that have only ever shot tame birds (I would have used to say old Bobwhites here, but they're basically no more), they see a dog getting birdy, trailing up one. You can tell the bird is picking them up and putting them down, trying to get to an escape route. The tame bird shooter wants to stand around and talk about the dog trailing. I'm yelling at a loud whisper "get up there". How can you drive it through their heads that odds are, that rooster isn't going to stick around for them to get thier feet set, adjust their shooting vest, adjust their jock, and mount their gun so they can kill it? He is going to get out of there as fast as he can, and if you're not in shotgun range, all you can do is watch.

Thats why I don't like hunting in big groups. Like KB said up above, dump the dog out in the CRP section, kind of have a general idea of what you want to do, and then just follow the dog. He has a lot better nose than I do.

 

[brittboy]

I don't know the answer to the OP's question. But I do know that it is frustrating as hell when hunting with guys that have only ever shot tame birds (I would have used to say old Bobwhites here, but they're basically no more), they see a dog getting birdy, trailing up one. You can tell the bird is picking them up and putting them down, trying to get to an escape route. The tame bird shooter wants to stand around and talk about the dog trailing. I'm yelling at a loud whisper "get up there". How can you drive it through their heads that odds are, that rooster isn't going to stick around for them to get thier feet set, adjust their shooting vest, adjust their jock, and mount their gun so they can kill it? He is going to get out of there as fast as he can, and if you're not in shotgun range, all you can do is watch.

Thats why I don't like hunting in big groups. Like KB said up above, dump the dog out in the CRP section, kind of have a general idea of what you want to do, and then just follow the dog. He has a lot better nose than I do.

Well said. Now tell me about your jogging technique.I always try to keep my pockets buttoned/snapped down, the gun goes up next to my body and I break into a jog I can maintain for a little while before loosing my breath. All it takes is a few days of the season to pass and the rosters break out their running shoes.

 

[SetterNut]

There is a lot of discussion about range. Range is both good and bad, IMO.
When quail hunting here, or on big open spaces like you hunt in Montana for Huns and sharptail, range with a steady dog is a great thing.

Then again I have had Indy on point on pheasants in modest cover at 500_600 Yards, and the pheasants have run off. Sometimes we get them relocated. Ace is a closer working dog, 75-200 yards. It is much easier to get to him faster on pheasants than Indy.

But without a garmin, big running dog are of a lot less value in much cover.

But when a dog gets some experience, they learn to adjust their range to the cover.
So for me, I let them hunt at what ever range comes natural, ...... you can alway hack them in if you have to. But it is really hard to push them out.

 

[Dog Gun Time]

I don't know the answer to the OP's question. But I do know that it is frustrating as hell when hunting with guys that have only ever shot tame birds (I would have used to say old Bobwhites here, but they're basically no more), they see a dog getting birdy, trailing up one. You can tell the bird is picking them up and putting them down, trying to get to an escape route. The tame bird shooter wants to stand around and talk about the dog trailing. I'm yelling at a loud whisper "get up there". How can you drive it through their heads that odds are, that rooster isn't going to stick around for them to get thier feet set, adjust their shooting vest, adjust their jock, and mount their gun so they can kill it? He is going to get out of there as fast as he can, and if you're not in shotgun range, all you can do is watch.

Thats why I don't like hunting in big groups. Like KB said up above, dump the dog out in the CRP section, kind of have a general idea of what you want to do, and then just follow the dog. He has a lot better nose than I do.

I experienced this exact scenario one weekend when my wife's cousin and his son hunted with me. Windy conditions, birds were really spooky but I could not get them to be quiet or move up when the dogs were birdy.

 

[mustistuff]

that range thing

There is a lot of discussion about range. Range is both good and bad, IMO.
When quail hunting here, or on big open spaces like you hunt in Montana for Huns and sharptail, range with a steady dog is a great thing.

Then again I have had Indy on point on pheasants in modest cover at 500_600 Yards, and the pheasants have run off. Sometimes we get them relocated. Ace is a closer working dog, 75-200 yards. It is much easier to get to him faster on pheasants than Indy.

But without a garmin, big running dog are of a lot less value in much cover.

But when a dog gets some experience, they learn to adjust their range to the cover.
So for me, I let them hunt at what ever range comes natural, ...... you can alway hack them in if you have to. But it is really hard to push them out.

you make a really good point that few understand in the dog hunting world, at least when i comes to pointing breeds. anybody can, one way or the other get their dog to hunt close, it's really a no brainer, the brainy part comes in making your dog go. most times ya can't. the problem comes when hunter's go overboard in bringing in their dogs and end up with a boot licker and they are even worse than a pot licker. be careful what you wish for, let the dog hunt and adapt to it as in the field it surely knows more what is going on than the hunter does. most can't put up with the range you do but then mostly you don't hunt small sections for pheasants like most of us are forced to and quail are much more likely to be there when you get to the dogs, most pheasants are short on patience.

cheers