How many dogs?

[Bryan Casto]

dog

I dont run them by themselves all the time. i usually start them with others. but when they show they are learning the ropes and can do it by themselves, then i hunt them alone. By doing this they arent as dependent on other dogs. I just think it makes them become a better dog by having to do the work by themselves. Everything you stated as potential problems are for the most part adressed in yard work and ive never had a problem with any of those. The biggest thing ive seen is that some dogs that are always hunted with a supporting cast, wont have the same drive if they are taken out by themsleves. Its like in a classroom 1 on 1 time is generally considered better than 1 on 4. Its just how i like doing it, 2 each their own.

 

[Bryan Casto]

young pointer

as for honoring i work on that with pen raised birds in the training field. Also i dont always hunt them solo. I just start doing it once they have the basics down. So they are forced to sharpen their skills and I can give them more 1 on 1 time incase i have to correct any issues.

 

[Shadow]

glad it works for you- I got the impression in your first post you were saying a young dog should ony be hunted alone

I don't train- I don't use "ecollars' I've always started mine in wild birds with a real good dog

 

[SetterNut]

There is clearly more than one way to skin a cat.

I think there is benifit in hunting young dogs some with older dogs, but I like to hunt them alone most of the time the first year. I think it builds some independence, and allows me to focus on only the pup.

But lots of people have trained good dogs by running them with older dogs at the start.

 

[wesslpointer]

I only have one lab now so you know how many I hunt with. I did hunt Grace with my old timer Tater Bob when she was still around. With plans to get a new pup next spring, I will take them out together some. But mostly will rotate them to keep them fresh.

I really enjoy the challenge of me and one dog, alone in the field, taking on wild birds.
If it was a classified it would read:
Wanted- one hunter and dog to hunt roosters. Must be willing to walk (and sometimes run) many miles and work looong days. Excellent shooting ability a MUST. Need to be able to deal with failure and trickery gracefully. Job interview will be conducted on a 1500 acre parcel. Pay rate terrible, in fact you get to pay me!

This reminds me of story of two bull elk, the young bull ran down but the Old bull walked and breed them ALL! Try using two pointers one hunts long the other close train the "long" to work back to you. Then you well have your own "drive" and not have to run. You might get old some day! :cheers:

 

[oldandnew]

Years ago when I had pointers, I hunted all dogsof all ages and experience together. Young dogs which poached points, floushed birds, were summarily disciplined by a grizzled veteran bitch who considered herself the offended party. Rare was the pup who made the same mistake twice. Dog training made easy. Before and sinse, I have to do the dirty work my self.

 

[only a pointer]

This reminds me of story of two bull elk, the young bull ran down but the Old bull walked and breed them ALL! Try using two pointers one hunts long the other close train the "long" to work back to you. Then you well have your own "drive" and not have to run. You might get old some day! :cheers:

no no wessl the young bull ran down the hill to blank one of those cows and papa bull walked down and blanked them all lol lol ilove that story lol

 

[Shadow]

Years ago when I had pointers, I hunted all dogsof all ages and experience together. Young dogs which poached points, floushed birds, were summarily disciplined by a grizzled veteran bitch who considered herself the offended party. Rare was the pup who made the same mistake twice. Dog training made easy. Before and sinse, I have to do the dirty work my self.

you know what- when we hunting with 11 dogs long ago- I actually saw an old female light into another that had no manners on birds- I was impressed- owner just said- well he deserved it- think there should be more of those type dogs arround who would dish it out to a needing dog- maybe that's why some only hunt one dog

 

[Toad]

you know what- when we hunting with 11 dogs long ago- I actually saw an old female light into another that had no manners on birds- I was impressed- owner just said- well he deserved it- think there should be more of those type dogs arround who would dish it out to a needing dog- maybe that's why some only hunt one dog

I think it has more to do with the square footage of our homes and yards, the price of dog food and vet bills, and staying on the good side of our ladies.:thumbsup:

I like to let mine jump up in the recliner with me like lap dogs while I'm watching TV. So far I've figured out how to fit two dogs, two kids, and myself in the chair all at the same time. Any more dogs and I would probably suffocate, or break the recliner...

 

[Toad]

Toad- perhaps you get OkieGunner to come up- you show him arround a bit-
I'd be out and about- maybe drop these in with his- that would be how many dogs backing

Anytime. I would leave the gun and take the camera for a show like that. Maybe you guys could show me where all the quail went. Last week I drove by some nice looking cover on WIHA about 1.5 hours from Manhattan. Thinking about going back with the dogs to check it out.

 

[OKIEGunner]

Hit a quarter section yesterday. Put up 5 covey's of quail. Never had an issue finding birds with this pack of dogs.

 

[victordlt43]

Dogs?????

A lot of dogs is fun but you have to keep tabs on your dog, a Dog can pick up bad habits from newbies or less trained dogs and a Dog should only get commands from his Master not everyone carrying a gun. I think rotating dogs works best for me plus it keeps them fresh just my 2cents......

 

[SetterNut]

Hit a quarter section yesterday. Put up 5 covey's of quail. Never had an issue finding birds with this pack of dogs.

Bring them up here, I can put you in some places where you will have issues finding birds

Its been pretty bad in my old go-to places. Pretty depressing.

 

[OKIEGunner]

Bring them up here, I can put you in some places where you will have issues finding birds

Its been pretty bad in my old go-to places. Pretty depressing.

It has been hit & miss days down here all year. But I do love to cherrish the day's like yesterday. Reminds me of the good old days, long gone, but never far from my mind.:thumbsup:

 

[Shadow]

A lot of dogs is fun but you have to keep tabs on your dog, a Dog can pick up bad habits from newbies or less trained dogs and a Dog should only get commands from his Master not everyone carrying a gun. I think rotating dogs works best for me plus it keeps them fresh just my 2cents......

not saying it's fun- saying it takes ones that can really cover ground when you have big sections and few birds- you'd chuckle- I just wonder along and don't care what they are doing- BEEP

you are correct though- only hunt real good dogs with real good dogs

 

[Shadow]

Anytime. I would leave the gun and take the camera for a show like that. Maybe you guys could show me where all the quail went. Last week I drove by some nice looking cover on WIHA about 1.5 hours from Manhattan. Thinking about going back with the dogs to check it out.

sounds interesting- 1.5 hours- would that be Hays sort of- I've a mind to go up there, motel room, spend a couple days covering some areas-
used to be- I'd turn one loose to check a field for birds- depending on- load up and move on- or unload and go

can say it'd be nice for mine to see some quail- used to be great fun playing with the singles

 

[V-John]

sounds interesting- 1.5 hours- would that be Hays sort of- I've a mind to go up there, motel room, spend a couple days covering some areas-
used to be- I'd turn one loose to check a field for birds- depending on- load up and move on- or unload and go

can say it'd be nice for mine to see some quail- used to be great fun playing with the singles

1.5 hours from Manhattan would be around Salina. Roughly. Hayes is probably three hours from Manhattan. Thereabouts.

 

[Toad]

1.5 hours from Manhattan would be around Salina. Roughly. Hayes is probably three hours from Manhattan. Thereabouts.

Daisy and I are actually headed to Washington Co, near the Nebraska border. If you guys want to suggest a different spot, I would be all ears. My instincts about where to hunt have not been paying off too well this year.

Junie turns 6 months old tomorrow, so I am getting her fixed tomorrow as a gift to both of us.:thumbsup: Unfortunately, she won't be hunting on Friday with Daisy, and I will have to follow the Vet's advice about when she can go back in the field.

Shadow, I would love to see your pack hunt sometime. I have no idea where you are located, but if you want to suggest a time and place to meet up, I would be interested. Some of the pictures you post make my jaw drop!

 

[Shadow]

Toad- I'm thinking the weekend of the 21st around Hays- interested to see how mine do in quail- could be right interesting

 

[Toad]

Toad- I'm thinking the weekend of the 21st around Hays- interested to see how mine do in quail- could be right interesting

Hays is a bit of a haul for a day trip for me. Let me check and see what we have going on that weekend. We might already be down in the Wichita area, putting areas a couple hours West of there within reach for a day trip.