Hunting tall or short cover

[Madison COunty]

Today I took Gunner my 2 year old GSP out for a hunt. We saw two hens but only hunted maybe 2 hours at most. He pointed one and the other one flushed wild. I do not get him out as much as I should and was wondering if hunting shorter cover is better/easier for him than hunting the 5-6' tall big blue stem we were today.

I would like to get him on more birds and it is real tough to watch him and tell if he is pointing in the tall cover. Any thoughts or suggestions?

 

[wisturkeyhunter]

You get better points in taller (and thicker) cover from my experience. I worry about the logistics of getting to the bird and getting a shot off when it happens.

An astro helps a ton.

 

[jmac]

There is no real good answer to that question. You have to take them to where the birds are, could be tall or could be short cover. I know you have a young dog and it is frustrating, but you have a dog , and you need to trust your dogs nose. I also know where you are hunting doesn't have great numbers of birds, anymore. Trust your dog it knows far more than we do. I know not much help, but you will have to deal with it or go to some place that has more birds. South Dakota. Best of luck to you and your pup.

 

[Madison COunty]

You get better points in taller (and thicker) cover from my experience.

How do you tell that your dog is on point? I should add that I have a DT beeper collar I run on point only mode and don't want to purchase a GPS collar.

Also, this is my first bird dog I have ever owned. He comes from a great blood line and hunters. Last year I sent him back to the breeder for some training before the season started. This year I was so busy I didn't get him back for any training.

I appreciate any advice anyone has to give me as this is a learning experience for both Gunner and me.

 

[captaincoot]

I have a lab but shorter grass, snow, and some brush was the way to go when he was 6 months old. He could move, I could see and track game to make sure he wasn't chasing mice Game farm at 9 months really put it together for him Not much help I know Happy hunting.

 

[jmac]

How do you tell that your dog is on point? I should add that I have a DT beeper collar I run on point only mode and don't want to purchase a GPS collar.

Also, this is my first bird dog I have ever owned. He comes from a great blood line and hunters. Last year I sent him back to the breeder for some training before the season started. This year I was so busy I didn't get him back for any training.

I appreciate any advice anyone has to give me as this is a learning experience for both Gunner and me.

Wow, You have not spent any time training this dog by yourself??? I do not know how to help you at this point. You can't have some one else train your dog and expect the dog to follow your commands. You need to spend time with your dog. A collar is just an aid to help to train the dog. I'm not berating you I just don't get what you are doing???????????????

 

[Madison COunty]

Wow, You have not spent any time training this dog by yourself??? I do not know how to help you at this point. You can't have some one else train your dog and expect the dog to follow your commands. You need to spend time with your dog. A collar is just an aid to help to train the dog. I'm not berating you I just don't get what you are doing???????????????

I do spend time with him and work him. I have a pen with quail and take him to a guys land 10 minutes from my home with a bunch of crp.

When I plant the quail he always finds them and goes on point, I shoot some and a few get away which is fine with me. The man that let's me use his land is doing many projects on his place for quail. Gunner is a awesome dog! As I previously stated he is my first bird dog and its just tough for me to tell when he is on point when we are out hunting pheasant.

 

[Rusty Trigger]

Mid hight, best of both worlds. Birds tend to run too much in short and dog wants to get too far out, or at least that was in my case with a Brit. Did not want to pop her with the collar when running down birds, so it was easier not to set her up in that position. Too tall of grass, you no the problem, can't see and sometimes can't hear the dog.

 

[jmac]

I do spend time with him and work him. I have a pen with quail and take him to a guys land 10 minutes from my home with a bunch of crp.

When I plant the quail he always finds them and goes on point, I shoot some and a few get away which is fine with me. The man that let's me use his land is doing many projects on his place for quail. Gunner is a awesome dog! As I previously stated he is my first bird dog and its just tough for me to tell when he is on point when we are out hunting pheasant.

OK you think your spend enough time with your dog. I dont think so but it does not matter what I think. Any dog you have is a butt load of time spent in training, years from start to finish. Your 2 years in and need too learn a little more, or a lot. that dog of your is in need of alot of birds and training. Your not doing any thing wrong but you need to rethink what you are doing.

 

[pheasantaddict]

Your on the right track. With wild pheasants and him being a young dog that your more concerned about progressing in the right direction I would work him in cover where I could see him or quickly locate him. Might be a lot more hen points but at least your able to see your dog and correct if need be. My DK just pointed a rooster in short brome yesterday on public ground. Good Luck with Gunner.

 

[Madison COunty]

Your on the right track. With wild pheasants and him being a young dog that your more concerned about progressing in the right direction I would work him in cover where I could see him or quickly locate him. Might be a lot more hen points but at least your able to see your dog and correct if need be. My DK just pointed a rooster in short brome yesterday on public ground. Good Luck with Gunner.

Where about in NW Iowa are you? I have hunted some pretty good public spots up there so I see a trip up in the near future with Gunner. Always have good luck in your part of the state! :thumbsup: