Mainly Roosters

pheasantaddict

pheasantaddict

New member
Have you ever owned or hunted with a dog that mainly pointed or flushed roosters? Years ago I hunted behind a GSP that mainly pointed roosters. When hunted with him and his owner, it was usually late season yet the dog pointed roosters probably in a 10/1 ratio (roosters/hens) or better. I never thought to much about it at the time except when the dog went on point be prepared to shoot. Maybe It was just some random lucky days when I just happened to be hunting with them. Still pretty amazing.
 
When you really think about it. I doubt if that dog could tell the difference. Example; we train with pigeons mainly as a young dog. Then they go hunting. Here the early season birds are Huns and Quail and Chukers. They hunt them no problem. Then comes Pheasant season, they hunt them no problem as a rule. Now tell me after all those birds that they hunt. Do they really know the difference? They are pointing scent, so most all birds must smell somewhat a like in my thinking. That dog was just lucky enough to be hunting an area with a lot of roosters..........Bob
 
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You've just been very lucky. Be prepared for the percentages to average out. :) There is no way a dog can tell the difference between a hen and a rooster. The dog hits scent and hammers a point. It's not thinking before pointing what sex the bird is. Sure would be nice, but it ain't going to happen.
 
I have hunted with dogs of several breeds which had inordinately high percentages of rooster points. Not sure why, or if they can tell, but I've seen the same performance year after year. I had a pointer that taught me a lesson about roosters and hens, this dog after pushing a field off heavy cover to a road corner, and flushing only hens, dog took of out of character ran to the opposite corner, pointed a couple of late season roosters which had run the opposite way of the hens. Since, I have used that trick many times with success. Point being if reaction of roosters and hens to hunting pressure are different, is it hard to believe that the dog with experience and learned behavior would only point birds of that style of behavior, resulting in a high percentage of rooster points?
 
It is a generally accept belief in the retriever game that hen pheasants carry less scent then rooster. Making hens harder to find in heavy cover. If this is true that may account for the dog finding more roosters than hens.
 
I'm pretty sure my Springer nows the difference, at least when they flush, because I have more trouble steading him when a Rooster flushes, he will sometimes take off before released, a hen he just hups without a word from me.
 
Back in the early sixties my friends acquired a female lab. The dog never received any formal training, but she had a good nose and lots of natural ability. She also pointed pheasants more often or not. She would always bring the downed bird to the person who shot the bird even when hunting with several people in the party. In the winter after season was closed she would assume her other role as a "farm dog", but she would continue to hunt the grove surrounding the farm. There were a lot of pheasants in those days. She would catch them on her own and bring them to the door of the farm house and leave them there. She always caught roosters, never hens. She lived until age 15 and hunted well even in her last season. She died in her sleep on the porch one night, no sign of illness, she just slipped away.
 
cracks me up- I sit in prime pheasant country- 2nd year of hunting pheasants- 4 Britt's who I consider pretty darn good on pheasants- point more hens then roosters- I can see no difference in their aproach, point, hold till flush, on a rooster or a hen

and all these other dogs who can tell a hen from a rooster, leave the hens alone, only flush or point roosters-

I'd sure like to see that in action

and it sure isn't much to brag about someone elses or a long ago dog

so- if you have one of these super dogs that can indeed tell the difference- and leave the hens alone-take someone here on the forum along on a hunt- then we can understand- someone who isn't a pal

I'll take all the hen points I can- I like it that mine can't and don't care
 
I can usually tell the difference in how my Vizsla points a cock or a hen. Not always but a good precentage of the time. If it's a hen he usually has a slight tag movement but cocks are completely rigid. My other dog shows no difference that I can see.
 
really- I've had 90 some points this year- mine don't wiggel on point- you have one that you can tell it's a hen- sure would like to see that
 
There is an old saying that is very true. "To get a good bird dog takes birds and more birds. The more birds the better they become." With this is mind I would say hen or rooster makes no difference. The more points by your dog the better it will become. I can remember back to 2000, Tony on his first hunt real hunt had 9 points on hens and roosters. But that set the mold and he has been a very good hunting dog ever since...........Bob
 
Shadow said:
really- I've had 90 some points this year- mine don't wiggel on point- you have one that you can tell it's a hen- sure would like to see that
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Not every time but when he has his little wiggle in his tail (and it's slow) it's a hen. Sometomes it's a hard point on a hen but I haven't seen him do that little tag wag thing on a cock.

Other dogs I've had never could tell a difference but this dog has by far the most expereince on lots of pheasants of any dog I've owned. Could be that, could be me, could be a figment of my imagination but when i see I I usually tell my buddy it's going to be a hen and he believes it.
 
AtTheMurph said:
Not every time but when he has his little wiggle in his tail (and it's slow) it's a hen. Sometomes it's a hard point on a hen but I haven't seen him do that little tag wag thing on a cock.

Other dogs I've had never could tell a difference but this dog has by far the most expereince on lots of pheasants of any dog I've owned. Could be that, could be me, could be a figment of my imagination but when i see I I usually tell my buddy it's going to be a hen and he believes it.
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I could do the same- "he's got a hen" 80% of the time I'd be correct-
your dog is wiggling it's tail- a real good pointing dog would see that tail moving, and probably move in ahead and lock up- why- because the tail wiggling means that dog doesn't have the bird- I've seen it many times- and the owner of that dog better not get upset- the dog hasn't locked

dog on point- must be frozen- if you expect another good dog to honor-
mine wouldn't honor another dog who wasn't locked-

you are asuming- and it's ok- but I'd like to see a pointing dog that will show it can tell a difference- and I'm willing to allow them to come and show me on this private farm- course- because it might be a guess- we'll put a wager down like it's going to cost you if you're wrong

want to come and show me
 
I hunt with a GSP dog and a Weimerhaner. The Shorthair, Spayed Fe, points everything, follows along on even a running rooster. The Old Weimy won't point until there is a bird. Usually about 80% of the time it is a rooster. We hunt in North Dakota.
 
I have heard a few people say they had a dog that could tell the difference between a hen and a rooster, never seen it and don't believe it. Theoretically speaking for that to occur with pointing dog a hen must smell different than a rooster and the dog would learn the difference by associating the slight difference in smell with gunfire and not point hens or act differently. If dog only pointed roosters it probably wouldn't point quail, grouse, or partridge either.
by watching my dog I can tell: where the bird is, nose straight at the bird locked up hard or if the bird was there, he'll look at me or move his head as I approach and relocate or if it's multiple birds or a covey, his head will be up over the horizon. These actions are true for pheasants, grouse, quail, partridge, cats, turkeys, rabbits, and porcupines. I really hate walking up on porcupines.
 
Shadow said:
I sit in prime pheasant country- 2nd year of hunting pheasants- 4 Britt's who I consider pretty darn good on pheasants- point more hens then roosters
I'll take all the hen points I can
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I'm sure when they get more experienced they'll figure it out.
 
I've never noticed any difference on pheasants, whether hen or rooster, but my last two setters had different posture when pointing woodcock or grouse. A low, crouching point is always woodcock and I figure it's because they leave a smaller scent, hold very tight and the dog gets closer before hitting scent and locking up. A tall standing point is always a grouse and I'll be looking 20 yards upwind for a clump that bird is likely to come out of. The breeze carries the scent of the larger bird farther and the dog is getting this on the wind.
 
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