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Q:
What is the minimum number of birds needed on hand to train a pointer? Assuming I can get more birds once a month.
Question by redfishunter. Uploaded on March 27, 2013
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Answers (10)
I didn't use any. Started my pup behind the flushing labs hunting in the field and she had no trouble picking it up on her own in spite of their early influence. Maybe she is just an exceptional dog, I don't know. My first pointing dog. I certainly paid enough for her to be exceptional and she has a hell of a pedigree.
Bird work is a huge advantage for a young dog that doesn't get to experience that many wild birds. Pigeons work great, I didn't use all that many. After working with the planted bird, and dogs point..then a flush, and a kill/retrieve, I'd use that bird for retrieve work a number of times. I use to trap my own pigeons. Even crawled up in the timber of old barns, and fishing netted them at nite. Also had a teacher friend who raised, and raced pigeons that would give me some of his losers. I would say several birds a month would be a huge benefit for your dog.
Yes, that's a good point. I have the luxury of spending months in the field day after day every year. That makes a big difference. The dogs get broken in goose hunting in the fields well before we get back to Montana for uplands. Still, I think if you get basic obedience in hand first, which doesn't require pigeons, instinct in a well-bred pup will guide them well enough when they hit the field for hunting. I guess the issue is whether you want a dog that works or one that works perfectly. I'm just glad to be out there hunting. My dogs aren't field trial quality but they get the job done well enough. I still shoot more birds than I know what to do with.
If you use a call pen, a half dozen quail can be used over and over, provided you don't kill any of them. They return and re-enter the call pen every night.
99. can you explain the call pen? i am getting a gsp and had never heard of a call pen. thanks
Call back pens are for quail. Quail are very social and if you leave one in the call back pen it will call his buddies back to the pen were they enter through a reverse cone in the pen.Most training books will cover this,try The best way to train your bird dog by Delmar Smith.It is a great tool to have for a first time dog trainer,have fun and good luck.
lets say for instance you have to take your dog to train somewhere further away from your home. would the quail return? i dont have fields by my house. so whats the max amount of distance a quail will travel to return? and how long does it take for them to return? or do you take the pen with you? thanks
The quail have to be in hearing distance to use a call back pen and they can be back in mins. to several hours.Leave one quail in the pen to call the others back and pick them up the next day,if distance is a factor try pigeons they will fly home from miles away.
Thanks. I'm in the same boat as Diplomat. I can build a small coup in the yard, but have to drive about a half a mile through a subdivision to access my training grounds. And I'll buy that book today, I'm trying to read several.
Pmac, how many birds would you guess is the minimum needed?
Their is no set answer but if you start with 10 or 12 quail that wiil get you going.Same for pigeons,when training you lose some dogs kill some and stuff happens.OH makes a good point,he has no need for birds and he reminds me of my uncle Brian.He also trained in the field and was as good a dog man as any I have met,so start small and go from there.
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The quail have to be in hearing distance to use a call back pen and they can be back in mins. to several hours.Leave one quail in the pen to call the others back and pick them up the next day,if distance is a factor try pigeons they will fly home from miles away.
Call back pens are for quail. Quail are very social and if you leave one in the call back pen it will call his buddies back to the pen were they enter through a reverse cone in the pen.Most training books will cover this,try The best way to train your bird dog by Delmar Smith.It is a great tool to have for a first time dog trainer,have fun and good luck.
I didn't use any. Started my pup behind the flushing labs hunting in the field and she had no trouble picking it up on her own in spite of their early influence. Maybe she is just an exceptional dog, I don't know. My first pointing dog. I certainly paid enough for her to be exceptional and she has a hell of a pedigree.
Bird work is a huge advantage for a young dog that doesn't get to experience that many wild birds. Pigeons work great, I didn't use all that many. After working with the planted bird, and dogs point..then a flush, and a kill/retrieve, I'd use that bird for retrieve work a number of times. I use to trap my own pigeons. Even crawled up in the timber of old barns, and fishing netted them at nite. Also had a teacher friend who raised, and raced pigeons that would give me some of his losers. I would say several birds a month would be a huge benefit for your dog.
Yes, that's a good point. I have the luxury of spending months in the field day after day every year. That makes a big difference. The dogs get broken in goose hunting in the fields well before we get back to Montana for uplands. Still, I think if you get basic obedience in hand first, which doesn't require pigeons, instinct in a well-bred pup will guide them well enough when they hit the field for hunting. I guess the issue is whether you want a dog that works or one that works perfectly. I'm just glad to be out there hunting. My dogs aren't field trial quality but they get the job done well enough. I still shoot more birds than I know what to do with.
If you use a call pen, a half dozen quail can be used over and over, provided you don't kill any of them. They return and re-enter the call pen every night.
99. can you explain the call pen? i am getting a gsp and had never heard of a call pen. thanks
lets say for instance you have to take your dog to train somewhere further away from your home. would the quail return? i dont have fields by my house. so whats the max amount of distance a quail will travel to return? and how long does it take for them to return? or do you take the pen with you? thanks
Thanks. I'm in the same boat as Diplomat. I can build a small coup in the yard, but have to drive about a half a mile through a subdivision to access my training grounds. And I'll buy that book today, I'm trying to read several.
Pmac, how many birds would you guess is the minimum needed?
Their is no set answer but if you start with 10 or 12 quail that wiil get you going.Same for pigeons,when training you lose some dogs kill some and stuff happens.OH makes a good point,he has no need for birds and he reminds me of my uncle Brian.He also trained in the field and was as good a dog man as any I have met,so start small and go from there.
Post an Answer