Posts from — November 2007

This morning when working dogs I noticed something that I’ve known for a long time but haven’t shared much. When a young dog is a ‘natural pointer’ it is not necessarily the best thing. Huh?

You see, a young dog that freezes on scent or sight that has never been properly introduced to flushing birds and other natural sounds associated with the flush like the cackle of a pheasant or manmade sounds like the sound of the launcher or the sound of a gun, may just be frightened in an unintentional way that can set back training.

Here are some examples:……….. [Read more →]

  Today I did an exercise with my Brittany pups that I do early on in their lives.  I place a bird in a cage and let them just go crazy over it.  It really builds desire since they can’t get to it.  They will chew, dig and do anything to get to it.  It’s a lot of fun too!

The photo is of me with 2 adults, Nubbin’ (sitting on top of the cage) and Sarah with all the young birdy Brittanys in attendance.  Allie is a year and a half, Hott Shott is about 6 months, Maker / Shokker & Thelma are littermates and are nearly 4 months.

I seldom write about stubborn dogs because 99 percent of the Brittanys out there do not exhibit these traits to any extreme.  Often they will exhibit traits that make you think they are stubborn and hard headed when bird dog training but don’t be fooled, that’s desire and that’s a good thing.

I want a dog that is so bird crazy …  [Read more →]

Like most of you, I was out with my dogs over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. I hunted over a few of my own dogs and ran clients dogs on wild birds for experience. The results were mixed.

The heavy cover … [Read more →]

I recall many hunts of the past this evening as I sit in my rocking chair with my companion gun dog Brittanys at my side. The cold front has arrived which I think is apropos for our country’s Thanksgiving. My desire to light the fire in our fireplace is welling up inside me. It IS the season that hunters cherish most.

Many times my family has enjoyed the bounty of the upland harvest in our home. Those memories will forever remain imprinted in my mind. I am sure we will have more, God willing. The ‘thanks’ is what is important to me.

Thanksgiving of the distant past … [Read more →]

A couple of days ago I wrote about the demise of the ‘Gentleman’s bird, the Bobwhite Quail’. In that article I mentioned the CRP. Tonight I want to write about that program.

Many hunters not familiar with ‘the CRP’ will think my sentence odd by my writing ‘the CRP’. Some hunters won’t notice at all but will wonder if I’m talking about ‘CPR’, not the life saving CPR but the hunters CPR…no kiddin’. Confused? … [Read more →]

You may notice that I miss a day here and there on my journal. That’s usually due to a long day. Yesterday’s excuse was different as I was sick, I mean really ill. It was one of those 24 hour bugs where it was coming out everywhere if you know what I mean. Regular yesterday meant about every 10 or 15 minutes. TMI? yeah. It has been 12 hours since the last ‘eruption’ so I guess I will continue with my original plans to train at the lease for 3 days. I suppose I’m just as human as the next guy and we all have ‘interruptions’ from time to time. LOL

Happy Huntin’Dave

What ever happened to the good ole days, you know, the days where most of the southern states had bobwhite quail? I dunno either. I’ve read the studies that attribute it to this and to that but somehow I believe unless change is legislated, it just ain’t gonna improve. I’m a bit perplexed as to it all, God knows if I could do something, I WOULD! It’s like everything else in this life, those who have the power, the money and the land hold our sport in the balance.

Out here in Texas, a good portion of western and southern quail hunting spots are still intact. I would however, like to go back to some of the deep south honey holes … [Read more →]

More training today using pigeons for the young pups.  More yard work for phase I dogs.  Advanced phase II work on finished dogs.  Just another good training day.

Happy Huntin’ season!

Dave

Today started as an ordinary day for me.  I yard worked the starting dogs, played with young pups, flew birds, sound conditioned, etc.

It’s a lot of fun to get the young pups all spun up over live flying birds.  I always save that for last.  Taking a group of 12 week old pups and giving them birds is akin to  …  [Read more →]