Doewhacker

lol ....Thinking of the druggies trying to deal hot tree steps and hoist ropes...thats funny!!!

Hey man, say what you gotta say to justify it to yourself. Just remember feeding deer is illegal in NY.

Who goes out of their way to do this stupid crap? You have to be really determined to piss people off to go through all of the work to steal and wreck stuff.

Yea thats it, I'm the bad guy cause I laugh at you feeding deer. haha

I can't imagine why a deer would get conditioned to humans that feed them corn and apples like that, soooo strange. lol What kind of apple tree is that? Coapple, Crapple, Applorn?

Whats Statagy?

I think that same pic makes the rounds every year this time. I recall seeing it here.

I take it you don't know the trainer in that vid? Dave has countless dogs trained to the highest level under his belt along with being a guide in New Hampshire every year on top of countless hunting trips on his own. He also breeds DK short hairs and tests them in the JHV system along with the Navhda tests. That Spinone in the vid is an older dog that was never exposed to birds. I find spinonies a lost cause from years of poor breeding but that's just my opinion. And last but not least that is a training day not a handlers clinic, two different things in the Navhda world.

Chukkars or Pidgeons yes, I'll pass on Quail as they don't fly far enough and Pheasant's are a bit much for most young pups to start on. My goal is to get some Pidgeons and once they have young ones I can work on a recall set up. It makes is soooo nice to have birds fly and return to their coop. It would be even nicer if I had a big field as my yard but down the road will have to suffice.

Man you guys are serious about stands! I am going to clear a path into our one spot tomorrow, this thick hollow stuff grows there like a jungle and every year we have to clear a path to get in. I will hang one stand in my best doe killing spot there for my wife and thats it. The rest will be hang and hunt style this year.

For training birds Pidgeons are ok for most dogs, they can be found for cheap or trapped and shot all year which is a plus. This year with my new pup I have a bird pen built and as luck would have it my brother just bought a house that has a bird pen so I will have room for more birds there. It can be a hastle finding some one who sells game birds some times, which is why I built a pen, now I can either hatch my own or buy in larger numbers. Speaking of which I need a few for the new pup.

Yes there are a lot of differing opinions on how to do it, some start with pots and pans banging together while they eat. I found the best for me is to start with a starter pistol from a distance while the dog is chasing a flushed bird. Gradually work closer and then start over with guns. You will know pretty quick if care is needed for this process while watching the dogs reaction.

I don't use No because I have kids, I use either leave it or eh eh.

http://www.gundogsonline.com/ A good site for you. Here is a basic training list for puppy's Whoa...it means stand there dont move, you add in distraction and birds as the dog progresses then go the field Sit/Stay Come or here with both voice and whistle commands Heel Leash obedience Quartering the wind or covering the field Playing fetch..later on I do force fetch and return to heel when the dog is ready. During this time I also introduce the dog to gun fire, water, other dogs, e-collar, birds, tracking. Obedience with repetition and praise is the biggest thing to teach a bird dog.

Also you may want to ask the breeder, all of the ones I know are happy to help.

I recomend getting some vid's and books to learn. Here is a great organization (although your dog has no papers and wouldn't be allowed to test).. http://www.navhda.org/ There are a few chapters in NY and most are more than happy to help a hunter out. You might want to try and find a gun dog trainer in your area too, most will give you a lesson on where to begin at least even if you don't want to work with a trainer long term. I am up to three bird dogs now, to say I was bit by the bug is an understatement..lol

I think he WAS the string stopper. Lol

Don't waste your time with either dog, the lab is to old and a rott is no hunting dog. The bird dogs I have are started at a young age and have the instincts breed into them and even they require lots of training. Would you drive a dump truck on a race track against race cars? Think about a pointer of some type for your next dog and train it up. It's the best!

What a disturbing game, its so easy I got that guy every shot! Wait am I supposed to shoot the apple? ha

We went last Sunday but no luck, the weather was bad where we were and that changed patterns. I did see plenty of ducks and will be back to that spot come duck season. Around home they have started cutting corn so it should be good very soon.

Don't have one but it most likely will be the next rifle I buy. I am considering 7-08 as well as .308.

Oh Man, instant classic!

It sure looks like you are limp wristed, just saying.

I only do those at a deer running at 95-100 yards out. I like a challenge.

I would skip to Braod Head tuning or walk back tuning my self.