Search found 1266 matches

by mnaj_springer
Wed Jan 11, 2023 3:24 pm
Forum: Training
Topic: Force fetch help.
Replies: 14
Views: 5745

Re: Force fetch help.

Worth remembering you should also be verbally reinforcing when the dog does it right, which just means making progress. Force fetching for retrievers was started and is implemented by professionals who have to get very quick results for their clients. It is much more pleasant for the dog and reward...
by mnaj_springer
Wed Jan 11, 2023 3:06 pm
Forum: Health and Nutrition
Topic: Switching dog food
Replies: 18
Views: 5841

Re: Switching dog food

Just an update here: I tried a bag of diamond performance, it's crap. After that I went to inukshuk 30/26 and I love it. He's been on it since may-June-ish and he eats two cups a day compared to four cups on PPP. One bag last eight weeks so it's roughly $30 a month for just him. I get it off chewy ...
by mnaj_springer
Wed Jan 04, 2023 10:23 am
Forum: Training
Topic: Flushers and running birds
Replies: 2
Views: 2288

Re: Flushers and running birds

Sounds like you're handling this all really well. With my springer if she's tracking a bird (it gets to be obvious at times) I whistle her to a hup until I can catch back up or get in a more comfortable range depending on the type of bird and cover, then release her. It works well. And with the wind...
by mnaj_springer
Wed Jan 04, 2023 10:02 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: So how did You get started with dogs and hunting?
Replies: 21
Views: 6614

Re: So how did You get started with dogs and hunting?

I'll keep the revived thread going since I haven't been active in a while. My story is a little different because I am really the first generation of bird hunters in my family, or at least serious bird hunter. I grew up in a family that almost exclusively hunter deer, but sometime around age 10 I st...
by mnaj_springer
Wed Jan 04, 2023 9:46 am
Forum: Health and Nutrition
Topic: Switching dog food
Replies: 18
Views: 5841

Re: Switching dog food

Just an update here: I tried a bag of diamond performance, it's crap. After that I went to inukshuk 30/26 and I love it. He's been on it since may-June-ish and he eats two cups a day compared to four cups on PPP. One bag last eight weeks so it's roughly $30 a month for just him. I get it off chewy ...
by mnaj_springer
Wed Nov 10, 2021 10:45 am
Forum: Hunting
Topic: First rooster
Replies: 3
Views: 3188

Re: First rooster

Hard to beat a Springer for pheasants!
by mnaj_springer
Wed Nov 10, 2021 10:25 am
Forum: Training
Topic: Hunting two spaniels at the same time?
Replies: 11
Views: 4451

Re: Hunting two spaniels at the same time?

It would be ..if nether is trained to be steady to flush/shot/fall . Add in honor whilst the other is handled. Neither dog is steady to flush/shot/fall. My pup is real young only about 10 months. How old do you start steadiness training? I’m worried if I start too soon I could affect his drive. Her...
by mnaj_springer
Tue Oct 12, 2021 7:08 am
Forum: Training
Topic: Pigeon Questions
Replies: 37
Views: 9780

Re: Pigeon Questions

If your in SW Washington I might be able to help you with a few birds. Have 23 unflown birds right now. Friend is going to get some to start a loft of his own and I could spare a few more if you want them. generally get $7 for them but just give you 5 or 6 if you want to come get them. About 60mi s...
by mnaj_springer
Tue Jan 19, 2021 1:06 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Meet Axe
Replies: 72
Views: 51838

Re: Meet Axe

This thread is incredibly fun to scroll through!

Congrats on the fantastic pup!
by mnaj_springer
Mon Nov 02, 2020 8:05 am
Forum: Off Topic Forum
Topic: Grey Wolf
Replies: 42
Views: 24373

Re: Grey Wolf

I think this is great! The state wildlife agencies usually have a better finger on the pulse when it comes to local wildlife. Hopefully a healthy population can be maintained through our North American conservation model.
by mnaj_springer
Wed Oct 28, 2020 7:50 am
Forum: Off Topic Forum
Topic: Baseball
Replies: 9
Views: 6078

Re: Baseball

shags wrote:
Tue Oct 27, 2020 4:52 pm
Wait til next year. Go Tribe. :P
Oh wow! I feel sorry for you!
by mnaj_springer
Wed Apr 08, 2020 9:15 am
Forum: Off Topic Forum
Topic: Mn DNR eagle Cam
Replies: 2
Views: 4944

Re: Mn DNR eagle Cam

I wish they'd eat more of the geese on my lakeshore. Goose poop everywhere.
by mnaj_springer
Thu Mar 26, 2020 11:45 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Bell or no bell?
Replies: 38
Views: 12553

Re: Bell or no bell?

FF, well there are some black bears where I'm at in MN, but I don't see those much in the fall. I do happen to see a wolf or two each fall.
by mnaj_springer
Wed Mar 25, 2020 8:25 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Bell or no bell?
Replies: 38
Views: 12553

Re: Bell or no bell?

I've tried bells on my pointer and on my springer for ruffed grouse/woodcock and I have a few observations. I really don't like the sound of the bells. It is irritating to me and takes away from the solace of getting away from it all and getting into the woods. I've found that with my pointer if I u...
by mnaj_springer
Thu Mar 19, 2020 10:27 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: COVID19
Replies: 20
Views: 7246

Re: COVID19

And we'll end this one here. I know it's a current event that could have major impacts on our little corner of the world (the gun dog corner), but as seen with this thread, it's been impossible to untangle from the political world, unfortunately. Thank you for keeping it as civil as possible. Wish I...
by mnaj_springer
Wed Mar 18, 2020 8:57 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: COVID19
Replies: 20
Views: 7246

Re: COVID19

It's going to go state by state I'm sure.
by mnaj_springer
Wed Jan 29, 2020 12:37 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: New to the forum & the GSP breed
Replies: 3
Views: 3763

Re: New to the forum & the GSP breed

Welcome to the forum! Dogs really shouldn't like the word "No." That's kind of the point! :mrgreen: But what did with my pups is pinch that lower jaw/tongue and give it a gentle wiggle when they would nibble and say "No Bite." It wasn't enough to hurt them but they did not like the feeling of me con...
by mnaj_springer
Tue Jan 07, 2020 10:31 am
Forum: Please Welcome New Members - Introduce Yourself Here!
Topic: New to the forum
Replies: 6
Views: 3687

Re: New to the forum

Welcome aboard!
by mnaj_springer
Tue Dec 17, 2019 3:14 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Funny or odd looking points
Replies: 12
Views: 6294

Re: Funny or odd looking points

I never got a picture of it, but one of my favorite points is when my Sammy was jumping over a log and locked up on a woodcock before she even hit the ground!
by mnaj_springer
Fri Oct 25, 2019 7:33 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: There's a Point and Then There's a Point!
Replies: 7
Views: 3920

Re: There's a Point and Then There's a Point!

Pretty similar. My pointer will give me a sideways glance and her intensity is not the same on a bird that has moved out or is old scent. I know that her head high, but very intense means it's a grouse and it's there. Head low with intensity usually is a woodcock. If she's all twisted in knots I kno...
by mnaj_springer
Thu Oct 10, 2019 7:45 am
Forum: Training
Topic: FF or wait?
Replies: 62
Views: 45207

Re: FF or wait?

I'd wait and FF in the spring. That way you can enjoy the hunting season and maybe some fun, low pressure retrieves builds the dogs enthusiasm for the game. The only exception in my opinion is if the dog starts eating birds. To FeatherFinder's point, I think your dog has already learned the "unaccep...
by mnaj_springer
Tue Oct 08, 2019 1:04 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: My Fall Conundrum.......
Replies: 22
Views: 8248

Re: My Fall Conundrum.......

I'm a little different that you Rise! This would be no conundrum for me as I hate sitting and waiting. I get impatient. I've been known to get down my stand part way through the morning to stir up the action. I much prefer to chase the dogs in the grouse woods or pheasant fields. I don't mind sittin...
by mnaj_springer
Thu Sep 05, 2019 11:39 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: New Pheasant Mount.......
Replies: 6
Views: 3577

Re: New Pheasant Mount.......

This is awesome! Was it your design or the taxidermist's?
by mnaj_springer
Wed Jul 17, 2019 1:33 pm
Forum: Training
Topic: Dog points, but won't point pheasants
Replies: 9
Views: 4721

Re: Dog points, but won't point pheasants

Pheasants are tough on young pointers. They don't hold and can run circles around even the best dogs. It takes practice.
by mnaj_springer
Tue Jul 02, 2019 3:23 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Mut Identification
Replies: 14
Views: 5572

Re: Mut Identification

You won't get any definitive answers here based on the pictures. It'll all be guesses. They do make DNA kits you could use to get a more exact answer.
by mnaj_springer
Mon Jun 24, 2019 9:18 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: GSP with a thick coat?
Replies: 15
Views: 6982

Re: GSP with a thick coat?

I have never seen a GSP like that! That is really odd.

I wonder how that changes as the pups age into adulthood.
by mnaj_springer
Thu May 30, 2019 10:51 am
Forum: Please Welcome New Members - Introduce Yourself Here!
Topic: New from MN
Replies: 5
Views: 2996

Re: New from MN

Welcome to the Forum! There are a lot of good groups in MN that train together that could help you out if you'd like! Thanks for the welcome! I am waiting on an email back from the retriever club that I pass on the way to and from work every day. I'm not sure how much I will hang around this form, ...
by mnaj_springer
Thu May 30, 2019 7:14 am
Forum: Please Welcome New Members - Introduce Yourself Here!
Topic: New from MN
Replies: 5
Views: 2996

Re: New from MN

Welcome to the Forum!

There are a lot of good groups in MN that train together that could help you out if you'd like!
by mnaj_springer
Fri Apr 12, 2019 9:39 am
Forum: Off Topic Forum
Topic: Short summer.
Replies: 9
Views: 8966

Re: Short summer.

My yard was completely cleared of snow. It was fantastic. Ducks, geese, and swans had moved back in and were hanging out on rivers and small potholes that opened up. I hadn't been out to find any woodcock, but I assume they made it up. Now there's a bunch of snow and it's still snowing. Also, there ...
by mnaj_springer
Thu Apr 04, 2019 7:53 am
Forum: Off Topic Forum
Topic: April 1
Replies: 2
Views: 5744

Re: April 1

There's still plenty of snow on the forest floor where I'm at in MN. Plus it has a hard crust on it, so it's making life difficult for those ground birds, although I think there are enough open spots for any woodcock that moved in. The bummer is I like to work my pointer on the migrating birds in th...
by mnaj_springer
Mon Mar 18, 2019 10:07 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: What am I?
Replies: 20
Views: 7077

Re: What am I?

She looks nearly identical to my EP.
by mnaj_springer
Sat Mar 09, 2019 10:58 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Blowing the Stink Off
Replies: 9
Views: 3338

Re: Blowing the Stink Off

We’re supposed to get another 8 inches of snow here tonight. I doubt I’ll ever get a chance to run the dogs on wild birds before the nesting season closure.
by mnaj_springer
Sat Mar 09, 2019 10:54 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Whats going on in Oregon Trials and Tests?
Replies: 80
Views: 25763

Re: Whats going on in Oregon Trials and Tests?

Shellotome, I don’t think guys post because they need to. I think it’s because they are proud, or at least I am. There’s nothing wrong with that. Having a defensible answer for the anti’s is way more important than moderating pictures online. For example, with this proposed law in Oregon, I think a ...
by mnaj_springer
Wed Mar 06, 2019 2:26 pm
Forum: Health and Nutrition
Topic: Best Puppy food for a GSP
Replies: 32
Views: 48049

Re: Best Puppy food for a GSP

I feed Purina Pro Plan Sport 30/20 all year to all stages (other than retired old dogs). But what did the breeder feed? Are you feeding the same or did you make a sudden switch? You'll get a ton of different recommendations for specific food, and there are more qualified people to answer this partic...
by mnaj_springer
Wed Mar 06, 2019 9:50 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: New pup names and tips
Replies: 12
Views: 4488

Re: New pup names and tips

DO NOT LET YOUR WIFE OR GIRLFRIEND BE INVOLVED WITH THE REGISTERED NAME!!! If you win awards that is the name they use and you'll be embarrassed every time. I am only semi-joking. My springer has the worst, worst, registered name and she kills it at hunt tests so I get to hear it a lot. Conventional...
by mnaj_springer
Sun Mar 03, 2019 1:18 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Slowing down the dog
Replies: 47
Views: 18555

Re: Slowing down the dog

You haven't lived until you've seen a really fast dog hit a bird close at about a 90* angle, whamo! My old Thea hit one that way one time and rolled completely over and came up on a super hard point, it was stunning. Stormy did one like that and flipped sideways so quick he was on point with no fee...
by mnaj_springer
Sun Mar 03, 2019 7:51 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: The leash law and the hunting dog
Replies: 6
Views: 3457

Re: The leash law and the hunting dog

Is there a question in here for the group? Considering nearly all of us live in different areas, this will be different for each individual here.

Posing a question to the group may be more productive.
by mnaj_springer
Wed Feb 27, 2019 4:51 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Same Problem Different State
Replies: 2
Views: 2201

Re: Same Problem Different State

The extremely vague nature in which this is written is the most concern part. If two guys in WI were to make a bet on who shoots the biggest buck, and the loser owns the other $10, would that be prohibited? It has all the elements: a designated prize, it's an organized competition, they're taking a ...
by mnaj_springer
Tue Feb 26, 2019 9:00 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Some good news from Sportsmens
Replies: 2
Views: 1986

Re: Some good news from Sportsmens

Shags, when something passes 92-8 in the senate, it hardly seems political! Fingers crossed I didn’t jinx this!
by mnaj_springer
Tue Feb 26, 2019 12:05 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Whats going on in Oregon Trials and Tests?
Replies: 80
Views: 25763

Re: Whats going on in Oregon Trials and Tests?

averageguy, I may be reading into things differently than you, but I think that most on here do not oppose limiting out or assume that guys who do limit out waste birds. What I've been gather from this discussion is that we should be aware of how we are portrayed to, or perceived by, the general non...
by mnaj_springer
Tue Feb 26, 2019 10:53 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Had to update our 2009 phpBB code
Replies: 1
Views: 2214

Re: Had to update our 2009 phpBB code

The mobile version now compared to the past is much better. I personally am using my phone 60-70% of the time on this site so that's important for me. At first glance there are some things that could use improvement in this version but I'm not sure if that's because I'm still getting used to it or i...
by mnaj_springer
Sat Feb 23, 2019 8:00 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Whats going on in Oregon Trials and Tests?
Replies: 80
Views: 25763

Re: Whats going on in Oregon Trials and Tests?

If we need to define words, the discussion has gone way off track. You two have had the opportunity to address each other’s comments so now let’s get back on topic. This is an important topic and I personally would love to see it continue in a civil manner.
by mnaj_springer
Fri Feb 22, 2019 9:40 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Whats going on in Oregon Trials and Tests?
Replies: 80
Views: 25763

Re: Whats going on in Oregon Trials and Tests?

I think it is important to have these conversations without our own communities while avoiding personal attacks on our own. Obviously, differing opinions are good. They allow us to see multiple perspectives. I, for one, don’t care for “grip and grin” pictures post-hunt. I take plenty of pictures but...
by mnaj_springer
Thu Feb 14, 2019 9:09 pm
Forum: Training
Topic: The value of the force fetch.
Replies: 42
Views: 19921

Re: The value of the force fetch.

Averageguy, The only caveat that I’d add to this thread is that FF is not for everyone. A lot of people should not even attempt it. It takes commitment and the ability to read a dog. The same would appear to apply to Hillman’s technique. But for those who can do it, either method, may well see benef...
by mnaj_springer
Thu Feb 14, 2019 3:28 pm
Forum: Training
Topic: The value of the force fetch.
Replies: 42
Views: 19921

Re: The value of the force fetch.

Trekmoor, I won't speak for others here, but the bond I experience via FF comes in numerous ways, none of which have to do directly with force. One I mentioned is how I learned how my dog learns. Another way is it provides clear expectations in a measurable way for the dogs. If there's one thing I'v...
by mnaj_springer
Thu Feb 14, 2019 1:08 pm
Forum: Training
Topic: The value of the force fetch.
Replies: 42
Views: 19921

Re: The value of the force fetch.

I'll start the circus off. I FF every dog I own and every dog I've ever trained.i have for over 40 years and I always will. FF has little to do with retrieving but everything to do with bonding, compliance and delivery. It installs in the dog knowledge that he must perform like it or not and the do...
by mnaj_springer
Thu Feb 14, 2019 10:32 am
Forum: Training
Topic: Kovan - No squeak Toys
Replies: 16
Views: 6541

Re: Kovan - No squeak Toys

I don't give my dogs squeaky toys either. For me, it's mostly about the noise. I've gone so far as to cut out the squeaker, then sew them back up when we've gotten them as gifts. At first I also had the thinking that it may cause hard-mouth, but the more I thought about it, the more I think that it ...
by mnaj_springer
Wed Feb 13, 2019 10:16 am
Forum: Training
Topic: sending dog for training
Replies: 72
Views: 26755

Re: sending dog for training

I definitely agree that a lot of dogs are DQ due to mis-handling. I've witnessed it in every MH and SH pointing dog test that I've gunned in. In a different venue, when I run my springer in hunt tests, I mostly try to stay out of her way, because I am more likely to mess up and than she is, at leas...
by mnaj_springer
Tue Feb 12, 2019 4:07 pm
Forum: Training
Topic: sending dog for training
Replies: 72
Views: 26755

Re: sending dog for training

I hope the mods will allow a response to the above post. If not I am good with that. Average Guy.It is note worthy that you failed to mention that I said sometimes I failed and sometimes my dogs did. There are many ways to fail a Master test that have nothing to do with the training of the dog. ! d...
by mnaj_springer
Tue Feb 12, 2019 9:26 am
Forum: Training
Topic: A Novice and his Dog
Replies: 11
Views: 4783

Re: A Novice and his Dog

I'm a bit new, so I'll ask a question. Why would you want to stop a flusher? Isn't that what they do? If a flusher is chasing a running pheasant (or grouse, etc.) and you stop the dog, then the bird will run into the next county. A flusher's job is to catch or at least make the running bird think i...