Search found 57 matches

by porochi
Sun Nov 10, 2019 10:04 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Best booties for hunting dogs?
Replies: 3
Views: 2606

Best booties for hunting dogs?

Looking for booties for my GSP. Ones that will stay on all day during a hunt. Heard Muttluks are a good brand. Anyone tried them? Any other recommendations?
by porochi
Sat Jun 29, 2019 7:05 pm
Forum: Training
Topic: GSP behavior - correct this or no?
Replies: 5
Views: 3482

Re: GSP behavior - correct this or no?

I do hunt rabbits from time to time and they're in-season in KS year round. We mainly upland hunt though. I don't rabbit hunt this time of year, though. There's no quail/pheasant on this particular wildlife area, we've covered much of it and haven't found any. He'll usually hold tight on birds, thou...
by porochi
Sat Jun 29, 2019 10:19 am
Forum: Training
Topic: GSP behavior - correct this or no?
Replies: 5
Views: 3482

GSP behavior - correct this or no?

Now that it's off season I've been taking my 3yr old male GSP (who I've owned for about 18 mos.) on lots of long walks/runs at a nearby public wildlife area (7000+ acres). I usually turn him loose with the E-collar on and let him roam, it's good exercise for the both of us. Lately though he's manage...
by porochi
Sat Jun 08, 2019 9:29 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Other Hunting, are You Done.......
Replies: 17
Views: 7777

Re: Other Hunting, are You Done.......

I still deer hunt and fly fish though not as often as I'd like. But hunting with dogs is definitely my favorite outdoor activity. These days I take off a week ea. December to deer hunt (firearm) on family land and fly fish sporadically, maybe 3 or 4 times a year, luckily there's quality public land ...
by porochi
Wed May 29, 2019 12:32 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: GSP attacking ducks
Replies: 12
Views: 5374

Re: GSP attacking ducks

Pretty simple. Keep closer tabs on him and nic him if he goes after more ducks. He's doing what GSP's do. Mine recently darn near swam across a lake in pursuit of a tame goose that swam only a few yards in front. I had to nic him numerous times till he finally turned back. I let him point then pursu...
by porochi
Tue Apr 02, 2019 10:19 pm
Forum: Training
Topic: Training an excitable dog?
Replies: 58
Views: 32089

Re: Training an excitable dog?

Simply put, to state the obvious, quail tend to hold. Pheasant don't. So a far ranging dog tends to bump pheasants out of range. I've seen that too many times to count. My guy ranges too far when I'm in pheasant country. I want him working within shotgun range at all times. If we're in east Kansas w...
by porochi
Mon Apr 01, 2019 11:37 am
Forum: Health and Nutrition
Topic: Effect of spaying/neutering on performance?
Replies: 9
Views: 6047

Re: Effect of spaying/neutering on performance?

Well, I've been told it's better for their overall health, but one of the main reasons is places I want to kennel him, when I'm out of town, which is frequent, won't accept an intact male dog. There's some local kennels that have indoor or outdoor dog parks and they'd let him run free much of the da...
by porochi
Mon Apr 01, 2019 9:25 am
Forum: Health and Nutrition
Topic: Effect of spaying/neutering on performance?
Replies: 9
Views: 6047

Effect of spaying/neutering on performance?

My male GSP is nearly 3 yr.'s old. He's intact. I'm considering having him neutered but wondering if/how that could affect his personality and performance? He' s a hard charging, far ranging, intense hunter. His prey drive and hunt instinct is excellent, he won't give up, has great stamina and I'm v...
by porochi
Mon Apr 01, 2019 8:56 am
Forum: Training
Topic: Training an excitable dog?
Replies: 58
Views: 32089

Re: Training an excitable dog?

Yeah, I've wondered about that. He ranges out pretty far and I generally let him because we mostly hunt quail. If we're pheasant hunting it's a bit of a struggle keeping him close so he doesn't flush pheasants out of range, I have to stim. him often to keep him from ranging out too far. If I let him...
by porochi
Thu Mar 28, 2019 11:14 pm
Forum: Training
Topic: Training an excitable dog?
Replies: 58
Views: 32089

Re: Training an excitable dog?

Good advice on here, lots of experience I can tell. I think we're starting to turn a corner, maybe, lately he's started retrieving a tossed ball, toy, stick, etc. in exchange for a treat. But maybe 30% of the time. He'll usually go through his obedience paces too, sit, stay, etc., but for treats. No...
by porochi
Tue Mar 26, 2019 10:22 pm
Forum: Training
Topic: Training an excitable dog?
Replies: 58
Views: 32089

Re: Training an excitable dog?

Thanks all. Good advice. My GSP is e-collar conditioned. I've hunted over him and near daily turn him loose to run free in open fields, dog parks,etc. He responds well to tone and naturally checks in with me when we're out. I'm working on fetch and hunt dead.. He has basic obedience down somewhat, h...
by porochi
Mon Mar 25, 2019 10:15 pm
Forum: Training
Topic: Training an excitable dog?
Replies: 58
Views: 32089

Training an excitable dog?

Just wondering how other GSP owners get their dog's attention long enough to effectively train them? My 3 yr. old male GSP's energy and excitement level borders on what I'd call "explosive." I can't get him to be still long enough for a good training session. I'm his 3rd owner, got him about a year ...
by porochi
Sat Mar 16, 2019 12:55 pm
Forum: Training
Topic: Training GSP to retrieve w/out FF
Replies: 43
Views: 23833

Re: Training GSP to retrieve w/out FF

My GSP has no interest in retrieving dummies, toys, sticks, balls, etc. He just won't do it. He wants to run, sniff and find game. He seems to lack any retrieve instinct. Now if I lathered the dummy in bacon grease he might at least go after it. But bring it back? Nope. I'm determined to train him m...
by porochi
Fri Mar 15, 2019 9:51 pm
Forum: Training
Topic: Training GSP to retrieve w/out FF
Replies: 43
Views: 23833

Training GSP to retrieve w/out FF

How do you get your 3 year old GSP to retrieve when he has zero interest in it? He's a darn good hunting dog in all other respects but that's a big hole in his game. I'm familiar with the force fetch technique but training that way, that's just not me. I won't train him using FF techniques. But what...
by porochi
Sun Jan 13, 2019 10:30 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Dog won't find dead birds
Replies: 8
Views: 3083

Re: Dog won't find dead birds

My GSP is 2.5 yr.'s old and already I'm his 3rd owner. I bought him from a preserve where he was kept as a guide dog for canned hunts. I was the 1st to hunt him on wild birds. Undoubtedly he's picked up bad habits along the way but I love his drive and range. If I can get him to hunt dead and retrie...
by porochi
Sat Jan 12, 2019 11:03 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Dog won't find dead birds
Replies: 8
Views: 3083

Dog won't find dead birds

Wondering why it is that my GSP is great at finding quail in the thickest cover imaginable but once they're downed it's as though he can't smell them anymore. A few days ago he did great repeatedly finding quail in the thickest cover we've ever hunted, so I know his nose is working just fine; howeve...
by porochi
Mon Dec 03, 2018 10:10 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Dog boots/leg protection
Replies: 13
Views: 6011

Re: Dog boots/leg protection

What's a tube boot? And where do you get them?
by porochi
Mon Dec 03, 2018 10:05 pm
Forum: Training
Topic: how is that deadbirds sometimes seem invisible
Replies: 33
Views: 9118

Re: how is that deadbirds sometimes seem invisible

Happens to me too. My GSP is great at finding live birds but sucks at finding dead ones. I'm better at hunting dead than he is. So we make a great pair. I need him to find the live ones and he needs me to find the dead ones.
by porochi
Fri Nov 30, 2018 9:48 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Footwear for dogs?
Replies: 1
Views: 1764

Footwear for dogs?

I've seen a variety of hunting dog booties for sale lately, or whatever you want to call them. Dog shoes. Anyone use those? How do the dogs take it? Thought of getting a set after my GSP cut his foot slightly while we were hunting recently but didn't. They'd cover his whole foot, nails and all. I th...
by porochi
Thu Nov 29, 2018 5:29 pm
Forum: Off Topic Forum
Topic: I champion the use of dogs for all kinds of hunting.
Replies: 53
Views: 54046

Re: I champion the use of dogs for all kinds of hunting.

I take it you've never hunted a full section of Kansas CRP. Good luck spotting and stalking pheasants and quail there. And you're on the wrong forum if you're advocating upland hunting sans dog. This is the Gun Dog Forum. For me the thought of upland hunting without dogs is heresy. The entire point ...
by porochi
Thu Nov 29, 2018 2:47 pm
Forum: Off Topic Forum
Topic: I champion the use of dogs for all kinds of hunting.
Replies: 53
Views: 54046

Re: I champion the use of dogs for all kinds of hunting.

Simple. If you hunt right the deer will come to you. No dogs needed to drive them. But pheasants and quail won't come to you. You must find them. Thus a dog comes in handy then.
by porochi
Wed Nov 28, 2018 9:48 am
Forum: Off Topic Forum
Topic: I champion the use of dogs for all kinds of hunting.
Replies: 53
Views: 54046

Re: I champion the use of dogs for all kinds of hunting.

I would never shoot a dog for running and killing deer. It's not as if deer are an endangered species. That's a horrible thing to do. Shooting a dog for acting like, well, a dog. I've hunted deer in the south that are run by dogs. It's not uncommon. But even where disallowed that's hardly an excuse ...
by porochi
Sun Nov 18, 2018 10:25 am
Forum: Training
Topic: Best way to get a dog to hunt dead?
Replies: 15
Views: 6126

Re: Best way to get a dog to hunt dead?

When hunting my dog pretty much ignores treats though. He's usually food motivated but when hunting he won't respond to treats until we're back at the truck.
by porochi
Sat Nov 17, 2018 10:10 pm
Forum: Training
Topic: Best way to get a dog to hunt dead?
Replies: 15
Views: 6126

Best way to get a dog to hunt dead?

My GSP is great at finding live birds but not so great at finding dead ones. Today we flushed 4 coveys of quail and while I was looking for the downed ones he was off chasing singles. I can get him to come over to where the bird fell but he'll do one or two passes then he's off tracking down the res...
by porochi
Sat Nov 17, 2018 9:48 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: What do you carry?
Replies: 25
Views: 12897

Re: What do you carry?

Toilet paper!
by porochi
Thu Nov 08, 2018 11:06 pm
Forum: Training
Topic: Problem Neighbor
Replies: 30
Views: 9642

Re: Problem Neighbor

Um, new e collar and don't be afraid to zap him when he runs off. A few times then he'll figure it out.
by porochi
Mon Nov 05, 2018 10:58 pm
Forum: Guns and Ammo
Topic: Looking for my first O/U
Replies: 14
Views: 10719

Re: Looking for my first O/U

I shoot a Winchester 101 12 ga. O/U. An old classic O/U, but a great shotgun with good balance.
by porochi
Mon Nov 05, 2018 10:50 pm
Forum: Hunting
Topic: Kansas opener
Replies: 1
Views: 3606

Kansas opener

Kansas pheasant/quail opener is this weekend. Who's going? I'm starting in the Great Bend area Saturday and hitting a mix of public and private property west of there on down to Larned, KS. Last year kicked up more quail than pheasant, usually other way around. Oh darn. Hope it's the same this year....
by porochi
Mon Nov 05, 2018 10:36 pm
Forum: Training
Topic: Tips for getting a dog to hunt in thick brush
Replies: 40
Views: 16568

Re: Tips for getting a dog to hunt in thick brush

I often have to get into the thick stuff with my GSP. He'll usually range on ahead of me regardless of cover but only if I'm in it with him. Makes for some tough walking sometimes! But if I'm behind him he'll burrow right into the thickest cover imaginable.
by porochi
Mon Oct 22, 2018 11:42 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Fatherly Advice: At what age did you take your kids hunting?
Replies: 20
Views: 8752

Re: Fatherly Advice: At what age did you take your kids hunting?

Alright, since you insist, here goes: I have lots of kids myself (4) so I speak from considerable experience; firearms and tiny children do not mix. Period. When in the field with a loaded gun, that gun, your field of fire, you awareness of same, that's everything you should be focused on. Having a ...
by porochi
Tue Oct 16, 2018 11:02 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Fatherly Advice: At what age did you take your kids hunting?
Replies: 20
Views: 8752

Re: Fatherly Advice: At what age did you take your kids hunting?

From a father of 4, incl. 3 girls, 2 1/2 is too young, especially if you are going to do any shooting. If I need to explain why shooting firearms around a baby is a bad idea, well, I won't bother. I would never take a baby, and that's what she is, hunting. If I ever went on a hunt where some bozo br...
by porochi
Fri Sep 14, 2018 11:35 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: What energy boost/snack do you use?
Replies: 17
Views: 6841

What energy boost/snack do you use?

My GSP, male, 2 yrs., can run for hours but will crash when done. He's spent. This will be my first full hunting season with him. I'm wondering how he'll hold up going this hard over a long weekend hunt, several days in a row. I'm wondering what energy booster or snacks are best to give your dog whe...
by porochi
Wed Sep 12, 2018 9:06 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Is your kennel lined with artificial turf?
Replies: 37
Views: 12602

Re: Is your kennel lined with artificial turf?

I laid the K9 grass in my kennel myself, over ground, not cement. But my GSP manages to pull up a corner and roll up a section so he can lay on the dirt. He hates laying directly on the k9 turf. not sure why, maybe irritates his skin. I leave it in kennel nonetheless because it helps keep the ground...
by porochi
Tue Sep 11, 2018 10:36 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Is your kennel lined with artificial turf?
Replies: 37
Views: 12602

Re: Is your kennel lined with artificial turf?

I have the K9 grass in my GSP's run. He doesn't like it and continually digs at it until he can roll up a section and expose the dirt underneath. Then he promptly plops down and lays on the dirt. No matter what I do to secure it he always manages to roll up a few feet and lays on the dirt. Now I jus...
by porochi
Wed Sep 05, 2018 9:57 pm
Forum: Hunting
Topic: Kansas DIY Hunters
Replies: 6
Views: 5126

Re: Kansas DIY Hunters

do you run a KS private hunting preserve or a guide service or...?
by porochi
Fri Aug 24, 2018 6:33 pm
Forum: Hunting
Topic: KS vs SD
Replies: 9
Views: 6001

Re: KS vs SD

Yes. Definitely have to work for them when hunting KS WIHA but I almost always get into some, sometimes quite a few, other times not. Regardless, the dogs love it, there's lot of land for them to cover, lots of different tracts to hit and you can easily spend a weekend hunting WIHA tract after tract...
by porochi
Fri Aug 24, 2018 12:34 am
Forum: Hunting
Topic: KS vs SD
Replies: 9
Views: 6001

Re: KS vs SD

In KS you can hunt all day and don't have to wait till what, is it noon or 1 pm in SD to start hunting? The one time I went there that drove me nuts, missing out on early morning hunting. I live in and only hunt birds in KS. Don't own any land in KS and know few who do. The walk-in-hunting- (WIHA) p...
by porochi
Fri Aug 24, 2018 12:23 am
Forum: Training
Topic: Is my GSP hunting too fast?
Replies: 13
Views: 5844

Re: Is my GSP hunting too fast?

Your GSP sounds like mine, also 2. He hunts very fast and has spooked birds who then flushed well out of range. I tend to let him just do his wild run thing for the first 30 minutes of so of the hunt, he'll usually settle down and start hunting seriously and closer, after that, but when we first sta...
by porochi
Thu Aug 16, 2018 9:24 pm
Forum: Hunting
Topic: Kansas DIY... First Attempt
Replies: 13
Views: 9540

Re: Kansas DIY... First Attempt

Counties in the NW part of the western 3rd of Kansas seem to usually come in higher during the annual bird count. And those are easily accessible off of I-70, which crosses the NW part of the state and WIHA tracts are heavily concentrated there, e.g. Graham and Trego counties.
by porochi
Thu Aug 16, 2018 9:11 pm
Forum: Guns and Ammo
Topic: New rifle
Replies: 9
Views: 8254

Re: New rifle

I have MS which causes a slight hand tremor. A bull barrel helps compensate for that. I hunt from box stands, the extra weight isn't a problem so I want a heavy rifle that I can hold steady on target. On our property I can have shots out to 200-300 yards, or more, and I've made all of those shots wi...
by porochi
Mon Aug 13, 2018 11:35 pm
Forum: Guns and Ammo
Topic: New rifle
Replies: 9
Views: 8254

New rifle

I hunt upland game and deer. Currently looking for a new rifle for upcoming deer season. I want a bolt action, bull barrel 30.06. All I can seem to find is a .308 bull barrel. But 30.06 is my caliber, been using it since a kid and I'm sticking to it. And I have my reasons for wanting a bull barrel, ...
by porochi
Mon Aug 13, 2018 11:05 pm
Forum: Hunting
Topic: Kansas DIY... First Attempt
Replies: 13
Views: 9540

Re: Kansas DIY... First Attempt

I live and hunt in KS. Western third of the state has plenty of Walk-in-Hunting-Areas (WIHA). Check out the map on the KDWPT website for details or pick up a free atlas at any Walmart or most sporting goods stores when in the state. The middle part of the state has had good quail numbers the past 2 ...
by porochi
Sun Jul 15, 2018 9:50 am
Forum: Hunting
Topic: What do you think of the land quality where you hunt?
Replies: 36
Views: 15905

Re: What do you think of the land quality where you hunt?

I always dove hunt opening weekend in KS. KDWP plants sunflowers on designated fields and the dove hunting can be pretty good. But usually after 2-3 days of being shot at all the time the doves seem to wise up and avoid the food plots on public land. Dove hunting is a warm up and my GSP won't sit st...
by porochi
Sat Jul 14, 2018 11:28 pm
Forum: Hunting
Topic: What do you think of the land quality where you hunt?
Replies: 36
Views: 15905

Re: What do you think of the land quality where you hunt?

Kansas has leased private land for public hunting since 1995 and annually enrolls at least a million acres statewide in the program, called Walk In Hunting Area (WIHA). You can pick up an atlas with maps of all parcels, some as large as a full section (640 acres) or more at any Walmart or most sport...
by porochi
Wed Jul 04, 2018 1:42 pm
Forum: Guns and Ammo
Topic: What do you think of Benelli shotguns?
Replies: 14
Views: 13096

Re: What do you think of Benelli shotguns?

Had a Benelli Nova 12 ga pump but sold it. The magazine shut off button is slap in the middle of the stock, making it very easy to inadvertently hit, especially if you are wearing gloves. Man, I don't know how many times I couldn't get off a 2nd shot at ducks, quail or pheasant because I bumped the ...
by porochi
Wed Jun 27, 2018 10:08 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Reinforcing obedience with E collar
Replies: 22
Views: 6795

Re: Reinforcing obedience with E collar

My 2 yr. old GSP does the same thing the OP described. I was hesitant to use the E-collar to reinforce basic obedience but am now. Off season like now we're working to reinforce heel, stay and other basic obedience commands but when out and about he loses his head and just goes wherever his nose tak...
by porochi
Wed Jun 20, 2018 12:45 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Hunting with a crowd?
Replies: 13
Views: 4618

Re: Hunting with a crowd?

This group is my ticket to some great private spots. In fact, I hardly ever hunt without this group. But now that I have my own dog I'm extraordinarily fearful that the new guy in the group, and there's always at least one, won't be experienced, or careful, and will shoot my dog. A couple guys in th...
by porochi
Wed Jun 20, 2018 11:08 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Hunting with a crowd?
Replies: 13
Views: 4618

Hunting with a crowd?

I bought my GSP last January just before pheasant season ended so only got in a few hunts. My usual upland hunts consist of traveling to Western Kansas with a large group of friends and hunting vast CRP tracts, sometimes full sections. I've been doing this for years but never with my own dog. This y...
by porochi
Tue May 22, 2018 10:49 pm
Forum: Health and Nutrition
Topic: Best gun dog food?
Replies: 13
Views: 8069

Re: Best gun dog food?

He's had the runs off and on since I got him in late January. His vomit is foamy white/creamy with grass in it. I feed him twice a day, morning and evening. He's a GSP, 22 mos, 50 lbs. I think I'm going to take him to a different vet and get a 2nd opinion. He might have a parasite as this has been g...
by porochi
Mon May 21, 2018 11:03 pm
Forum: Health and Nutrition
Topic: Best gun dog food?
Replies: 13
Views: 8069

Best gun dog food?

My GSP, 22 mos, male, seems to be a picky eater. Haven't found a food he'll eat consistently and not get diarrhea. I've owned him for a little over 4 months. I've taken him to the vet and he recommends uber expensive Science Diet, Digestive Aid, at $2.95 per can! That'd add up in a hurry feeding thi...