Gun Dog Forum

Featherfinder

I hunt near Thesalon, ON and Iroqouis Falls, ON for grouse, sharptail and woodcock. Hey...I think I just got tricked?!?!? No, wait...I hunt in Toronto, ON...yeah....that's it. Well, CJ, if a wolf or yote or whatever chases down one of my dogs, I'm reaching for a "special load". I won't be posting pi...

Featherfinder

Self-relocating is - for me - a wonderful, productive, asset in a pointing dog. I'm with you Dandrus. Relocating is great, as long as a premature flush doesn't occur. That said, I like to keep things simple for my dogs. He/she can do whatever produces birds but if a bird goes up, regardless of the s...

Featherfinder

Give it a shot Dandrus (no bell). I think you can expect a transition period but once you make the leap, it is unlikely you will ever go back. I'm just curious though. I'm not sure about the "relocating with a bell" thing? I'm not arguing your intent - I'm asking how that better serves you, please? ...

Featherfinder

The whole family is musically inclined!!
Awesome video! Thanks Sharon.

Featherfinder

Impressive view! Where is this? Stunning...

Featherfinder

Couldn't open this. ???

Featherfinder

Excellent posting Mike!! More true words are rarely spoken. I have been at this a long time and continue to learn. That said, there still remains today a volatility in the acquisition process that can compromise your excellent template. Stacking the odds in your favor is - if not a guarantee - unden...

Featherfinder

mnaj_springer, I see it the same way. It can be exciting to see/hear what goes on that would otherwise be drowned out or alters wildlife behavior in general, because of that pinging bell. The upside is that some folk have added a bell to ward off bears, etc. In-other-words, it's pretty hard to say t...

Featherfinder

Good idea dandrus….ditch those bells. Once you make the adjustment (it won't take much at all), you'll be SO glad you did.
And, as Averageguy pointed out, so will your dog!

Featherfinder

Sounds like "The Good Lady" also has a good eye!

Featherfinder

Hey Big Tub, I too hunted Mearns and desert birds again this past season! Man do I miss it. Not sure if you had the same experience but Mearns typically hold like rocks BUT some coveys ran like rats!!! Hope they don't go the way of woodcock. When I started hunting woodcock, you could take pictures o...

Featherfinder

So, what do you use to "bag" them, 6s or 7 1/2s?

Featherfinder

Averageguy/Polmaise, would either of you be so kind as to share your recipes for feed bag under glass or feed bag al l'orange?
I've tried a couple of different ones and they all taste quite stringy.

Featherfinder

Thank you kindly for sharing!!

Featherfinder

I'm with Averageguy. NO bell! As for the impact on birds of a bell versus no bell, my experience in hunting most all of the wild birds I've hunted including game farm pheasants, is that it's always advantageous to hunt as quietly as you possibly can. Beyond that I find bells intrusive, often give me...

Featherfinder

I have never owned a horse but trialed many years using wrangler horses. Never took any riding lessons, or anything like that. Just got on. ??? I remember as a child, my grandfather (long since deceased) would take me for a ride into the country so that I could stand there watching horses for hours ...

Featherfinder

Very sloppy retrieve in my books!

A little levity goes a long way. Thanks.

Featherfinder

Love the FIRE....and water!!!

Featherfinder

What a bold/sassy little pup!
Love what you're doing with her.
Enjoy...they grow up fast!

Featherfinder

Holy smokes!!! Nice pics!
Whomever got that has a great prize!

Featherfinder

THAT'S what I'm talking about NEHomer - which we need to do here but are not ! Perhaps we will....later. ?? That's the right approach as I see it. Doing nothing, going out into public places, birthday parties, funeral homes, gyms, etc. etc. etc. WILL increase risk.....period. Let's not try to shut t...

Featherfinder

I said "Some". So, why aren't we using a viable tool such as e-learning? It is not my intention to crap on anyone. Averageguy, you're missing the point. They may have had previous illnesses. They may have had weakened immune systems. They may have been aged. What you cannot dispute is that they were...

Featherfinder

Well said Shags. I agree 100% with CJ. Italy took a casual approach to C-19. The count today is 3000 dead …and counting! Some see 3000 simply as a number. If it's just ONE person in your family, suddenly it's much more than a number! Physical-distancing is REQUIRED - not social-distancing. If it is ...

Featherfinder

That video put a smile on my face! Thank you Sir. Imagine what you would have minus the hand gestures and pips! That dog is assuredly capable of that. I'm with you. Pips and gestures are show-boating and may have place in trials but have little-to-no place in effective wild bird hunting. Thanks agai...

Featherfinder

I sincerely hope that is not the case for you CJ or any of us. That said, it is what it is.
I have my faith in the Big Guy. He will make the call regarding not only Covid-19. I humbly accept His decisions.
I had surgery in 2004 (I was 1 week from 50). Every day after that, is a blessing.

Featherfinder

VERY nice Vizsla Polmaise! CJ, I see no reason for the mods to shut you out. What did you say that was inappropriate??? I think you are being too hard on yourself. I for one, welcome your input. I have noticed - as an aside - that you also enjoy my postings. Please hang around Sir. It won't be the s...

Featherfinder

When we compete in trials/tests we run in braces - with one other dog. Typically, that other dog is of a similar age but more importantly of a similar caliber (not always but mostly). Furthermore, their are rules or expectations specific to that event. Running multiple gun dogs of varying levels of ...

Featherfinder

Polmaise, excellent video! My dogs handle exquisitely for me, minus the active handler intervention BUT I use pointing dogs so there is no need for handler intervention to the admirable extent you conveyed. In fact, it has been my experience that many folk that have had retrievers/flushers previousl...

Featherfinder

Nice to meet you Sir!

Featherfinder

Excellent Fitter, and that is what forums are all about - providing a variation of opinions. Some folk deem their opinions or those with another view to be either right or wrong. It's not necessarily like that. If you are going to guide with your dogs, keep them at the forefront so that they remain ...

Featherfinder

CJ, you seem to be struggling with my offering. If you want to golf, I recommend you use a set of golf clubs. If you want to play hockey, so be it but I suggest you use a hockey stick. I shouldn't have to tell you not to use a hockey stick on the golf course CJ but it doesn't mean you CAN'T. Since I...

Featherfinder

CJ et al, like I said, if it's what you enjoy, it's what you should do. There is NO salient advantage is all I said. Or perhaps I should add that the marginal or perceived advantages are FAR out-weighed by the potential for disaster? There is always an opportunity for something to go askew even with...

Featherfinder

I only hunt one dog at a time and I have 2 of my own so.... I've been part of/witnessed many "multiple dog" hunts. They typically end up being more of a deterrent than an advantage BUT it all depends on your definition of performance quality and what you look for in your bird hunting experience. For...

Featherfinder

...treadmill, for safety reasons driven by where you live. Now, if you can take your dog(s) and bike to a remote area... Even then, a dog with a healthy prey drive can be distracted. If you go down and get hurt, you could possibly be injured IN A REMOTE AREA. I didn't/don't use either but I guess so...

Featherfinder

MGIII, thanks for your take on the coming season. I am a proud member of the Southern Arizona Quail Forever (SAQF) conservation team. They are doing amazing conservation work with teams of volunteers that actually put their BACKS and donations where their mouth is. They are making a tangible improve...

Featherfinder

I admittedly am not a camera buff - although I was back in the day when I owned a Minolta 700X (35mm) with a series of lenses. I just don't have the interest anymore. That said, I LOVE most the pics on this forum. I am much easier to please and appreciate them just the way they are. I have yet to se...

Featherfinder

Congrats DonF!

Featherfinder

What a FIREBALL that dog is!! I love that! Don't tempt me Polmaise.... I might end up single again though if I bring home another dog. I brought my Rita home to train then sell. My wife occasionally asks me, "So...when are you selling that dog?" I just smile. She isn't going anywhere. I recall walki...

Featherfinder

Wow...best comment I've read in a LONG time and I quote, "Keep on training and enjoy your dog." Now, that is...spiritual! We can ALL do well/better on that offering. BTW - no-one/no dog gets it right 100% of the time. :wink: I can't quite remember the exact words but I read something that went like,...

Featherfinder

Thanks Steve! Might have to take my grandchildren to see it!

Featherfinder

I apologize for not being clear Averageguy. I do that a lot trying to put racing thoughts into words for this medium. (Came with the gray hair, I think.) I'm with you. Obedience commands - all of them - SHOULD have little to do with how a dog applies itself in the field. In fact, my dogs admittedly ...

Featherfinder

LOVE watching the fire in that springer Polmaise!! Thank you Sir! Yup, there are many ways to skin the proverbial cat. At the end of the day, the LESS uttered while achieving lofty results - the better! Wild birds don't appreciate strangers in their proximity, especially loud blabby ones! This much ...

Featherfinder

Aaahh...Averageguy, you mimic what I was trying to say. So, I'm not alone. I like to complete the silent process for my dogs, that's all. They soon learn that complete silence actually means a shot bird (if I don't miss :oops: but that is part of the learning too). Then again, I might even carry a d...

Featherfinder

Quote: " In order to attain steady to wing and shot and especially kill, we have to have some type voice command or hand command in the beginning to stop the dog, we are not always in a position to catch it. " DonF, I appreciate there are many processes for steadying a dog. That aside, it is my phil...

Featherfinder

Great gesture Bam!
Hey, love that dog in your avatar Oscar. Miller dog?

Featherfinder

As many know, my take on things can be....diverse. So Bam, here is a perfect example of why I rarely use "Whoa" when hunting my dogs (which are completely steady and retrieve). Whoa, as has been stated on a number of occasions is an obedience command. Perhaps it's just me but obedience has it's plac...

Featherfinder

Averageguy, you appear to be good with dogs, good with the gun, good with the camera too!

Featherfinder

I think Ratdog's dog won the lottery too. As for the multiple trainers....time will tell.
Stay tuned!

Featherfinder

Thank you very much Sharon/Averageguy!
All-in-all, I consider myself blessed.
Oh....I had the pleasure of working my dogs for gents from Montana and New Mexico.
Got an invite for hunting NM for scalies next year!

Featherfinder

Zeus Standing Gambels Resized II.jpg

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