Gun Dog Forum

fishvik

Go for it. I've had numerous pointer/retriever crosses and all have been great bird dogs. They were all retrieving machines in and out of water. They all had coats that were good enough to deal with cold water. Most were close working dogs that flashed a point and then flushed if the bird moved.

fishvik

My main argument with a rope, particularly with large dummys, is they get in a bad habit of retrieving with the rope. This leads to the dog wanting to "play" with the swinging dummy. I like to use a very short stout rope that just fits through the hole in the dummy. I tie a figure eight knot in the ...

fishvik

Don, Lots of folks do not now the value of Cheat Grass :cry: Cheatgrass has some food value for chukars and quail but that is about it's only benefit. It has been the kiss of death for many species of birds. Those native species of the sagebrush steppe community have suffered due the increase in fi...

fishvik

Actually Don, Boise is the banana belt of Idaho. The rest of us in Idaho say when folks in Boise start thinking they need parka, the same weather for the rest of us means putting on a long sleeve shirt.

fishvik

Ever notice all these hunting videos on YouTube? Isn't it funny how the map coordinates of the hunting places are never disclosed? No. +1 You know I worked in the natural resource business for over 40 yrs, FS, BLM and F&G. When I started we all learned to read a map, use a compass, look at the sky ...

fishvik

I have given you some suggestions that are cheap and fit your criteria. Here are a couple of more. If you go east on I-84, the next three exits out of Boise, Blacks Creek, Mayfield and Simco Rd. all have lots of public land to train on. Blacks Cr. and Mayfield have small reservoirs where you can wat...

fishvik

In the words of "Bubba" Gonna take the key to the medicine cabinet away ? In the interest of health & Safety if nothing else . That's a new one but I like it. I lived in Boise for close to 10 years and trained 2 dogs there. I can think of no town of that size that has so much available land to trai...

fishvik

Jon, 1.Take an Idaho Hunter Ed course. 2. Buy an inexpensive shotgun, Mossberg or Rem 870, 3. Go to Walmart and buy some inexpensive shotgun shells, 4. Buy a hand thrower and some clay pigeons. 5. Go out to the Mayfield Exit off the Interstate east of Boise with a buddy and practice with your shotgu...

fishvik

Doves are small and very fine feathered that are shed easily when a dog picks them up. You normally hunt dove's when it is warm, in Idaho a cold front sends them south. This makes picking up a dove by a dog a mouth filling with small feathers experience. Add this to panting and dogs may not want to ...

fishvik

There is an online site for reporting them. www.reportband.gov. You'll need the number and when and where the band was recovered. They will send you a certificate that will tell you when, where and who banded the bird. I've shot a lot of doves but never a banded one. Lots of ducks and geese though.

fishvik

I seen numerous birds fly when heart shot. They eventually fall but sometimes after an amazing distance. I had a sharptail fly what I figure had to be a 300 yd circle and then fold about 25 yds from where I shot it as I was ready to shoot it again.

fishvik

All of the domestic varieties of pigeons; homers, tumblers and the fancy varieties, have all descended from the rock dove (Columb livia).

fishvik

greg jacobs wrote:About a quarter pound.

Greg's answer is about as good as any. Generally pigeons are larger than doves. But the common Columba livia aka. "barn duck", "flying rat" is technically called a rock dove.

fishvik

The corvids; crows, ravens, magpies and jays are a controversial lot. They are very intelligent and adaptable. Europeans changes in land use have benefited them. Magpies and ravens are notorious nest predators and there is some good evidence they can have a significant impact on ground nesting game ...

fishvik

I don't know why crows are even regulated: I thought they all were nasty pests. Who wants to eat crow anyhow?

They are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act with Mexico and Canada. Some folks eat them, particularly south of the border.

fishvik

I agree with Ezzy. I've had misfires or forgotten to load and never remember flinching. I think Ezzy is right there are too many things going on to flinch from what is a pretty light recoil. I shoot an 870 with 1 1/8 oz loads usually.

fishvik

It might be a good idea to keep some records of your hunting when you start. Being a biologist by training, I've been keeping a hunting diary for about 40 years now. Where I hunted, birds flushed, birds shot, dog used, general habitat conditions, etc. It has been helpful for end of year reports to F...

fishvik

Jon, By far the best bird hunting, except maybe for pheasants, in Idaho is public land. I have spent almost 50 years in this state and I have shot my share of grouse, quail, huns, chukars, doves and waterfowl on state and federal lands here. As a matter of fact while the quality of upland bird habit...

fishvik

No the meat must be attached to proof of species. And as Ezzy said why not just take home the whole bird.[/quote] Not true. Dove can be cleaned without leaving head/wing. From Feds: Species identification requirement No person shall transport within the United States any migratory game birds, except...

fishvik

It is pretty common that a hunting breed dog finds itself at a local pound. Educate yourself and then rescue one is my advice. I've owned numerous dogs that came from this route. Almost all were outstanding hunters. Boise has as a large shelter, or go to http://dog.rescueme.org/Idaho and you'll hav...

fishvik

I think you are over emphasizing recoil. Unlike rifle shooting your firearm is in motion, and you are instinctually pointing not aiming. These lead to less perception of recoil. I have not noticed much difference in recoil between lead loads and steel loads.

fishvik

Early in the season I skin and gut birds in the field and put them in a cooler with ice. The guts go to the dogs. Later in the season I just gut in the field, and reward the dogs. I usually keep all the meat from my birds up to the first joint in the wing along with drumsticks on birds bigger than ...

fishvik

Early in the season I skin and gut birds in the field and put them in a cooler with ice. The guts go to the dogs. Later in the season I just gut in the field, and reward the dogs. I usually keep all the meat from my birds up to the first joint in the wing along with drumsticks on birds bigger than q...

fishvik

IMAG0019.JPG The Internet and all the experts said to use Cones as markers 'MG' . So I followed their advise :lol: I'm not so sure how the dog interpreted it from text ? :roll: :wink: I think that is what is known here in the states as a "Yellowline Laborer Retriever". A good breed to have here dur...

fishvik

'Elsewhere' isn't a rough crowd , merely one that can smell a rat in a hole a mile off. Much like a good 'Earth Dog' - Terrier' (Thanks for the e-mail btw 'MG' Hope you are well and enjoyed the 4th') .........One's that want to run 500+ marks and blinds do it because they can ! One's that can't, si...

fishvik

Thanks......too quick a look and an assumption, with anything, is never good, eh? That's okay, we old timers have to watch out for each other. By the way, I totally agree with your post, I'm really hoping this guy gets some training before he goes to the field. I'm afraid, being an instructor, that...

fishvik

Mountaineer, That was actually a flat coated retriever, not a Lab.

fishvik

Idaho, compared to many other states is a bird hunters paradise. A hunters paradise in general actually Huntable populations of 3 species of forest grouse, 2 species of prairie grouse, 2 species of quail, chukars, huns, pheasants, waterfowl, and doves if you do you homework to find them, Jeez Jon I...

fishvik

I would still have to check my game regs to see if orange is required. In stationary hunting you don't have men roaming all over the field while guns are banging away. The dogs just work underneath the gunfire. I think I would still have my retrievers in orange vests at the dove stand or duck blind...

fishvik

It is commonly known that camo is worn for bird hunting when the birds are coming to the hunter, like doves, waterfowl and turkeys. This is to hide the hunter and hunters usually know exactly where the other shooters are and do not put them in a line of fire. When walking up on birds it is a good id...

fishvik

I'm not sure what your major beef with these guys is. These guys were probably encouraged to hunt those invasive Eurasian ringneck doves by the dairy owner because they were fouling feed. They may have fired over vehicles, it's hard to tell if the vehicles were in range from the camera angles. They ...

fishvik

Listening, observing, asking sincere questions and withholding uninformed opinions until well down the road when they become informed ones will be the approach most likely to yield assistance from those with much to teach and a willingness to do so. As a transplant to Idaho (almost 50 years ago) I ...

fishvik

You have plenty of places to train near Boise. East of town at Blacks Creek Resv. or Indian Creek Resv. if it has water. BLM land south of town and Lucky Peak Resv or Arrowrock Resv.

fishvik

averageguy wrote:http://www.treasurevalleynavhda.com

https://idfg.idaho.gov/hunt/education

+1
Definitely a good idea, particularly the hunter ed.

fishvik

art hubbard wrote:We sit on our deck and watch them catch fish out of the Clearwater River which our place sits. we are about 100 ft. from the rivers edge so we get alot of entertainment watching them.

Art, I used to live in Orofino and I'd watch ospreys catch fish and bald eagles take them away.

fishvik

Honestly, I think you should buy a shotgun, learn how to use it and then go hunting few times without a dog. You will figure out...real fast... if this upland and waterfowl hunting thing is something you want to continue with. Join a dog training group and just help out other guys with their dogs t...

fishvik

Every Boyking I've ever met has been absolutely charming. Also hard working, good looking and just plain fun to watch at work. The same amount of coat care as a Golden, they hunt the same way, there are no "bench lines", take to training easily and they are cheaper to feed. Definitely on list for m...

fishvik

The neighbor's bitch that bit me looked more like this red and white ticked English springer spaniel: https://www.google.com/search?q=white+red+spaniel&rlz=1C1CHBF_enUS802&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwizxsTb-PLbAhVvCDQIHWRECooQ_AUICigB&biw=1600&bih=805#imgrc=LNCr3J2UkJCLCM: But by all means...

fishvik

polmaise wrote:
Sharon wrote:Excellent post Jonov!
+1
I particularly like the way it's tabulated ..

+2

fishvik

[quote="CDN_Cocker"]I don't find spaniels visually attractive as I do Goldens. Most spaniels I find downright homely.I know some spaniels have a nasty temper and bite. The spaniel bitch my neighbor had bit me in the ankle once unprovoked. My guess is the spaniel that bit you was an American Cocker, ...

fishvik

polmaise wrote:You should have asked your Uncle , who was He-ll bent on a retriever hunting ducks in your Good ole ... State .
God rest his sole .

Aye Laddie, you're doin' a wee bit of crackin' me up.

fishvik

I'm not sure that book exists. Here are some I've used in training dogs for hunting but not trailing. Training the Versatile Gun Dog : A Complete Guide to Training Versatile Gun Dogs for Hunting in North America, by Jerome J. Knap Hunting Dog Know How, by David Michael Duffy Hunting Dogs, by F. Phil...

fishvik

Personally, I've always considered any dog that hunts upland birds, waterfowl or small game a gun dog. This would include the bird dogs (Pointers, setters, spaniels and retrievers) with curs, beagles and some terriers that are used for squirrels, rabbits and hares. Sight hounds as opposed to treeing...

fishvik

I agree with Busting, a Lab over a Golden for what you want. But I'd still look into a Boykin Spaniel, they have all the things you want. Being single, Boykins are even a good chick magnet.

fishvik

I'd say definitely yes if you have the time and the desire to do it. Get some books or videos, some basic equipment (leashes, check cords, dummies, and maybe an e-collar) and if possible some training buddies. Start with a young dog and develop a relationship with it, keep training session short but...

fishvik

JonB and average, one must remember that field trials are games and not real hunting. There are lots of things that I feel could be tested in trials that would add to breeds ability to retrieve, rather than handling at 500 yds. Dealing with moving water, not having to swim or run straight lines (ins...

fishvik

JonB, As a fellow spud hunter, I'd look into a Boykin Spaniel. Lots of class and flash, pheasant, grouse and dove hunting machines and they love water. I imagine they would also be great on valley quail. They don't point and they are chocolate colored not red, but they are like the Everready Bunny i...

fishvik

What are you hunting? That time of year forest grouse hunting in S. Idaho tough because we may already have snow. As for traps, I've run into only two in almost 50 years while hunting and both were leghold. My experience is during the trapping haydays of the 70's and 80's most trapper didn't really ...

fishvik

Iso, I have lived and work and hunted in the field in the Great Basin and Northern Rockies for close to fifty years. I've never seen a rattler after the end of Sept. while at work or ever when I was bird hunting. Doves and very early chukar and quail hunting is the time I'd be worried about. My advi...

fishvik

Glad you're safe.

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