Labrador for bird hunting?
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Labrador for bird hunting?
I've been looking at bird dogs, and I think I want a Lab.
But do labs hunt well? the breeder hunts upland birds and waterfowl with the sire and dam.
and I know they're "flushing" dogs so how would I train a flushing dog?
But do labs hunt well? the breeder hunts upland birds and waterfowl with the sire and dam.
and I know they're "flushing" dogs so how would I train a flushing dog?
- gotpointers
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Re: Labrador for bird hunting?
I have more pointers and setters than I do labs. But if I could have just one dog it would be a labrador. The labs don't have the range but they are still very effective.
- birddogger
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Re: Labrador for bird hunting?
I have never trained a flushing dog so I can't be of any help there. But for versatility, I would imagine a lab would be pretty hard to beat. For upland hunting, a lot may depend on the type of bird being hunted but if you could come up with a pointing lab [especially for covey birds] you may end up with an awesome all around hunting dog.
Charlie
Charlie
If you think you can or if you think you can't, you are right either way
Re: Labrador for bird hunting?
Obedience training, then lots of experience in the field. Most hunting is bred in. Some FF, some don't and still have good dogs. A good recall is needed.
Why own a dog? There's a danger you know,
You can't own just one, for the craving will grow.
There's no doubt they're addictive, wherein lies the danger.
While living with lots, you'll grow poorer and stranger.
You can't own just one, for the craving will grow.
There's no doubt they're addictive, wherein lies the danger.
While living with lots, you'll grow poorer and stranger.
Re: Labrador for bird hunting?
Properly introduced to the game a Lab can be a very effective hunting partner. If you are going to hunt the cattails for pheasant they are one of the best dogs to have along.
Re: Labrador for bird hunting?
i had labs long time. only problem i had their heavy coat cant take heat.
doc e has pointing lab that he does well with.
i have both now, i have pointing small munsterlander and flushing lab.
you cant beat a lab around house, great dog.
its nice in summer they love water and will retrieve in your yard, lots of fun.
they are great on pheasants.
doc e has pointing lab that he does well with.
i have both now, i have pointing small munsterlander and flushing lab.
you cant beat a lab around house, great dog.
its nice in summer they love water and will retrieve in your yard, lots of fun.
they are great on pheasants.
- mountaindogs
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Re: Labrador for bird hunting?
I am training my first flusher "now " though he is only 14 weeks right now. My husband wants the to sit before flush and then flush on command but I am not sure hrc allows in testing that so we are debating
- nikegundog
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Re: Labrador for bird hunting?
I don't now what you hunt, but if it pheasants that is the last thing you would want your flusher to do.mountaindogs wrote:I am training my first flusher "now " though he is only 14 weeks right now. My husband wants the to sit before flush and then flush on command but I am not sure hrc allows in testing that so we are debating
Re: Labrador for bird hunting?
labs can be awesome bird dogs, especially for upland. i hunt blue grouse, pheasants as well as waterfowl with mine and they do very very well at both. its all about getting the right dog and then training but labs are super dogs for upland and waterfowl
- mountaindogs
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Re: Labrador for bird hunting?
You are on my sidenikegundog wrote:I don't now what you hunt, but if it pheasants that is the last thing you would want your flusher to do.mountaindogs wrote:I am training my first flusher "now " though he is only 14 weeks right now. My husband wants the to sit before flush and then flush on command but I am not sure hrc allows in testing that so we are debating
I have pointing dogs that do a nice job of stopping.....
Re: Labrador for bird hunting?
TheLukai1100 wrote:I've been looking at bird dogs, and I think I want a Lab.
But do labs hunt well? the breeder hunts upland birds and waterfowl with the sire and dam.
and I know they're "flushing" dogs so how would I train a flushing dog?
Go to the Dakotas during Pheasant season ---- The big majority of dogs being hunted are Labs.
Go to the Refuge during waterfowl season ---- The vast majority of dogs being hunted are Labs.
Labs aren't all "flushing" dogs ---- Pointing Labs are incrediblly versatile.
As far as how to train ---- Get on a modern sequential training program and follow it to the letter.
.
Doc E & HR UH MHR WR SR Black Forest Casey
and
Nami E & HRCH UH HR Sauk River Tucker
and
Nami E & HRCH UH HR Sauk River Tucker
Re: Labrador for bird hunting?
We' re headed to the Dakotas and 1/2 the dogs we will see in the fields will be Labs...and on the week ends when the waterfowlers fill all the rooms to be had (!!!), 90% of their dogs will be Labs. I prefer pointing dogs but even then when you have a dog on point in the thick nasties, its a PITA to walk in and try to flush and shoot a rooster. I have trained my pointing dogs to flush on command but this would seem to me to be what a Lab is made for. In the wide open spacs and grasslands, a pointing dog has an advantage. But sounds like a Lab is exactly what you need. Get a good one and don't look back.Go to the Dakotas during Pheasant season ---- The big majority of dogs being hunted are Labs.
Go to the Refuge during waterfowl season ---- The vast majority of dogs being hunted are Labs.
Re: Labrador for bird hunting?
We also train our Pointing Labs to flush on command.JKP wrote:its a PITA to walk in and try to flush and shoot a rooster. I have trained my pointing dogs to flush on command but this would seem to me to be what a Lab is made for.Go to the Dakotas during Pheasant season ---- The big majority of dogs being hunted are Labs.
Go to the Refuge during waterfowl season ---- The vast majority of dogs being hunted are Labs.
I think the majority of folks with dogs that point are afraid to do this, but I've never seen it to be a problem (regardless of breed).
.
Doc E & HR UH MHR WR SR Black Forest Casey
and
Nami E & HRCH UH HR Sauk River Tucker
and
Nami E & HRCH UH HR Sauk River Tucker
Re: Labrador for bird hunting?
of all years hunting pheasants 2 best dogs i seen are SPRINGER/SMALLER LONG LEGGED LABS.
when pheasants RUN which most do, pointing dog is not way to go,just my opinion.
on early grouse flushing lab is fine.
later when leaves come off etc, flushing dog on grouse is bad.
when pheasants RUN which most do, pointing dog is not way to go,just my opinion.
on early grouse flushing lab is fine.
later when leaves come off etc, flushing dog on grouse is bad.
- prairiefirepointers
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Re: Labrador for bird hunting?
Jim K & Slistoe make good points.
Labs can be very effective depending on your style of hunting. However Labs (Black ones especially) just cant take the warmth.
Personally, I run Pointers (obviously) and utilize my Lab for dead bird recovery. He knows to stay away from the white dogs and hang close to me. When the shots ring out he knows its showtime!
Labs can be very effective depending on your style of hunting. However Labs (Black ones especially) just cant take the warmth.
Personally, I run Pointers (obviously) and utilize my Lab for dead bird recovery. He knows to stay away from the white dogs and hang close to me. When the shots ring out he knows its showtime!
Jess Stucky
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Pretty Prairie, KS
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Doesn't Your Dog Deserve The Best?
"Add clarity to your life, see through the eyes of a dog"
Re: Labrador for bird hunting?
all my labs were aways BLACK ONES.prairiefirepointers wrote:Jim K & Slistoe make good points.
Labs can be very effective depending on your style of hunting. However Labs (Black ones especially) just cant take the warmth.
Personally, I run Pointers (obviously) and utilize my Lab for dead bird recovery. He knows to stay away from the white dogs and hang close to me. When the shots ring out he knows its showtime!
do to weather changing here in pa we dont get cold weather NOW until jan.
way past the small game season.
so you can only hunt in mornings until 10am.do to heat. you better have stream near by for lab to swim in.problem in mornings early is FOG. sometimes fog does not lift until 10 am.
i seen springers go all day when i am packing up to leave at 10 am. :roll:
but up until then,LAB is nice hunting dog to be with.
no e-collar needed,just bell.very nice.
- prairiefirepointers
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Re: Labrador for bird hunting?
Here's the kind of weather "SOONER" likes!
Jess Stucky
Prairie Fire Pointers & Supply
Pretty Prairie, KS
http://www.prairiefirepointers.com
http://www.prairiefirepointersupply.com
'Distinguished Dogs for the Discriminating Hunter'
Doesn't Your Dog Deserve The Best?
"Add clarity to your life, see through the eyes of a dog"
Prairie Fire Pointers & Supply
Pretty Prairie, KS
http://www.prairiefirepointers.com
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'Distinguished Dogs for the Discriminating Hunter'
Doesn't Your Dog Deserve The Best?
"Add clarity to your life, see through the eyes of a dog"
Re: Labrador for bird hunting?
Even the labs I trialed were trained to hunt and they were good at it. I restricted their hunting beat to sort of "long range spaniel" ..... about 25 yards either side of me. I've never had a pointing lab but I'd imagine they would be effective. All my labs were black and the heat never troubled them at all but then I live in Scotland where anything over 60 f. is considered pretty warm and that is during the summer !
Basically , I just trained my labs to be spaniels for hunting purposes. The labrador is a very versatile breed if you will let them be versatile.
Bill T.
Basically , I just trained my labs to be spaniels for hunting purposes. The labrador is a very versatile breed if you will let them be versatile.
Bill T.
The older I get, the better I was !
Re: Labrador for bird hunting?
prairiefirepointers wrote:Here's the kind of weather "SOONER" likes!
that is when LAB really shines.your black lab looks like what i have had for 46 yrs with dad.SMALLER LONG LEGGED LABS IN BLACK.
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Re: Labrador for bird hunting?
Pick up the " Orange book " by The American Hunting Dog Club it goes into detail how to get your flushing dog all trained up.
- gotpointers
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Re: Labrador for bird hunting?
How can anyone resist this...
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Re: Labrador for bird hunting?
I own a lab and an english setter. My lab is a good grouse hunter, but my setter is much better. My lab is a great pheasant hunter and is better than my setter. If you want a lab then get a lab, but be aware of its strengths and limitations. The can bust through the thickest cover, but warm weather is not their friend.
- gotpointers
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Re: Labrador for bird hunting?
I agree completely about specialists. just having a lab would be like golfing with just one club. But something in the middle is what labs are. I know I can have my pointer retrieve ducks all day long but when it gets icy i would not but them through it.
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