Gun Dog Forum

Hello,

I am fairly new to the pointer game. I took my English Setter on a 2-day Ruffed Grouse hunt this week. He is only 8 months old so naturally, he flushes every bird we come into contact with. But it made me wonder, how far away from a bird does a typical setter point so as not to flush it? I knocked a bird down that I had flushed off to the left, then I called the dog over to help me find it. As soon as the dog got into the scent he turned and the dead bird was right there probably 2 or 3 feet away. The dog pointed, probably a sight point, but it was great to see him do it. That was what really mad me wonder about how close a dog can get to a bird without flushing it.

Dogs learn by experience how much pressure a bird can take before flushing.There is no exact distance but most hunters like their dogs to point grouse at first scent.I personally like a dog
that puts just enough pressure on the bird that it's afraid to move & depending on the bird & cover that could be a few feet to a number of yrds.
Nothing will teach the dog more then experience & bird contacts & there lies the problem,finding enough birds to get that kind of experience TODAY.

Thanks Vonzeppelinkennels,

That was a great answer. This dog has had maybe 75 to 100 flushes this year. Once in a while, like yesterday, he will show a certain "hesitation" step. That's probably not the best term to use but he will take a few steps and then hesitate. I wonder if he is learning that these grouse are timid and flush easily.

He wil have had a lot of bird encounters by the end of the year. Thanks for the advice.

From what I have seen, young dogs that get the exposure to grouse that you are giving your dog, not only make great grouse dogs, but will quickly learn how to handle most game birds.

My money says you will have a dog going into next years season that many will be envy. Keep doing what your doing.

Luminary Setters wrote:From what I have seen, young dogs that get the exposure to grouse that you are giving your dog, not only make great grouse dogs, but will quickly learn how to handle most game birds.

My money says you will have a dog going into next years season that many will be envy. Keep doing what your doing.

This makes me wish I could take him out every day. Thanks for the vote of confidence.

I've got the same problem or should I say experience right now.

Checkout my thread "where have they gone".