Gun Dog Forum

Went to our sister - in -laws acreage for an outdoor barbeque during the afternoon of New Years eve.
Took, my dog Belle with us. While outside building a large warming fire..we noticed that the birch and mountain ash trees were literally full of ruffed grouse. We counted 11 and then the kids said there were more in a spruce tree about 50 yards away.
Took Belle over to let her point them out but she just sort of roamed around in the snow underneath the trees unaware of the birds.

We have about 2' of snow on the ground..it was about-19 deg Celcius and the birdes were up about 15 - 20 ft in the trees and no wind plus the temp was dropping.
normally she's right onto birds even perched birds...could the weather have been a factor?

It wasn't hunting season just wanted to see her point a bonanza of birds and nothing happened??

The only reason I can see the dog to point is by sight, there doesnt seem to be any reason for a dog to point a bird they cannot smell. :roll:

Bad genes

With the conditions you described it is highly unlikely any dog is going to scent and point birds. They are difficult when elevated that high even in warmer breezy conditions. I would call it a non-event in my mind.

Valid point. When my dog was a pup is hide phez wings for him in the yard. He wouldn't ever find any that I put in bushes much more than nose high.

Easy way to find if you have a problem is plant a few birds.

It's really strange because she was red hot hunting all fall. Pointed a lot of birds from Sept 06 thru Dec...missed one weekend because an injury to her foot.Just seemed weird because she had been picking up birds in spruce trees about 3 weeks ago. Maybe as some say weather conditions.Six weeks ago she was picking them up from the truck before even getting into the woods.
We weren't hunting just thought it would be a fun opportunity.

crappieguy wrote:It's really strange because she was red hot hunting all fall. Pointed a lot of birds from Sept 06 thru Dec...We weren't hunting just thought it would be a fun opportunity.

Perhaps she had other ideas of fun.
Maybe that bar-b-que.
Consider worrying about something actually important.

Kind of makes you understand why hunters use tree stands.

Thanks folks...there were a lot of people at the barbeque and the smell of hot dogs and marshmallows in the air...it's not important because she did have a super fall. Just made me wonder about the scent from the birds and the weather conditions at this time of the year. It was pretty cold for her too as she lives in the home.

No offense mate but you set your pup up to fail. How was the scent cone supposed to get to the dog under the tree? Doubt the grouse walked to the tree & climbed up. Just saying that a good read on scent & scenting conditions may help you get your pup into situations that favor scenting success. Maybe there are guys here with dogs that point grouse 15' up a tree, I doubt it though.

Actually didn't set her up for failure...the birds were there , we were there...at a barbeque and she was walking under the trees loaded with grouse...didn't ask her to find them ...wasn't hunting....just thought that perhaps the scent would drop as she has picked up on birds in the trees. We didn't even let on to her that there were birds. We just found it very interesting that a dog that is so birdy wasn't picking up the scent...that's why I noted the weather conditions for anyone else that has happened onto a similar situation. This whole scenario has kind of gone from interesting to defending myself...that wasn't the intent....lighten up guys!
Just wondered if this had ever happened to anyone else.

Was it mourning or evening? Scent seems to rize in the mourning and fall in the evening, at least that is what I experienced when I used to bow hunt.

crappieguy wrote:Actually didn't set her up for failure...the birds were there , we were there...at a barbeque and she was walking under the trees loaded with grouse...didn't ask her to find them ...wasn't hunting....just thought that perhaps the scent would drop as she has picked up on birds in the trees. We didn't even let on to her that there were birds. We just found it very interesting that a dog that is so birdy wasn't picking up the scent...that's why I noted the weather conditions for anyone else that has happened onto a similar situation. This whole scenario has kind of gone from interesting to defending myself...that wasn't the intent....lighten up guys!
Just wondered if this had ever happened to anyone else.

Lol you cant take forums to seriously. Thats why I started with " no offense" Sorry if I misunderstood, the post just cane across to me as "concern" vs "curious"

non event - proves nothing . Set up a real situation to set your mind at ease. If my dog had to choose between a steak and a bird ...........I wouldn't put any money on it.

Middle of the afternoon with the smell of burgers, hotdogs and marshmallows...was thinking she'd ignore that stuff.....have to stop and think before opening computer and inserting foot...thankyou for all the answers.