mtlhdr wrote:I think you're on the right track with the launcher idea. Just be sure to use a scent bird seperate from the launcher. Plant your scent bird (lock wing pigeon) at least 10 yards from the launcher (loaded with a flyer), and bring your dog perpendicular to the scent bird. Don't let her smell the bird in the launcher. When she points the scent bird, immediately trigger the launcher.
I read this quote in the "correcting hunting seasons problems" thread. I truncated it, I hope I didn't lose any context. It's not clear but I assume the scent bird is placed downwind of the launcher and this is the bird that the dog points. Is the scent bird specific for working on creeping, general steadiness work, etc? What are the benefits and potential drawbacks compared to using just a bird in the launcher? Help me understand a little more about the concept behind the scent bird. Thanks.
~Ben
Sorry I didn't articulate this very well the first time around.
1. Place a lock wing pigeon in a strip of cover that runs North and South if the wind is blowing from the West. (Mark the location with a piece of orange ribbon.)
2. Place the launcher(s) loaded with flyer(s) 10 yards further North.
3. Bring the dog in with a checkcord and a half hitch around his flank. Approach the scent bird (with the dog in front) from the South end of the field, and to the East of the planted bird. That way he'll enter the scent cone of the lock wing bird.
4. When he stops, launch a bird.
5. Don't allow him the opportunity to root out the planted bird. Which normally is not a problem, because he'll be focused on the fly away.
6. Bring him back to start, and repeat the drill.
7. Change locations in the field before repeating the drill to begin to generalize locations, and to keep him from memorizing the location of the scent bird.
The reason you don't want the scent bird in a launcher is two-fold:
1. You don't want the dog to be either injured by or startled by the launcher.
2. You don't want the scent of the bird camoflaged or contaminated by the launcher. This will often result in the dog needing or wanting to get closer to the bird than it should. Also, other scent (that should not be bird related) can be associated with the bird or take away from the natural scent.
I also use launchers in a drill to help steady flushing dogs, and as a maintenance drill. Always bring the dog upwind of the launcher in this instance. For many of the same reasons as above, you don't want the dog to smell the bird in the launcher. This is also done so the dog does not begin to anticipate the flush, which can cause them to pause or become sticky when they approach the launcher.
Nate