Gun Dog Forum

We've been thinking of picking a couple of Higgins bird releasers. Any pros and cons? We've used Dogtra for years and have been happy with how the Dogtra functions.

They each serve a different purpose. I think you would be happy with them if you just want to release a bird and have it walk instead of being launched. There are times when both are good.

Ezzy

I know trainers that prefer to use the releasers when possible to steady the dog as the bird flushes in a much more realistic fashion. Also, launchers have a tendency to hold scent much more than releasers. I have seen dogs that would blink launchers but never releasers. This was done on scent alone so the dogs could tell it was a setup.

If using pigeons, they will usually flush when released from a releaser. Quail on the other hand will most of the time sit there unless the dog or you pressure them. When you want to have loose quail on the ground you can hang the releaser upside down from a low limb and release the birds to the ground when you are getting closer. They will usually drop to the ground and not flush at that time.

They each serve a different purpose. I think you would be happy with them if you just want to release a bird and have it walk instead of being launched. There are times when both are good.

Agree.

They are the bee's knees. I've seen Maurice Lindley use them a bunch at his place, if I was regularly working dogs I'd have three or 4 and maybe 1 launcher.