question for Grouse hunters
question for Grouse hunters
How far out do u guys let your dogs work? How do u know when they are on point in a thicket if u cannot see them?
Re: question for Grouse hunters
I let and expect my dogs to hunt the cover. If the cover is 10 yards off the logging road or 100 yards on top of the ridge doesn't matter to me as long as they are in the cover. A dog that stays close is useless if it's not in the cover. We hunt where the bird numbers is slim to none so you must have a dog that will hunt all day without bird contacts. There's not many dogs that will hunt 5 or 6 hours without bird contacts. I use a beeper collar set on point mode to keep track of them. 90% of the time they are in beeper range and they will always keep up with me. I do not call my dogs unless I want to water them or leave.
Brian
Brian
Re: question for Grouse hunters
I thank you, my dog seems to run big, I just wonder what guys did before beeper collars to locate dogs on point in thick stuff when they could not see the dog? I will get a beeper collar someday when budget allows! By the way my dog will hunt day light to dark with or without bird contacts, he never gives up, I just got lucky with my first dog! I often wonder how great he would have been with a more experienced dog man then me?
-
- GDF Junkie
- Posts: 1630
- Joined: Tue Feb 16, 2010 7:23 pm
- Location: State?...The one where ruffed grouse were.
Re: question for Grouse hunters
One lets them do what is necessary on any day or in any cover... or one lets them do what each person is comfortable with.Beecher wrote:How far out do u guys let your dogs work? How do u know when they are on point in a thicket if u cannot see them?
Some days will be more successful than others.
Can't see expecting it any other way.
Bell and point-only beeper works well.
Astro has pretty much replaced the beeper, for me....not the immediate contact of the bell tho.
I will always use a bell in the grouse woods.
Somehow, folks got along with only a bell at one time.
I expect that we still could.
"Big" is relative...as is good or "all day."
Last edited by Mountaineer on Sun Jul 31, 2011 3:25 am, edited 3 times in total.
Re: question for Grouse hunters
If he will will hold his point until you get there, and not crowd the bird, doesn't much matter to me how far out he is. I use a beeper for grouse/woodcock hunting.
............edited spelling
............edited spelling
Last edited by Sharon on Mon Aug 01, 2011 2:05 pm, edited 1 time in total.
" We are more than our gender, skin color, class, sexuality or age; we are unlimited potential, and can not be defined by one label." quote A. Bartlett
Re: question for Grouse hunters
i just let my dog hunt, doesn't matter. Sometimes he has been out of sight and out of bell sound for a while and sometimes he is easily within sight.
I am very confident in him holding his birds and if he moves the bird is either moved on or he pointed old scent. I think that it all depends on the dogs training level.
brandon
I am very confident in him holding his birds and if he moves the bird is either moved on or he pointed old scent. I think that it all depends on the dogs training level.
brandon
- Ruffshooter
- GDF Junkie
- Posts: 2946
- Joined: Sun May 21, 2006 7:28 pm
- Location: Maine
Re: question for Grouse hunters
Get yourself a good bell or a bell. Having a bell helps you pay attention to the dog. You will also learn to read the bell on occassion, in certain instances. When you do not hear it, it is because of one of a few reasons. The dog went on point so the bell stops all of a sudden. Another is a bell that stops and kind of makes intermitant sounds, that dog maybe having a kennel point. Another is a bell that starts and stops, that dog may be tracking a bird or other animal. Another is a bell that is going good and steady, stops for just a moment that tears off clanging away, that dog just bumped or busted a bird. The other is the bell is getting faint and disappears. That dog is out of ear shot and you give em a couple of toots of the whistle to come back around.
One thing to remember, some times we think our dog is really out there but in reality the cover is thick and he is not out as far as we think.
I have a beeper for two of my dogs because they genuinely run big, for grouse woods. But I do find my self surprised as to their location at times because I do not pay that much attention to them, tll I Need to. That is if for some reason I do not attache the bell also
Personally, I like the bell just because it adds to the hunt for me.
If you have a good honest dog and good ears, either works, Cabelas has a very good and durable bell that is a pointing and traveling beeper. It is not a trainer. I have two of those. They work well and easy to use.
One thing to remember, some times we think our dog is really out there but in reality the cover is thick and he is not out as far as we think.
I have a beeper for two of my dogs because they genuinely run big, for grouse woods. But I do find my self surprised as to their location at times because I do not pay that much attention to them, tll I Need to. That is if for some reason I do not attache the bell also
Personally, I like the bell just because it adds to the hunt for me.
If you have a good honest dog and good ears, either works, Cabelas has a very good and durable bell that is a pointing and traveling beeper. It is not a trainer. I have two of those. They work well and easy to use.
The best part of training is seeing the light come on in your little prot'eg'e.
Rick
Rick
Re: question for Grouse hunters
I use a Garmin; it beeps on me and not in the birds face. Woodcock seem to care less about the beep of the collar but I think the beep scares the grouse off. A Garmin tells me the distance and when he is on point.
Derek Lodermeier
TR GUN Derrick de L'Etoile du Nord NA-PZ1TAN http://www.perfectpedigrees.com/3genview.php?id=2204
TR GUN Derrick de L'Etoile du Nord NA-PZ1TAN http://www.perfectpedigrees.com/3genview.php?id=2204
- OhioVizsla
- Rank: Senior Hunter
- Posts: 108
- Joined: Thu Nov 19, 2009 1:53 pm
- Location: Northern Ohio
Re: question for Grouse hunters
Get a beeper, it's the best $120.00 you'll ever spend on your pointer.
Re: question for Grouse hunters
As far out as it takes him or her to find a bird.
-
- Rank: Senior Hunter
- Posts: 116
- Joined: Wed Feb 20, 2008 11:24 am
Re: question for Grouse hunters
I guess I am old school and don't want to give myself and excuse for getting lazy. I run bells on my dogs and haven't let the temptation of a tracker or Garmin win me over yet. I train the pups to handle back to where I can hear the bell most of the time but I have friends that walk around looking at their Garmin screen while they loose their dogs and say they know right where the dog is two miles away.
-
- Rank: Just A Pup
- Posts: 4
- Joined: Fri Jul 29, 2011 3:51 pm
Re: question for Grouse hunters
good advice...let the dog range how it will naturally and get some electronics to locate the dog on point. this will allow the dog to hunt to its full potential.OhioVizsla wrote:Get a beeper, it's the best $120.00 you'll ever spend on your pointer.
- Ruffshooter
- GDF Junkie
- Posts: 2946
- Joined: Sun May 21, 2006 7:28 pm
- Location: Maine
Re: question for Grouse hunters
This is exactly why I do not get the Garmin or a tracker. Why be looking at screen instead of the dog or the scenery?Grouse Dog Guy wrote: I can hear the bell most of the time but I have friends that walk around looking at their Garmin screen while they loose their dogs and say they know right where the dog is two miles away.
Maybe a misperseption on my part but so be it. I find this when I use a garmin for my hunting and finding certain deer spots. Spend more time looking at it than I should, also your compass skills and map reading skills don;t get tuned up using the GPS.
The best part of training is seeing the light come on in your little prot'eg'e.
Rick
Rick
-
- Rank: 5X Champion
- Posts: 753
- Joined: Sun Mar 02, 2008 6:50 pm
- Location: Georgia
Re: question for Grouse hunters
Around here all the old timers would say, "It will make sombody a nice grouse dog" when they wash it out for not having what it takes to make a top notch quail dog. My point being dogs that are "boot lickers" or dont range out far enough were what grouse hunters looked for before beepers and GPS.
Home of the truly versatile hunting companion www.vommountaincreek.com
-
- GDF Junkie
- Posts: 1630
- Joined: Tue Feb 16, 2010 7:23 pm
- Location: State?...The one where ruffed grouse were.
Re: question for Grouse hunters
Whether it be the U.P., the Apps., Kansas, Iowa, wherever....The Astro has yet to detract me from either a sunrise, sunset or anything else that tugs the eye.Ruffshooter wrote:...This is exactly why I do not get the Garmin or a tracker. Why be looking at screen instead of the dog or the scenery?...
95+% of the time it is in my pant's pocket.
I can see that some will be infatuated with a new toy or new technology and that may lead to a stumble in a badger hole or or fallen log but really...that fear is a non-starter.
Not necessary re pointed birds and the appeal of the unit is far broader than one application of it's technology.
But....some have the TV on all the time.
-
- Rank: Senior Hunter
- Posts: 116
- Joined: Wed Feb 20, 2008 11:24 am
Re: question for Grouse hunters
Georgia Boy wrote:Around here all the old timers would say, "It will make sombody a nice grouse dog" when they wash it out for not having what it takes to make a top notch quail dog. My point being dogs that are "boot lickers" or dont range out far enough were what grouse hunters looked for before beepers and GPS.
Most of the good cover dogs can run and win horse back shooting dog stakes, maybe that's not enough for top notch quail dogs
- Ruffshooter
- GDF Junkie
- Posts: 2946
- Joined: Sun May 21, 2006 7:28 pm
- Location: Maine
Re: question for Grouse hunters
Not for me. I don't like to carry much, I don't like gadgets for the most part, I like ole school mostly but sometimes one does need to use new tech, but if I can help it I don't and won't. So using one is a non starter for me. To each their own. Just saying.Mountaineer wrote: ...that fear is a non-starter.
.
The best part of training is seeing the light come on in your little prot'eg'e.
Rick
Rick
-
- Rank: 5X Champion
- Posts: 753
- Joined: Sun Mar 02, 2008 6:50 pm
- Location: Georgia
Re: question for Grouse hunters
Hey Grouse Dog Guy, don't get your panties in a wad I was not talking about cover dogs I was talking about the average Grouse hunter that hunts in the Appalachian mountains like we have to here.Grouse Dog Guy wrote:Georgia Boy wrote:Around here all the old timers would say, "It will make sombody a nice grouse dog" when they wash it out for not having what it takes to make a top notch quail dog. My point being dogs that are "boot lickers" or dont range out far enough were what grouse hunters looked for before beepers and GPS.
Most of the good cover dogs can run and win horse back shooting dog stakes, maybe that's not enough for top notch quail dogs
Home of the truly versatile hunting companion www.vommountaincreek.com
-
- Rank: Senior Hunter
- Posts: 116
- Joined: Wed Feb 20, 2008 11:24 am
Re: question for Grouse hunters
Georgia Boy wrote:Hey Grouse Dog Guy, don't get your panties in a wad I was not talking about cover dogs I was talking about the average Grouse hunter that hunts in the Appalachian mountains like we have to here.Grouse Dog Guy wrote:Georgia Boy wrote:Around here all the old timers would say, "It will make sombody a nice grouse dog" when they wash it out for not having what it takes to make a top notch quail dog. My point being dogs that are "boot lickers" or dont range out far enough were what grouse hunters looked for before beepers and GPS.
Most of the good cover dogs can run and win horse back shooting dog stakes, maybe that's not enough for top notch quail dogs
I never get my panties in a wad over dogs, I live about 20 min from the highest point in Pa and someone told me onetime that it's in the Appalachian mountains. Maybe I didn't hear him right I do consider myself and average grouse hunter but I keep trying to get better
-
- Rank: Junior Hunter
- Posts: 97
- Joined: Wed Aug 03, 2011 5:24 pm
- Location: EAST TN.
Re: question for Grouse hunters
I let my dog hunt the cover he is in...if there are birds then he is closer working, but if we go for awhile with no contacts..then he starts ranging more. I have a beeper collar and I use a bell.
- Birdman250
- Rank: Senior Hunter
- Posts: 175
- Joined: Sun Dec 07, 2008 2:41 pm
- Location: NE Wisconsin
Re: question for Grouse hunters
Try out what everyone said on the thread..You'll find something that suits you and the dog..I use a garmin, beeper, and bell all together..I like all and never had any problems..Just becareful where theres lots of wolves..They (wolves) tend to track the bell because they believe theres easy food access at the noise of a bell.
Re: question for Grouse hunters
I use a bell and my Garmin Astro. Actually I mostly just use the bell. I have two bells and one I can hear out to about 300 yards and the other is closer to 200 yards. I used to hate the bell and swore that once I got an Astro I would get rid of the bell except when in a trial. However after using the bell for a while I've learned to not necessarily like the sound, but certainly appreciate it . There is a lot of information I can gather about my dog by the sound.
I find that about the only time I use the Astro is help me figure out my dog's range by the volume of the bell. I've still got some learning to do. I'll also use it to tell how far away my dog is when she goes on point. I've have multiple productive points that approach 300 yards. I generally don't need to use it to help me find the dog unless were out running in August when you can't see 20 feet in front with the heavy foilage.
According to my Astro my setter's typical range is 100-200 yards. It used to be 80-150, but as she got older and bolder it extended to what it is now. I much prefer a wider ranging dog for grouse as long as the dog is honest with its birds.
I find that about the only time I use the Astro is help me figure out my dog's range by the volume of the bell. I've still got some learning to do. I'll also use it to tell how far away my dog is when she goes on point. I've have multiple productive points that approach 300 yards. I generally don't need to use it to help me find the dog unless were out running in August when you can't see 20 feet in front with the heavy foilage.
According to my Astro my setter's typical range is 100-200 yards. It used to be 80-150, but as she got older and bolder it extended to what it is now. I much prefer a wider ranging dog for grouse as long as the dog is honest with its birds.
- northern cajun
- Rank: 5X Champion
- Posts: 836
- Joined: Mon May 07, 2007 9:28 am
- Location: Breaux Bridge, La and Ithaca, NY
Re: question for Grouse hunters
ridgerunner wrote:I let my dog hunt the cover he is in...if there are birds then he is closer working, but if we go for awhile with no contacts..then he starts ranging more. I have a beeper collar and I use a bell.
yep thats the way I roll, cut the dogs loose and follow bell or what for beeper to go off. I have had both freeze on me in late season hunt several times not fun looking for a dog on point in heavy cover.
HAVE A GREAT DAY!!
GOD BLESS
DOGS COULDNT LIVE WITHOUT EM!!
NORTHERN CAJUN
GOD BLESS
DOGS COULDNT LIVE WITHOUT EM!!
NORTHERN CAJUN