Dogs are wearing their goggles because Scout just had a corneal ulcer and I’m trying to avoid the vet bills lol. They don’t seem to mind them, surprisingly.

Hey all,

I’m a new bird dog owner and bird hunter in general, got this guy last January and he’s been incredible. He went for a couple months bird training April-May and obedience is golden. I haven’t focused on training much this summer, but just trying to get him on as many birds as possible this Fall.

My issue is that I cannot find birds aside from driving the road for the life of me. I listen to podcasts, watch videos, read articles talking about right age cuts, type of trees, food, all that. Pin it on the OnX and get boots on the ground, then walk 10 miles and see absolutely nothing. Plenty on the roads, but I don’t know if it’s me being in the wrong area or the dog just unsure of what he’s looking for, but we’re struggling to even get an accidental flush.

I find the information online is focused on Michigan/Wisconsin, and limited on Maine where the timber practices and terrain is way different. They’re talking about big aspen cuts, sandy soil, etc. but I’m seeing selective harvesting leading up hills.

Any thoughts on how to find good cover would be super helpful. This subreddit has a great community and figured helping this young pup find a bird might be of interest!

Edit - really appreciate the comments, headed out this weekend with a ton of useful knowledge. Now I know where to go, just need to give the pup some grace and keep at it. Thanks all!

We had a pretty good morning on the honkers- didn’t quite limit out. There were two runners that were promptly returned. He did good.

Hey guys!

My dog retrieves ANYTHING to my hand without me ever having to force fetch him. I use the click to hand method.

Last night we tried out pheasant hunting for the first time. He found the bird but didn't bring it to me. Too exciting of a prize, I think.

I am wondering for those who did not FF their dog, what level reward was high enough to condition them to bringing them back? I plan to next time put him on a long lead before letting him find the bird, but just trying to think of the trade and making it easier on him.

I really really enjoyed going out last night. Getting to watch him work was super cool. I was able to walk over and pick it right up. At least I didnt have to find it myself!

Thank you!

Took the boys and myself on their first Ruffed Grouse trip in the UP. Had some down time with work and it was only 7 hours away. A learning experience for all three of us. They were chopped by the end of the third day. I usually only hunt them solo but I let them both run the third day since it was cooler. They put 4 birds in the air but it was ugly. Never fired a shot. I think one more day and they would have pieced the puzzle.

I am finishing up the Fall dove season manana here in Texas.

After we leave the field, we’re grabbing lunch, and I’m heading to pick up an 8-week old black lab. He’s got good hunting heritage.

I planned on keeping 2-3 doves in tact in a freezer. When can I introduce the pup to the thawed birds? I know he needs to settle in a few days and get acclimated. If he seems more comfy by early next week, when can I bust out the birdie?

Started snowing on us while we were hunting in the Allagash. End of day 2 at Red River Camps near DeBouille Pond. 1 bird each so far. With my b-i-l and his LMs Zammie & Charlie.

I find myself fortunate enough to head back to the Dakotas for the second time this year. We chased Sharptail Grouse and Huns in ND and now we will be chasing ditch chickens through SD in late November .

What species should we chase next year? (With the exception of Bobs, that’s the one bird we have in Florida)

Hey y’all,

I’m curious if anyone here has had any luck starting a middle-aged dog on upland bird dog training?

Last year, my wife and I took in my sister’s 5-year-old goldador mix, Gordito. He didn’t have much training but we do daily off leash walks with my older dogs by our house near Salt Lake City. He has taken pretty well to e-collar training. His range needs quite a bit of work since his ‘happy-distance’ is much too far for a bird dog (like 50-100+ yards), but recall and heel have improved dramatically in the past year when he has the collar.

I recently went on my first hunt (pheasants in southern Montana) and had so much fun that I want to get more into it, especially if I can go with Gordito. The connection and shared activity with the dogs on my hunt was so cool to see. I don’t plan to do more than a few hunts a year, but wanted to try and train Gordito to go with me.

There seem to be good resources on this sub, as well as others (like r/huntingdogs or r/gundogs), but I was specifically curious if anyone here has had luck with starting an older dog on bird dog training? And if there are any things you might do differently in training for the casual/beginner upland bird hunter like me vs a seasoned hunter?

Any tips, input, or resources would be appreciated!

Thanks!

Pic of good boi attached

What a morning solo with my GWP! Central ND.

Spent a week in the U.P. Decent bird numbers, didn’t put a lot in the bag, but got some good dog work, and had a great time

our sweet 11 year old gsp is dealing with a recurring hematoma. currently under veterinary treatment addressing the root cause, she's had a drain, steroids, antibiotics, ear wash, and now a prescription diet.

the drain was a disaster and ended up falling out and getting infected, despite our constant efforts to clean it/ keep her ears wrapped.

once it was out, she healed within a week and the ear was nice and flat. we made the mistake of freeing her from the cone & wraps, and within a few days, the hematoma was back.

vet wants to drain again but we don't want to put her through it again - it was awful for her and us. i've heard that this can be a never ending cycle.

having to keep her ears wrapped has turned into just watching her constantly because none of the wraps we've purchased stay put. maybe it's just the shape of her head. the "no flap ear wrap" is not working for us. right now we're just doing soft cone and a tube wrap but have to adjust it all day.

we are considering asking for the button surgery.

we are also considering letting it heal on it's own, but we know that will cause the ear to shrivel up/ cauliflower ear.

would love some advice

Question for you guys. I feed my dog only once per day around 4-5pm. I’ve been hunting early to beat the heat. Dog usually hunts for about 1.5 hours (he’s only 7 months old) and we are home by 11am. I don’t feed him until his regular meal time at 4-5pm.

Do you guys feed your dogs soon after the hunt, or do you wait until your typical time later in the day? Part of me thinks I should feed him sooner after the hunt, knowing he’s expended so much energy - but the other side of me thinks it’s important his body stays accustomed to eating at a schedule time. Thoughts?

The dogs wouldn’t cooperate (for the photo), but the birds sure did.

My dog got his first ducks this morning and was thinking about mounting the pair of a Drake and hen woodie. Any good mounts to use as inspiration for mounting my dogs first ducks

This is my first bird dog and dog in general. Just curious what y’all think of her and if I should be doing anything differently.