Hi everyone!

[richardt]

Hello,

I was searching for some resources today, as I've just become the proud owner of a Wirehaired Pointing Griffon Pup from Supreme Point Kennels down near Sacramento CA (7wks old, I get him in a week and a half), and I happened upon this forum. I've just moved to Washington from Southern California (I used to live in the NW, but spent 9 unfortunate years down in CA), and so I'm also new to the area as pertains to hunting, as I never hunted in WA when I lived here last.

This forum seems like it's going to be a great resource, so I wanted to introduce myself, and not just lurk around. So far I've seen some good info and advice, at least on this bird dog portion (I haven't ventured to the other forums yet).

I wanted to ask if anyone knew of any good area's where I could bring the new pup to just bump and chase birds (quail primarily for now, as he's still young, and don't want to scare him with a pheasant or something). It can even be an area where I can't shoot (so you don't have to give up any hunting spots if you don't want) but where you know there is a population he could find and chase around.

The other thing I could do is to buy some quail to keep at home for him, but I'm unsure as to the laws if I wanted to take the quail out to a field and let him chase them there, is that legal? Or do I need a permit? And if it's legal, does anyone here know where I can find any birds to buy preferably near Seattle/Everett area.

I know it's a lot in a first post, and I appreciate any help you can offer, thanks!

[huntnphool]

 

[hughjorgan]

Welcome, you might find this link helpful.

http://wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/prospects/

If your looking for quail, yakima county is a decent place to start....

[richardt]

Welcome, you might find this link helpful.

http://wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/prospects/

If your looking for quail, yakima county is a decent place to start....

Thanks, a great link with a ton of useful info, definitely bookmarked that one.

If anyone knows of any good areas that I can find old/seldom used logging roads or the like where I can find grouse for him to chase, that'd be great also.

[wildweeds]

Hardest thing to do with a new pup is to let it be a pup,can't stress this enough,far to easy to snuff out desire when the fire is just starting to burn,expect little, teach............. Here,and kennell,let the other stuff come on naturally,don't fall into the rut of "Sos and sos internet dog is doing this at 6 months old so mine should too." All dogs are different,even littermates can have night and day differences in ability and maturity rate.

[richardt]

Hardest thing to do with a new pup is to let it be a pup,can't stress this enough,far to easy to snuff out desire when the fire is just starting to burn,expect little, teach............. Here,and kennell,let the other stuff come on naturally,don't fall into the rut of "Sos and sos internet dog is doing this at 6 months old so mine should too." All dogs are different,even littermates can have night and day differences in ability and maturity rate.

That's great advice, this is my first bird dog, and the last thing I want to do is ruin him, not only do I want a good hunting dog, I want a good hunting companion. I was hoping to introduce him to birds in a way that makes it fun, a game, so that he enjoys it, and looks forward to us going out. I already have quail wings at home for him to play with, and will be getting some pheasant wings also. I'd love to get some live quail at home for him to chase around, though at 8 wks, he'll probably be a little young still.

How will I know he's at a good stage for introduction to live birds? I have a trainer I'm going to send him to when he's around 5-6mo, but I'm planning to get him as solid as I can with basic obedience stuff, such as the stay, sit and here commands, which out in the field I'm sure will be invaluable.

Any tips?


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[Don Fischer]

Dicky birds are better right now than game birds. Just take him for walks and leave him to discover things for himself. If he starts a bit slow, don';t worry about it. Friend of mine has a really well bred E. Setter that had no use for birds of any kind until she was about 5 mos old. The light came on and Gertie turned into a real animal. She tried a bit of field trialing with Gertie, Amer Fld and AKC both and placed her in every trial winning two of them. If your dog is bred to hunt, it will. Just lay back and wait for the light to come on.

[richardt]

Dicky birds are better right now than game birds. Just take him for walks and leave him to discover things for himself. If he starts a bit slow, don';t worry about it. Friend of mine has a really well bred E. Setter that had no use for birds of any kind until she was about 5 mos old. The light came on and Gertie turned into a real animal. She tried a bit of field trialing with Gertie, Amer Fld and AKC both and placed her in every trial winning two of them. If your dog is bred to hunt, it will. Just lay back and wait for the light to come on.

Thanks Don, good to keep in mind. One question though, what's a Dicky bird?


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[Birdguy]

Welcome to the site. Great first dog, I am certain there will plenty of help on here when you ask. As far as training birds you need to buy them (gamebirds) from a licensed gamefarm and they will come with a receipt that allows you to train with them and release them. Just FYI in Washington gamebirds are any bird the State recognizes and has a season for (bobwhite, valley and mountain quail, chukar, hungarian partridge and ringneck pheasant) there are other breeds of quail and pheasant that are not considered gamebirds and do not require the gamefarm receipt. I doubt you will have much trouble in the field but it only takes one encounter with a game warden without the paperwork  . The west side of the state has a pheasant release program where they release birds Saturday, Sunday and Wednesday, it can be a great place to take the pup for a walk (LATE IN THE DAY) after the morning crowd is gone. I took my old pup there just to let her sniff around the field and find a feather pile or two, aboutthe third time we went out she put up a hen, good times. Good luck with the new pup and hunting in Washington.

[richardt]

Welcome to the site. Great first dog, I am certain there will plenty of help on here when you ask. As far as training birds you need to buy them (gamebirds) from a licensed gamefarm and they will come with a receipt that allows you to train with them and release them. Just FYI in Washington gamebirds are any bird the State recognizes and has a season for (bobwhite, valley and mountain quail, chukar, hungarian partridge and ringneck pheasant) there are other breeds of quail and pheasant that are not considered gamebirds and do not require the gamefarm receipt. I doubt you will have much trouble in the field but it only takes one encounter with a game warden without the paperwork  . The west side of the state has a pheasant release program where they release birds Saturday, Sunday and Wednesday, it can be a great place to take the pup for a walk (LATE IN THE DAY) after the morning crowd is gone. I took my old pup there just to let her sniff around the field and find a feather pile or two, aboutthe third time we went out she put up a hen, good times. Good luck with the new pup and hunting in Washington.

Thanks Birdguy, I'll definitely try to bring him out to a release site as you suggested, at least so he can get some scent up his nose, and maybe even spook a bird or two.


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[mkcj]

  Welcome, and that's a great looking Pup. 

[richardt]

Welcome, and that's a great looking Pup. 

Thanks!! Here are a couple of more pics...


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[amosmoses]

Not sure if any one mentioned this but you only need a small game license to train at the release sites. You don't need the pheasant permit. Looks like you have the right idea and getting good advise. I agree with what's been said. Don't allow yourself to get caught up in all the B.S of the bird dog world. That being said you will be over overwhelmed with info both good and bad. Just remember that it's all about fun and if you don't feel right about some ones advice than it's not the advice for you and you're dog.Training is not set in stone and the dog is the one with the true talent.Not the trainer. The trainer is just able to channel and harness
That raw talent that is nestled into a cuddly little puppy. Also at the release sites the hours are 8:00 am to 4:00pm and they mean it now. No more "I'm just here walking my dog"

[richardt]

Not sure if any one mentioned this but you only need a small game license to train at the release sites. You don't need the pheasant permit. Looks like you have the right idea and getting good advise. I agree with what's been said. Don't allow yourself to get caught up in all the B.S of the bird dog world. That being said you will be over overwhelmed with info both good and bad. Just remember that it's all about fun and if you don't feel right about some ones advice than it's not the advice for you and you're dog.Training is not set in stone and the dog is the one with the true talent.Not the trainer. The trainer is just able to channel and harness
That raw talent that is nestled into a cuddly little puppy. Also at the release sites the hours are 8:00 am to 4:00pm and they mean it now. No more "I'm just here walking my dog"

Good to know, about the release sites, thanks. And I guess advice about dog training is going to be about the same as any advice, take everything with a grain of salt, thanks


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