Newbie here.

[gasman]

Well, new to bird hunting.......

I have recently got a lab pup and hope to train him to hunt birds. I can not afford a profession trainer, so i am going to attempt to do the training on my own. I have never hunted birds before, but have always wanted to. I have met a few people that do and am seaking any info from them and you for any suggestions on training my pup. He is currently 4 month old and i am hoping to get out in the field next season. I have picked up a few books and videos to assist me in my training but know there is no better thing than personal experience from others with the experience.

Basic obedience training is in progress.

Where in the Tacoma/Olympia area is a release site i can take him to, to walk him around the field. I know there will probably be few birds if any but, would like to have him out this winter and spring.

Any info will be greatly appreciated.........

Any info you can give for me (a newbie) on bird hunting is also appreciated.......



thanks
Pete

 

[huntnphool]

Welcome Pete, lets have a bigger picture of your avitar and a story while you're at it.

[DeerHarvester]

"Richard Wolters" wrote some great books about training labs.   I would suggest "Water Dog" for your lab, it is geared more towards the waterfowl hunters but is a great start for labs.  His books are old, but very effective for basic training.  The more personal time you spend with your dog the more you will get in return. 

[Gamblin Guy]

Pete,

Check out this site and get involve with some of these folks, http://www.rainierhrc.com/

Great people and you are in the right area.  Wolters wrote some great books, I have all of them but there is some better stuff out there now as far as training goes.  Getting involved with a club like Rainier is a huge plus, there are others as well.

[follow maggie]

It's a bit of a drive if you're on the west side, but Miller game ranch will sell you some pheasants to use in your training.  It'll be money well spent, because you'll know there are birds in the field when you're there.  http://www.millerranch.com/ 

You also may want to try talking to Doug @ Cook Canyon in Ellensburg.  I think he'll do hour long sessions with you and the pup for $80/hr.  He's very good.  http://www.upland-dogs.com/index.html

Good luck with the pup

[Justin C.]

  Welcome to the site.

There was a place in yelm where you could buy and hunt birds but I don't know if they are still around.
I never hunted there before so I don't know what all they offer.
Also scatter creek is a release site down south that you could take the dog to for some work.

[high country]

I would say work on range....how far your dog will go from you before it stops. that is the killer on flushing dogs. aside from that. be careful and break them into noise slowly. I use the slapping of a belt and the dropping of a book while they eat and it has worked great for my dogs 4, aside from that I have never seen or heard of a lab that did not retreve, so grab some dummies and scent and get familiar with your dog......you won't need a trianer. be sure you have woa!, come, sit and fetch nailed and you can fine tune from there.