Other Hunting > Bird Dogs
2017 Field Trial Schedule
wildweeds:
No such thing as "fun trials" in Akc or American field venues, NSTRA used to be quite popular in the NW, but it appears to have waned to almost extinction. There is a spring NSTRA trial in Moses lake.You would most likely get more enjoyment out of a late winter/early spring preserve hunt.
--- Quote from: scottr on December 07, 2016, 05:50:40 PM ---I've never run my dog (3 YO setter) in a trial but would like to give it a shot to learn and dip my toe in the pool, are there any local "fun trials" for weekend warriors like myself? Something that would be a few hour dive and 1 day commitment?
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scottr:
--- Quote from: wildweeds on December 07, 2016, 09:12:23 PM ---No such thing as "fun trials" in Akc or American field venues, NSTRA used to be quite popular in the NW, but it appears to have waned to almost extinction. There is a spring NSTRA trial in Moses lake.You would most likely get more enjoyment out of a late winter/early spring preserve hunt.
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Are there any local gun dog clubs that run trials that would be good for a beginner? Would like to check it out, see how my dog would do but probably don't have the time to make trials a regular thing.
ForestDump:
--- Quote from: scottr on December 07, 2016, 05:50:40 PM ---I've never run my dog (3 YO setter) in a trial but would like to give it a shot to learn and dip my toe in the pool, are there any local "fun trials" for weekend warriors like myself? Something that would be a few hour dive and 1 day commitment?
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I just recently moved out here from the east coast so there might be others who can tell you more about the scene but the Oregon Bird Dog Challenge is a pretty loose atmosphere with a training day the day before the trial. NSTRA is a great trial for meat dogs but its a bird finding game. Check the AKC website for clubs in your area and get in contact with the club's secretary. They will tell you about training days, how active they are and if the club is more hunting or trial focused.
jetjockey:
--- Quote from: scottr on December 07, 2016, 09:32:09 PM ---
--- Quote from: wildweeds on December 07, 2016, 09:12:23 PM ---No such thing as "fun trials" in Akc or American field venues, NSTRA used to be quite popular in the NW, but it appears to have waned to almost extinction. There is a spring NSTRA trial in Moses lake.You would most likely get more enjoyment out of a late winter/early spring preserve hunt.
--- End quote ---
Are there any local gun dog clubs that run trials that would be good for a beginner? Would like to check it out, see how my dog would do but probably don't have the time to make trials a regular thing.
--- End quote ---
Call the FT secretary involved with the trial you want to watch. Tell them your story and see what happens. If your dog is broke, throw it in a gun dog stake and have fun. You can walk the stake or someone will most likely have a horse you can ride. While there are no "fun trials" per say, weekend trials are pretty laid back. I've run my young green broke dog in a GD trial knowing she was holding place. But I wanted her to get the experience. Turns out she ran pretty well until a small bobble at the end. Give it a shot and have fun, just don't take it too seriously, and talk to the judges about why the look for the things they look for. Sometimes new people don't understand why a dog with 1 find can beat a dog with 4 finds.
wildweeds:
I think it bears mentioning the "broke" standard, broke means points, you flush birds,fire gun and the dog remains completely still until you walk back to the dog and grab it by the collar, no hops, no chasing allowed. More than one person has entered only to have their dog on a rope 5 minutes into it because the dog isn't broke or even green broke.
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