Mulling it over. Thoughts?

[T-Dozzer]

I've been hunting 30 years. Grew up on the Palouse chasing birds. We (Dad) always had phenomenal dogs. Time went on.. I left for school/work & chasing the ditch chickens got less & less and I switched to bigger critters. Dad is 72 and lost what will be his last dog 2 seasons ago.
I'm in North Bend now, but we still have property & lots of access on the Palouse.
I'm an upland hunter at heart & want to get back into it. Including a proper upland dog. Both for me & for our family.
I'm fairly familiar with the tremendous amount of work/investment a good bird dog takes.
My question is... is there any opportunity to train a dog in the Snoqualmie valley & get it on birds or would I have to keep driving East just to keep it on track for training.
Im fine hunting planted birds for the dogs sake, but it does not personally interest me from a hunting perspective.

TIA

[2MANY]

When I raise a bird dog I raise pheasants too.
Problem solved.

[bracer40]

I’ve decided I won’t raise another dog unless I have the right amount of space to raise homer pigeons along with the dog. You might be in a place where you could do that AND train in the valley.

[MR5x5]

Canine Country Club out in Fall City is worth a look - the valley does a lot of duck dogs - but a buddy of mine had them train up his Musterlander some years back and he was very happy with them.

Regarding training - I've never formally trained any of my dogs and they have all been pheasant hunting machines. I do hunt them pretty much every other week during the season and they get daily big exercise that includes communicating with them. I'm currently running English Setters out of Cook Canyon but have also ran Wirehairs and short hairs.  Hunting is in their blood.  In my opinion, if you can get them solid with basic come, sit, stay you are 90+% there.  You might not win the "pinky's out" style contest but you will get birds.  You grew up in the Palouse, so you know where the birds are in this state.

Don't overthink it.  Get good blood lines.

Good luck out there.

[merkelman]

Sagebrush Gun Dogs is no longer training as Scott retired.  But Colockum Gun Dogs is a great option.  They are located in Ellensburg, WA and does a great job.  Well worth having a pro get your dog started. 
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[T-Dozzer]

Thanks, guys.
Probably leaning towards a lab, but entertaining a GSH. Not sure I can keep up with their energy though.

[Dhoey07]

Raise a family dog and take it out.  Most will pick it up without formal training.  IF they don't, you'll have a nice family dog around the house.

[Caseyd]

Stillwater site in carnation releases birds, not to far from your house. Not my preferred upland hunting but the dogs never seem to mind 

[T-Dozzer]

Stillwater site in carnation releases birds, not to far from your house. Not my preferred upland hunting but the dogs never seem to mind 

Haven't been there in years. Was busy, butbthstbisva not a bad idea. Thanks

[Special T]

HappyGilmore on here is part of a training club that utilizes Cherry valley. Another group meets in monroe HRC hunting retriver club i belive is the name. Join one of these groups and you wont have to do it  alone.

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[MR5x5]

Stillwater site in carnation releases birds, not to far from your house. Not my preferred upland hunting but the dogs never seem to mind 

Haven't been there in years. Was busy, butbthstbisva not a bad idea. Thanks

Just be sure to bring extra safety glasses, a flack jacket, helmet and a stealth cam to watch your vehicle! 

[Birdguy]

HappyGilmore on here is part of a training club that utilizes Cherry valley. Another group meets in monroe HRC hunting retriver club i belive is the name. Join one of these groups and you wont have to do it  alone.

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  Have a good friend who lived in Issaquah and trained champion GSP out of that area. A small flock of homers is a huge asset. I know a guy who will have other gamebirds on occasion  . But I do not see an big issues with your plan, you only live once if you have access to property in bird country I would say do it!

[T-Dozzer]

HappyGilmore on here is part of a training club that utilizes Cherry valley. Another group meets in monroe HRC hunting retriver club i belive is the name. Join one of these groups and you wont have to do it  alone.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

Great info. Thx!

[RockCreek]

T-Dozzer,   Ever considered a German Wirehair?  You mentioned Lab or GSP  .. Iv'e had both plus Chessie's.  Wirehairs are very versatile dogs on upland and water plus great family dogs.   And they have a unique personality..  kinda goofy like a lot of Labs ( not a dig on Labs.. i mean playful/friendly) but all business when the prey drive kicks in. Just an idea... 

[MR5x5]

 

GWPs are great - pointing and retrieving machines - consider looking for a smaller one, 60lb range, if you are going to focus on upland.