bird dog training season

[satchel3006]

ive been working with my chessie (my first hunting dog) can somebody explain the birddog training season to me i dont understand what its for or what your allowed to do i know it ends march 31 but thats the extent of my knowledge

[Happy Gilmore]

It is for folks who use public ground for training their dogs. You are not allowed to train during certain times of the year to allow for birds to hatch, nest rest or something like that. 
 

A lot of folks use the register to hunt grounds for training.

[gasman]

Are you allwed to bring and your own birds?
Can you hunt the birds that you bring for training your dog?

I am getting some phesants and was thinking about doing a hunting scenarieo over my dog.

Is that common to do?

[Shannon]

You can train on private property year around and on the slect sites in the regulations year around. The birds used must be banded and you have to have the documentation of where you purchased them with you. The paperwork has to show they were  purchased from a registered breeder. A lot of gamies don't really know what you can and can't do for dog training. I had to talk to the local office's head guy to get the details.
Have fun training.

[gasman]

Do you have to have a small game lic to use these release sites with your own birds?

[Happy Gilmore]

No, your birds must just be legit and not during closed dog training season. Cherry Valley is regularly used and we shoot live pigeons and ducks over dogs multiple times a year at organized events. Your parking tag is required and like Shannon said, you should have birds banded and you should have a receipt of sale.


In the real world, tell them you raised the birds yourself from pigeons/ducks you bought a few years ago. Can't do anything if you didn't buy them...

Got any pigeons yet Shannon? I could use about 300-400 in the next 4 weeks. Some folks are starting to pay up to $4 each for smaller quantities....just sayin'....we need some birds!

[Shannon]

Not yet. The trapping has been slow for some reason. I barely get enough for myself to train with these days. I'll keep you posted.

[satchel3006]

happy gilmore whats the "register" do you have to have your own birds? or can i just take my dog out and see how he does obvioulsy without my shotgun

[Birdguy]

Satchel, you can take your dog out with out your gun, but he had better be on a leash out of the training season. You will be hard pressed to find any birds on the wet side that were not released by you. I believe Happy is talking about hunt tests and field trails that are held out of the training season. You can register to use certain areas as there are no wild birds there to disturb during their normal breeding/nesting/rearing season. Your best bet is private ground during the spring and summer and make sure you have the proper documentation for ANY GAMEBIRDS you plan to have in your possession. I have never had any problem with pigeons, but quail and chukar and pheasants are a totally different story. I do not know when the last (native) bobwhite was seen in the George area but man that game warden was real particular about my documentation. Even though I am listed as a licensed game farm with the State, and have all to proof he could ask for he was sure I was doing something wrong. I now carry a copy of my permit, a game receipt from my farm and proof of my birds NPIP testing in the glove box of my truck. I also make sure all my birds are banded BEFORE I leave home.

[Old Dog]

   Well said Birdguy.  I get guys asking me about raising the birds without the game license, and that is pretty much how I explain the situation to them.

[Happy Gilmore]

Private land also guarantees you have full right to remove any unwelcomed guests from the property or call the sheriff and report trespassing should a situation arise with someone not privy to you shooting birds out of season, working your dog with a horse whip or electric collar.

On public land, when working your dog, you do not have the right to tell someone to leave, get away from your training set up, stop making noise distracting your dog etc....

Just a thought,,,