Free: Contests & Raffles.
I got my dogs out this past Sun - Tues. I had the best outing with my new dog so far. She pointed quite a few quail and I was able to shoot a few over her and she retrieved them all. She takes her time picking them up and coming to me but she will bring them to hand. I praise her and stroke her sides and she will drop them. She's a bit hard mouth but not bad. She's hell on running down cripples but I'm not sure she can track one down for a long distance > 50 yd. I know she will get that down with time. I hunted her without my other dog and she listens better and covered the ground in front of me and not off to one side. She still wants to chase birds she flushes and birds I kick out over her points and not shoot or miss. In all fairness, my dog was not broke to wing and shot, so even though she she did not chase released pigeons she pointed, I really can't blame the dog for my shortcomings. She did stop to a flush on a covey of huns but that was a fluke, but chasing birds 100 plus yd is not acceptable and a waste of energy. The collar is good or that problem. In some ways I'm setting her up to fail. Hunting running quail in head high sage is tough on any dog and a dog bulldozing through it will set some to flight. Hunting quail in cattle grazed thin cover takes an experience cautious dog and she doesn't have that experience yet. I should be happy she's bird crazed with a strong desire to hunt. Thanks guys for all your advice and have a Merry Christmas and a great end to this bird season.Bob