Post by: Camo on January 18, 2008, 07:03:15 PM
A: Will a small to medium size Lab in reasonably good physical shape perform as well in Quail/Chuckar country as an equally fit pointer like a Brittany?
B: When hunting over a pointer and the birds are burried in cover like Russian Olives typical of E.Wash, how do you get the birds out without sacrificing the ability to get a shot? Whereas a flushing dog MAY be able to go in and push them out? Keep in mind, I am not a hardcore bird hunter, it comes second after deer/elk season, however, that could change with the commitment of owning a new dog. I have been looking into a Pointing Lab as my ingnorance to bird hunting tells me a pointing dog is much more suitable for chasing Quail/Chuckar. Any input would be greatly appreciated.
Post by: bobcat on January 18, 2008, 07:15:39 PM
Post by: uplandlabs on January 18, 2008, 07:23:46 PM
Post by: Bighorse on January 18, 2008, 08:12:54 PM
Post by: Camo on January 19, 2008, 08:52:59 AM
Upland, I have seen some info on Tiger Mtn. Have you heard anything about Tri-Lab in Tonasket or Suak River Kennels?
Post by: whitey on January 20, 2008, 07:56:03 AM
Post by: uplandlabs on January 20, 2008, 02:31:15 PM
Post by: Houndhunter on January 20, 2008, 03:30:33 PM
Post by: scottr on January 21, 2008, 11:17:57 PM
Chukar, Huns and Quail are best hunted with a pointer like a Setter, Brittany, or German Short or Wirehair.
Post by: Choclab on January 22, 2008, 12:25:22 AM
If you want to have a tank that will work his ass off in the water and do what he is told no matter what....get a lab
If you wanna hunt upland birds.....get a setter
Post by: Skyvalhunter on January 22, 2008, 05:52:47 AM
Post by: sisu on January 22, 2008, 08:24:56 AM
I really don't give a hoot what accolades are bestowed on the other breeds because I like labs and that is that. Buy the dog you like, are comfortable with and you'll have a partner that'll go the 100 mile mark for you.
Post by: WAcoyotehunter on January 22, 2008, 08:35:40 AM
You have to live with this dog for the other 9 months of the year...so you're getting a pet too.
Post by: Intruder on January 22, 2008, 09:29:43 AM
B. For alot of the cover in E. Wash a flusher or retriever can actually be an advantage. We just don't have the huge expanses of cover like MT or some other Midwest states where you can really take advantage of a pointer. Doesn't mean they won't work well but it's just not the best fit. The one real exception to this is chukar. Pointers tend to do really well in the wide open chukar country.... it usually hot too.
I've seem some others post about versatility.... that's something to to consider. Retrievers are much better on waterfowl. The 1 thing that I saw in your post that really makes me think that you should lean to the retriever is that you mention that bird hunting is secondary for you. Even if you are are die hard bird hunter that dog is gonna be a pet the vast majority of the time. If bird hunting is truly secondary to you then you'll find the retrievers easier to train, handle, and acclimate to you home. Not dissing pointing breeds but they are much higher maintenance..... more energy, more training, etc.
Post by: PacificNWhunter on January 22, 2008, 03:35:49 PM
Post by: Professor Chaos on February 03, 2008, 10:27:40 AM
1. Early season chukar hunting is tough on any dog. They all need to be in good shape and have lots of water. If you watch your dog, take plenty of water for them, and dont run them into the ground, they will do just fine hunting chukar. a well trained pointer might be the best dog for hunting chukars, but a poorly trained or unfinished one has got to be the worst. I have seen a lot more of the latter.
2. i hunt in the olives and thick stuff a lot. A dog on point in the middle of a bunch of russian olives is worthless. If this is the type of terrain you are going to hunt, get a lab. The thing that will help you more than a dog in most cases, is hunting with a partner. i can't tell you how frustrating it is at time to hunt around one side of the trees only to have the birds go out the other.
I shoot lots of upland birds every year with my lab. the 06-07 season i was living down on the John day for most of Nov and Dec. We hunted chukars almost every day. (fresh chukar for dinner :drool: ) Lots of time in the field with lots of birds down. She probably wont ever be in better shape, or more in tune with how to hunt chukars than she was then.
The key to hunting chukars with a lab in wide open coutry like the J.D. breaks. is to keep them close. Do not let the dog cross a ridge or into the next draw without being be your side. When you hunt chukars a lot, you tend to know about where they will be and can work towards those areas. It also helps to really know your dog well and be able to tell their movements and patterns when they start to scent birds.
Post by: WDFW-SUX on February 03, 2008, 10:55:20 AM