big bad lindz Posted September 26, 2014 Report Share Posted September 26, 2014 Hi Guys, I have been asked and accepted to be a gun at a dog trials next month and I am realy looking foward to it. I am not sure what, appart from shooting any game is actually required of me. So any advice, suggestions would be good. I have looked on the web and seen a couple of video clips but mostly showing the dogs working and not the guns shooting. I see what appears to be a lot of standing around waiting for the dogs and handler to do there bit, is this the norm. As I said I am looking foward to it, both to get out in the fresh air but also to see the dogs working and what I should be doing for training & working my own dog. BBL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WGD Posted September 26, 2014 Report Share Posted September 26, 2014 Is it a retriever trial or a spaniel trial? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scotslad Posted September 26, 2014 Report Share Posted September 26, 2014 I'd speak to the fella that's organising it. Some will want different things Think the most important thing is to be safe, or extra safe and be seen to be safe. Very aware of muzzles and making sure u break barrels etc (Sounds obvious but watched a gun in a Championship lay his loaded gun down on the ground pointing up the line, if the gun beside him noticed it he would have i knocked his head off. His handling was very very poor/dangerous all day) Possibly in a spaniel trial they might? not want lose birds shot (ie birds not flushed by a dog) as the bag will increase so all dogs get a flush and retrieve. I would also say its better to give a bird the 2nd barrel if u've only winged it so it will come down dead and give the dog a better chance, whereas a strong runner could elimnate a few dogs (but finding 1 could make the difference for 1st place) The organiser should tell u everything on the morning in his safety talk/brief, might be worth giving the organiser/or fellow exp gun ur shooting with a bell before hand to get the craic Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Essex Hunter Posted September 26, 2014 Report Share Posted September 26, 2014 (edited) Hi Guys, I have been asked and accepted to be a gun at a dog trials next month and I am realy looking foward to it. I am not sure what, appart from shooting any game is actually required of me. So any advice, suggestions would be good. I have looked on the web and seen a couple of video clips but mostly showing the dogs working and not the guns shooting. I see what appears to be a lot of standing around waiting for the dogs and handler to do there bit, is this the norm. As I said I am looking foward to it, both to get out in the fresh air but also to see the dogs working and what I should be doing for training & working my own dog. BBL I have shot at a spaniel field trial over sugar beet..... Being left handed I asked to go on the right hand side of the line. There were 4 guns spaced over 100 yards + wide and 2 dogs working the ground. I used cyl &1/4 and am used to rough shooting as that is roughly what it is. I shot with Peter Theobald that day and he found it a little nerve jangling as did I, There is a lot going on so you have to be 110% switched on. These were partridge's ( but I did pole a couple of pheasants) Don't hold back as the birds will be gone in a flash, however safety is paramount.... It all stops when there was a kill and then the dogs do there bit.... Quite a bit of waiting around but that is what it is about.... Take direction from the Judges but common sense is the key... Also clothes you can shoot in as being dressed up to the 9's is very restricting Good luck TEH Edited September 26, 2014 by The Essex Hunter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
big bad lindz Posted September 26, 2014 Author Report Share Posted September 26, 2014 Is it a retriever trial or a spaniel trial? Hi, Its a retriever trial Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greymaster Posted September 26, 2014 Report Share Posted September 26, 2014 Be careful of the load as damaged birds might put a dog out unfairly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WGD Posted September 26, 2014 Report Share Posted September 26, 2014 Hi, Its a retriever trial Walking in line or shooting driven birds? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
big bad lindz Posted September 26, 2014 Author Report Share Posted September 26, 2014 Walking in line or shooting driven birds? To be honest I dont know. I have been told to expext hare. phesant & partidge so I expect it may be a bit of both Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Konnie Posted September 26, 2014 Report Share Posted September 26, 2014 have shot in one, would say you have been asked as you are a safe gun, listen to all instructions as the one I shot on was a large field of dogs, and we were told to shoot every thing the keeper will know what volume of birds to expect, mostly done on outlying bits, we were not to shoot over retrieving dogs, just enjoy the day and listen, observe the dogs you may be asked to vote on a guns choice ATB write up how it went Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
big bad lindz Posted October 19, 2014 Author Report Share Posted October 19, 2014 Cheers guys, I had a great day out and posted a write up in general shooting. BBL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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