BRNDL Posted October 7, 2013 Report Share Posted October 7, 2013 Hello all, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BRNDL Posted October 7, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 7, 2013 So, I was invited for a day in the pigeons by Sean Rico. It was a great offer as I had been looking to put all the practice and training with my Lab into action. We met up at 09.30 at Seans and loaded my gear into his 4x4 and set off for his permission. On arrival we had a walk around the permission with the gun looking for flight lines. We put a few hundred up out the stubble so the day was looking promising. As my gun was live Sean allowed me to shoot on sight...so a managed a snap shot on a suicide pigeon dropping it at around 35-40 yards. 1 shot for 1 kill...my best ratio yet! We settled up, put the hide up and threw out the shells and bouncers. It was slow going but the opportunities were steady. We managed 15 all in all which was a decent effort. I think it is fair to say we both hit some cracking shots, but like most days we also missed some sitters! Sean took the trophy for most sporting shot hitting a left to right pigeon at around 40 yards going away from us. He let the first barrel go which clipped the tail feathers then dropped the second barrel only to bring the pigeon down to the ground around 70 yards away!!! The pup worked like a trooper and retrieved all 15 pigeon, even the one at 70 yards (with a little encouragement). I am very impressed with her performance. She did struggle with a couple of the winged birds which needs a little bit of work (not sure how to work on this tbh) but overall one very pleased shooter! Thanks for the opportunity Sean, and I will certainly return to work the pup again. All the best, BRNDL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul taylor Posted October 7, 2013 Report Share Posted October 7, 2013 Good day there mr. How olds your lab? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BRNDL Posted October 7, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 7, 2013 She has just turned 12 months last Tuesday. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDog Posted October 7, 2013 Report Share Posted October 7, 2013 Others will no doubt dive in and tell you in stronger terms but your dog may just be a tad too young and inexperienced to deal with 'winged birds'. Much better to pick those yourself and leave the dog the dead birds if she is ready for them. Even so a mouthfull of feathers from a dead bird may put her off retrieving pigeons. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deaquire Posted October 7, 2013 Report Share Posted October 7, 2013 Others will no doubt dive in and tell you in stronger terms but your dog may just be a tad too young and inexperienced to deal with 'winged birds'. Much better to pick those yourself and leave the dog the dead birds if she is ready for them. Even so a mouthfull of feathers from a dead bird may put her off retrieving pigeons. I'd love to know how to train dogs, pretty good with birds of prey but clueless with dogs. With birds, they love the feathers! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BRNDL Posted October 7, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 7, 2013 Others will no doubt dive in and tell you in stronger terms but your dog may just be a tad too young and inexperienced to deal with 'winged birds'. Much better to pick those yourself and leave the dog the dead birds if she is ready for them. Even so a mouthfull of feathers from a dead bird may put her off retrieving pigeons. Thanks JDog. She retrieves dead pigeons well without much hassle so I am confident to continue with this. As for the winged birds, I though it best to try her and note her reaction to this. I will leave off the winged ones until she is a bit older and more competent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sean Richo Posted October 7, 2013 Report Share Posted October 7, 2013 Hey Chris enjoyed the company you and your dog!.The dog did really well keep up the good training mate and hopefully see you both soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tlennox Posted October 7, 2013 Report Share Posted October 7, 2013 Good effort, one of my springers won't touch pigeons because of the soft feathers falling out in her mouth. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BRNDL Posted October 7, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 7, 2013 I wonder if you can train them to pick up from the tough feathers, like the back of the pigeon? Just a thought? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul taylor Posted October 7, 2013 Report Share Posted October 7, 2013 Sounds like the dogs doin good. Im trying to trsin my mental case springer, looks like its gonna be hard work but he`ll Come good in end i hope. Hes only 7.5 month old and i cant hit a pigeon to save my life at the mo so he should have plenty time yet lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B725 Posted October 7, 2013 Report Share Posted October 7, 2013 Glad the dog did well but if you are not careful you will have the dog running in if you let it retieve evey thing shot in front of it.I would sit the dog up and fetch a few yourself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motty Posted October 7, 2013 Report Share Posted October 7, 2013 Others will no doubt dive in and tell you in stronger terms but your dog may just be a tad too young and inexperienced to deal with 'winged birds'. Much better to pick those yourself and leave the dog the dead birds if she is ready for them. Even so a mouthfull of feathers from a dead bird may put her off retrieving pigeons. There are some that would argue that the dog is too young to be in the field at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BRNDL Posted October 7, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 7, 2013 Glad the dog did well but if you are not careful you will have the dog running in if you let it retieve evey thing shot in front of it.I would sit the dog up and fetch a few yourself. Yes I do this a lot with the dummies now ( on a recommendation from P.W member ) so she is pretty steady. On reflection i will continue to use her to pick up but pick the winged birds myself and the odd close bird. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDog Posted October 7, 2013 Report Share Posted October 7, 2013 There are some that would argue that the dog is too young to be in the field at all. I am far too gentlemanly to put that to the OP in such direct terms but rest assured that is precisely what I was thinking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BRNDL Posted October 7, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 7, 2013 I am far too gentlemanly to put that to the OP in such direct terms but rest assured that is precisely what I was thinking. No need to pussy foot around me JDog... I am a big boy and welcome any feedback and or suggestions from personal experiences. I do put alot into my dog so want the best for her. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDog Posted October 7, 2013 Report Share Posted October 7, 2013 OK here you go. If she is sensible give her lots of cold game retrieves for the next few months but nothing 'hot'. Take her in the hide by all means (or very close to it) and make her stay whilst you retrieve all of the birds yourself. In that way she will not see it as her 'right' to bring back every pigeon which you shoot. Next spring she can move onto hot game. Remember that you will have her for ten years or so and that you can 'spoil her' in the next few months by giving her too much to do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simon6ppc Posted October 8, 2013 Report Share Posted October 8, 2013 (edited) i bet you enjoyed the day with your young dog pal,ive used two labs now in the last 20 years of my shooting and always can't wait for the day to come when you can use them for the first time,if your bothered about pigeon feathers try using some ferals at first shot with an air rifle or sumet, the young dogs have no problems with theses.also the norm is not just do to much to soon as said but no harm will have been done,one of my dogs the first time i sent him for a retrieve he took the hide with him, i laughed that much i couldn't tell him off , hope she turns out good and you have as good of time as i have with mine in the pigeon hide as you do need dogs in a hide when the going gets tough,cheers simon... Edited October 8, 2013 by simon6ppc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eccles Posted October 8, 2013 Report Share Posted October 8, 2013 Well done both of you. Been having a few PM's with Sean last few weeks,seems a great lad . Said yesterday that you had been out and the young dog worked well. atb Terry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BRNDL Posted October 8, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 8, 2013 Thanks lads. Yes I am enjoying working her very much...but I will cool off on the retrieves a little. Simon, she is fine with woodpigeon, no real issues with the feathers. I did a bit of work with pigeon before I took her out so she was pretty keen. Yes Sean is a great bloke, if you have him in your hide you won't be short of conversation and a few laughs. He is keen to shoot some crows too. All the best and thanks again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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