Ira wakefield Posted June 29, 2014 Report Share Posted June 29, 2014 Had another go on clover on Friday, I didn't hold much hope but had seen quite few getting on it the night before. I decided to go light as I didn't have much time. I took 6 half shells and a flapper with no bird to put on it. No camo netting a bucket to sit on, my 1yr old black lab and my gun. I missed the first but shot the second and put it on the flapper. I managed 21 in total, not huge for most of you, but my best outing to date, add to that my first double a crow and a magpie and I am a happy man. To put the icing on the cake Hen picked up some birds nicely and was a good companion nestled in the high grass beneath a blackthorn hedge. Normally I have put 14 decoys out with bouncers and the flapper and fared worse. Thanks to joining pigeon watch and reading how others do it gave me confidence to rely less on decoy numbers but trying new stuff and being well concealed. Old army clobber in the hedge with tall grass in front they didn't see me stand to take the shots. Looking forward to another go this coming week and the barley and rape is fast approaching. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DEADLY PLUMBER Posted June 29, 2014 Report Share Posted June 29, 2014 Well done sounds like a nice little ambush and good field craft. You sound chuffed and rightly so. You don't have to shoot big numbers to enjoy your sport. You spotted an opportunity and made it work. Also sounds like a good learning session for your young dog too. ATB. DP Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motty Posted June 29, 2014 Report Share Posted June 29, 2014 Well done on your new personal best. No doubt you will beat that in no time. Are you not a little concerned that you might ruin your dog, taking it out so young? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ira wakefield Posted June 30, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 30, 2014 A good dog man has told me she should be okay but not to let her go for everything. To honest I do most of the picking up I just let her have three or four. She has always come with me work and play. She is my first dog and I have taken advice from a good friend, breeder, shooter and trainer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motty Posted June 30, 2014 Report Share Posted June 30, 2014 A good dog man has told me she should be okay but not to let her go for everything. To honest I do most of the picking up I just let her have three or four. She has always come with me work and play. She is my first dog and I have taken advice from a good friend, breeder, shooter and trainer Fair enough, but it goes against what most pro trainers advise. I am no expert on dogs by any means, but if I were you I would take my time. It is easy to spoil a young dog and not easy to undo bad habits picked up now. Anyone that has seen my bitch in action will know what I mean. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pigeon controller Posted June 30, 2014 Report Share Posted June 30, 2014 Great result . Good work and a PB at the end. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ira wakefield Posted June 30, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 30, 2014 I take on board what you say and appreciate the voice of experience. Most of the time she just observes I only send her out for the odd few. I am hoping this keeps her interested and slowly builds her experience. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShropshireSam Posted June 30, 2014 Report Share Posted June 30, 2014 From my limited experience I think it is good to start a dog young but to only work them to their ability and only a light working session. When you take her out the main thing is to ensure you are fully concentrating on her when you work her and when you are concentrating on other things make sure she is not "working". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ira wakefield Posted June 30, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 30, 2014 That seems to be what i'm doing really, I'm not aiming at producing a first class gun dog, I don't have the time or the knowledge to do that. Everyday I finish work up on the estate and she comes home to the house where the kids and missus adore her, she's the best dog for them and if she only ever does what she did on Friday I would still be happy. Of course as she gets older I will try and nurture her instincts, I have to work to my limited ability too. I do know a bloke who had one of her elder brothers and last time I saw him he had still done nothing with him at two years old, he also said that the mine and his dogs were worlds apart in their temperament and nature, This guy used to clean up at field trials with his two springers, I watched him work them both once and it was mesmerising, his bitch had the brains but the dog would just charge into anything. Any way today I was overlooking the clover I shot on Friday and I could'nt see any birds at all. So much for having another go at it this week!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fenboy Posted June 30, 2014 Report Share Posted June 30, 2014 Well done on the new pb bag. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matty* Posted July 1, 2014 Report Share Posted July 1, 2014 Well done Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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