Search found 76 matches

by Makintrax73
Fri Feb 05, 2021 5:26 pm
Forum: Hunting
Topic: Safety near the AZ/MX border......
Replies: 13
Views: 7633

Re: Safety near the AZ/MX border......

Talked to a guy that was down in that area last week. Hunted 3 days and never saw a bird. Super dry down there and I think with the extremely hot summer in Arizona that it probably really effected the hatch. I talked to one local hunter, and that was his theory also. After I talked to him I looked ...
by Makintrax73
Fri Feb 05, 2021 8:42 am
Forum: Hunting
Topic: Safety near the AZ/MX border......
Replies: 13
Views: 7633

Re: Safety near the AZ/MX border......

I'm on the return leg of a nearly 2 week trip, and figured I'd post up a report: I ended up renting a cabin in the Sulphur Springs Valley of SE AZ, near Pearce AZ. This has easily been the most frustrating hunting trip I've ever done. I had no issues or concerns with other people. What I did find wa...
by Makintrax73
Wed Oct 21, 2020 9:40 am
Forum: Hunting
Topic: W TX/SE NM Quail
Replies: 3
Views: 4187

Re: W TX/SE NM Quail

I did Black Gap, which is a ways South of Mid/Od in 2019. I was forced to hunt TX because I couldn't get down there until after NM season closed. Hunted a couple days with a reasonably good dog and never saw a single bird. Supposed to be some decent hunting there so IDK. There is a box you're suppos...
by Makintrax73
Wed Oct 14, 2020 5:11 pm
Forum: Hunting
Topic: Safety near the AZ/MX border......
Replies: 13
Views: 7633

Re: Safety near the AZ/MX border......

Thanks for the advice. Maybe I'll look at some of the areas a bit further North.

I do carry an Inreach when hunting alone in wilderness areas. Hopefully I'll never need it!
by Makintrax73
Mon Oct 12, 2020 2:48 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: How far should Brittany range
Replies: 11
Views: 4405

Re: How far should Brittany range

I usually disagree with a lot of posts on this forum about range. I don't find 200+ yards useful in almost all cases because I don't find that an average dog has what it takes to "stick" most birds long enough for me to walk that far - especially pheasants and grouse in the thick stuff. Perhaps beca...
by Makintrax73
Mon Oct 12, 2020 1:06 pm
Forum: Hunting
Topic: Safety near the AZ/MX border......
Replies: 13
Views: 7633

Re: Safety near the AZ/MX border......

Chicago collar counties - rural-ish farming/bedroom community
by Makintrax73
Wed Oct 07, 2020 10:08 am
Forum: Hunting
Topic: Safety near the AZ/MX border......
Replies: 13
Views: 7633

Safety near the AZ/MX border......

Considering booking a stay south of Tucson, by myself, for January. Idea being to hit an area that may have all three species of desert quail nearby. Every once in a while I hear or read about horror stories of drug mules and worse running around the border, truck break ins, etc.. Wonder if any of y...
by Makintrax73
Fri Jul 17, 2020 5:29 pm
Forum: Health and Nutrition
Topic: Grain-Free kibble
Replies: 9
Views: 7084

Re: Grain-Free kibble

I fed my setter grain free for a while. After a while on the feed he started having issues in the field on warm days - He would breath very heavy, his tongue would swell, and he'd start weezing for breath, then I'd have to put him up. Switched to Pro Plan after I read about the heart issues and this...
by Makintrax73
Wed Jul 01, 2020 9:27 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Summer heat and dog transport
Replies: 11
Views: 6233

Re: Summer heat and dog transport

I have mine in Rufflands under a Leer topper. I put a remote thermometer back there and if it sunny and I get stopped in traffic it's pretty easy for it to run +10 over ambient on my thermometer, even with the windows open. On a 90 deg humid day it makes me uncomfortable because I do a lot of long r...
by Makintrax73
Wed Jan 15, 2020 9:12 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Watershy Shorthair Help
Replies: 23
Views: 10055

Re: Watershy Shorthair Help

I took my setter to a NAVHDA training day, and the guys there helped with water retrieves. The best advice I ever got about dog training - know when to keep my stupid mouth shut and let the dog figure it out. If the dog wants a bird in its mouth put it in shallow water and let the dog figure it out ...
by Makintrax73
Sun Nov 17, 2019 10:33 am
Forum: Health and Nutrition
Topic: Limber tail -> now permanent hook?
Replies: 6
Views: 5204

Re: Limber tail -> now permanent hook?

Update: took dog to vet I guess several weeks ago now. No broken bones, vet thought it was a soft tissue injury and suggested short term anti inflammatory, and wait and see. The strong hook to the right has mostly resolved itself (very slowly). He is still doing some very weird things with his tail ...
by Makintrax73
Sun Nov 17, 2019 10:27 am
Forum: Training
Topic: hunting too fast
Replies: 37
Views: 21331

Re: hunting too fast

A Garmin doesn't tell if a dog is pointing. It indicate's if the dog is stopped, nothing more. Sometime's when the dog is stopped it will indicate "tree'd"! Your dog decide's to lay down and take a nap to the Garmin the dog is not moving so it indicates pointing and often tree'd. How long the point...
by Makintrax73
Sat Nov 16, 2019 11:18 am
Forum: Training
Topic: hunting too fast
Replies: 37
Views: 21331

Re: hunting too fast

I feel for you. My setter is much the same. Never really solved the problem, but with age (He'll be 6 shortly) he has improved. One thing I did, and I doubt I'll get a lot of support for the idea on this forum (guys here seem to like big runners) was to hammer down on range control. i also hunt grou...
by Makintrax73
Thu Nov 14, 2019 10:41 am
Forum: Product Ratings & Reviews
Topic: Pro 550+
Replies: 37
Views: 22427

Re: Pro 550+

I don't want to walk around looking at the screen. Just a low buzz. If they can make it show a stop sign, they can make it buzz. I don't blame you - I don't want to walk around looking at a screen either. Or hear a buzz of any kind. All you have to do is glance at it when your dog isn't in sight - ...
by Makintrax73
Sun Nov 10, 2019 10:57 pm
Forum: Wild Game Recipes
Topic: Duck
Replies: 35
Views: 39411

Re: Duck

I had good luck making duck Pad Thai. Basically just sliced/chunked the meat, sauteed it, and added it to a decent quality grocery store Pad Thai kit. You know it's duck, but the noodles and sauce spread the flavor out a bit so its not so strong as straight duck.
by Makintrax73
Fri Nov 08, 2019 6:40 am
Forum: Hunting
Topic: Dog disappeared off the face of the earth
Replies: 11
Views: 9862

Re: Dog disappeared off the face of the earth

Oh man, so glad it ended well! That must have been frustrating. Years ago I took my parent's springer hunting and at the first gun shot she took off. 5 days later we finally got that "bleep" dog back. When folks bat an eye over the price of an Alpha 100, I think back to that time when I would have ...
by Makintrax73
Thu Oct 03, 2019 5:06 pm
Forum: Health and Nutrition
Topic: Limber tail -> now permanent hook?
Replies: 6
Views: 5204

Re: Limber tail -> now permanent hook?

Image

He never appeared to be in pain. It certainly isn’t broken. I can manipulate it in any direction with no pain. I took him to a preserve today, and when he was on point the bend got more pronounced as he was on point.
by Makintrax73
Thu Oct 03, 2019 10:24 am
Forum: Health and Nutrition
Topic: Limber tail -> now permanent hook?
Replies: 6
Views: 5204

Limber tail -> now permanent hook?

New pointer I purchased this spring. 1 1/2 years old. Had a beautiful point with a fairly straight tail. Took him to Montana and hunted pretty hard. No real issues. Came back to N WI for couple days rest then hunt two. First day back hunting came down with limber tail. No big deal I think my last po...
by Makintrax73
Fri Sep 27, 2019 2:28 pm
Forum: Hunting
Topic: U.P. Michigan trip
Replies: 5
Views: 7360

Re: U.P. Michigan trip

I generally hunt Iron Co., WI, which borders the western UP. There is something like 100,000 acres of county forest there (just that county), to say nothing of state forest of which there is a bunch more. I expect you'd find much the same in the UP. No lack of places to hunt, more like trouble findi...
by Makintrax73
Sat Sep 21, 2019 7:34 am
Forum: Hunting
Topic: 10,000 miles
Replies: 25
Views: 16366

Re: 10,000 miles

If you're using a IPhone you can always email a copy to yourself and it'll give you a couple of size options to reduce the size. I expect there are easier ways to do it, but that's the one I know of.

How's the hunting going? Did the heat break yet?
by Makintrax73
Sun Sep 15, 2019 7:08 pm
Forum: Hunting
Topic: Early season Hun/Sharpie - need some direction
Replies: 11
Views: 10292

Re: Early season Hun/Sharpie - need some direction

Cut trip a day and a half early with high temperatures and higher forecast. I got very frustrated around Terry with a lot of walking and very little finding so I ventured a couple hours north to find birds and slightly cooler weather. Good thing I did! Hunted two full days and two half days, althoug...
by Makintrax73
Fri Sep 13, 2019 12:14 pm
Forum: Hunting
Topic: Early season Hun/Sharpie - need some direction
Replies: 11
Views: 10292

Re: Early season Hun/Sharpie - need some direction

Lots of walking yesterday. Goose egg.

First spot this morning I saw about 20 birds in two groups. My veteran setter made a beautiful find. Scratched down two birds.

Hopefully getting a better feel for where prime spots might be.
by Makintrax73
Thu Sep 12, 2019 5:41 am
Forum: Hunting
Topic: Early season Hun/Sharpie - need some direction
Replies: 11
Views: 10292

Re: Early season Hun/Sharpie - need some direction

The time for my trip is here. Weather looks to make things interesting. Rains and flooding advisory on the map. I’ll be in Eastern MT today. Picked Terry MT based on accessibility of block management and advice of the game warden. Haven’t ever been to MT so I’m a bit worried the rural roads will be ...
by Makintrax73
Sun Aug 18, 2019 5:10 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Looking for some new pants.
Replies: 4
Views: 2691

Re: Looking for some new pants.

I have the same problem. Upland clothes for...um....husky people seem to be all they keep in stock. I had a pair of Filsons that fit that I wore out, then found out they were $190 to replace :roll: . I went poking around the net a while back and found an site for a company that makes custom briar pa...
by Makintrax73
Sun Jul 07, 2019 9:07 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Newbie in WI
Replies: 2
Views: 2029

Re: Newbie in WI

The local NAVHDA by me is an excellent resource for training. You should get out with them to a training day ASAP! Get your dog on some birds and get some help with introduction to the gun will go a long way to making a good bird dog.
by Makintrax73
Sun Jul 07, 2019 9:01 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: New Michigan Bird Hunter
Replies: 3
Views: 1826

Re: New Michigan Bird Hunter

I've had good luck finding grouse and learning good bird habitat by using the WI DNR grouse habitat areas. MI has a similar program called GEMS. I would certainly try a few of those if I lived in MI. Pheasant and quail hunting in the eastern Midwest generally sucks unless you have access to good pri...
by Makintrax73
Sun Jul 07, 2019 8:42 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Dogs under a truck topper
Replies: 15
Views: 14024

Re: Dogs under a truck topper

I was able to find an aftermarket manual slider online. Something I will need to research. I don't want leaks or other problems. The inner tube idea is indeed a genius idea.
by Makintrax73
Fri Jul 05, 2019 8:47 am
Forum: Training
Topic: Dog points, but won't point pheasants
Replies: 9
Views: 4736

Re: Dog points, but won't point pheasants

Had more or less the same problem with ruffed grouse when I first started hunting them. Took a couple full days of hunting before it started to click, and multiple grouse hunting trips before he started making respectable finds on a regular basis. I more or less just whoa'd the dog on a pushed up bi...
by Makintrax73
Thu Jul 04, 2019 9:05 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Dogs under a truck topper
Replies: 15
Views: 14024

Re: Dogs under a truck topper

Thanks for the advice guys. Unfortunately my truck is dark grey. It looked lighter in the pictures I ordered it from, but I'm stuck with dark now. No slider window. F150 doesn't offer a manual slider, and the power version requires an XLT package plus the power slider option - at this point it's mul...
by Makintrax73
Wed Jul 03, 2019 10:59 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Dogs under a truck topper
Replies: 15
Views: 14024

Dogs under a truck topper

Just purchased an F-150 extended cab for my hunting rig. The Highlander was not getting me into all the places I wanted to go - many times alone and outside of cell coverage. Frankly got tired of the Highlander smelling like a wet, dirty dog too. I have two dogs - pointer and setter. So the next pur...
by Makintrax73
Mon Jun 10, 2019 6:42 am
Forum: Hunting
Topic: Early season Hun/Sharpie - need some direction
Replies: 11
Views: 10292

Re: Early season Hun/Sharpie - need some direction

It can be very hot in early September and very hard on the dogs Yeah, understood. My setter isn't very good in the heat - won't stop. My new pointer seems OK - he slows down at least when he gets hot. But if I'm going to do this and camp the weather needs to be OK. I'm definitely a fair weather cam...
by Makintrax73
Tue Jun 04, 2019 1:32 pm
Forum: Health and Nutrition
Topic: Thoughts on the "grain free"/DCM association?
Replies: 4
Views: 4559

Thoughts on the "grain free"/DCM association?

Any thoughts on the recently published studies associating "grain free" dog food with dilated cardiomyopathy? I had the dog on a Purina Grain Free product because he was a picky eater and ate the Grain Free OK. I did note some concerning things with my dog. When I ran him during warmer weather he wo...
by Makintrax73
Sun Jun 02, 2019 10:58 am
Forum: Hunting
Topic: Early season Hun/Sharpie - need some direction
Replies: 11
Views: 10292

Early season Hun/Sharpie - need some direction

I retired early last year and got dog no 2 in the lineup a couple months back. Looking ahead at early season getting the dogs into some birds and it looks like Huns/Sharpie might be the ticket, but I've never tried them before. I did late season truck camping/scalie hunting in South TX last year on ...
by Makintrax73
Tue Apr 23, 2019 9:57 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: American Brittany Nervousness
Replies: 6
Views: 2620

Re: American Brittany Nervousness

I went through a similar problem a number of years ago. Saw a couple warning signing when I looked at the dog but she generally looked good in her home environment. Brought the dog home and she fell apart. Kept her for a month to see if she would settle in. She didn't. Wouldn't leave my side when in...
by Makintrax73
Mon Oct 16, 2017 7:14 am
Forum: Product Ratings & Reviews
Topic: Dogtra Pathfinder
Replies: 28
Views: 31071

Re: Dogtra Pathfinder

Does it need cell service?? Does it give you an indication when dog goes on point?? No it does not need cell service. You can download a "basic" map ahead of time, or just use the compass. The actual signal between the collar and the phone relies on a repeater device you carry with you. The phone s...
by Makintrax73
Sat Feb 25, 2017 4:44 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Paw infection
Replies: 10
Views: 4352

Re: Paw infection

My dog had something almost exactly like that this year. Ended up being a thorn in his foot. I went to the vet, got some Rymadil, and one pill reduced the swelling enough that I could see a black dot under the skin. Was able to pull it out and all better in a week w antibiotics. Watch for a black sp...
by Makintrax73
Sun Feb 05, 2017 9:39 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Best breed for beginner?
Replies: 20
Views: 13003

Re: Best breed for beginner?

Get a started dog. Ask to run it on birds without a collar. Be critical. Does it hunt with the handler without much hacking, in comfortable range, find birds, and return to kennel without too much fuss? Any sign of gunshyness? Now ask a pro for help when needed to finish to whatever standard you pre...
by Makintrax73
Tue Jan 24, 2017 3:28 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Setter heat tolerance question.
Replies: 13
Views: 7523

Re: Setter heat tolerance question.

My current setter is on the short coated side for a setter. From grouse trial lines. He is 42 lbs with very little fat, and although I did not road him, I did run him several times a week at a local training area in the summer and fall - he is in decent shape - not field trial shape but OK. Anything...
by Makintrax73
Sun Jan 15, 2017 8:23 am
Forum: Training
Topic: Need advice with 5.5 month VDD
Replies: 5
Views: 2988

Re: Need advice with 5.5 month VDD

The local NAVDHA chapter near me is very welcoming of new people, and have experienced trainers who provide free help at training days. Join NAVDHA, and look for a local chapter within a reasonable drive and GO. Don't cheap out on birds either unless you have large amounts of public land with birds ...
by Makintrax73
Thu Jan 12, 2017 8:13 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Cold night in the crate, what is the limit?
Replies: 22
Views: 16491

Re: Cold night in the crate, what is the limit?

Thanks guys. We had a great 3 day hunt and the dog did fine. He is pretty well spent though! Ended up taking my SUV after all. Took the small crate and wrapped it in a blanket. Surprised how warm it was in there in the AM! Had to resort to warmed up canned food to get him to eat, but I knew that wou...
by Makintrax73
Fri Jan 06, 2017 11:39 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Cold night in the crate, what is the limit?
Replies: 22
Views: 16491

Re: Cold night in the crate, what is the limit?

Fortunately the weather is supposed to be dry in KS for the duration, so I don't think the dog will be getting put up wet. And if he was wet at the end of the day I would certainly do something to make sure he is dry before bedding down. I don't have a winter cover for the crate, which is why I was ...
by Makintrax73
Fri Jan 06, 2017 10:41 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Cold night in the crate, what is the limit?
Replies: 22
Views: 16491

Cold night in the crate, what is the limit?

Haven't really done overnight trips much, but the last couple of years I've vowed to spend more time chasing wild birds. My setter is a house dog. Leaving for KS tomorrow to chase pheasants. The outfitter does not have heated kennels, and does not allow dogs inside at all. So the dog will be spendin...
by Makintrax73
Fri Dec 09, 2016 6:45 pm
Forum: Training
Topic: House Breaking an Older Dog
Replies: 15
Views: 8129

Re: House Breaking an Older Dog

Okay, so much for the house breaking issue. Seems it's not really an issue. Has anyone seen any problems in taking a 2-3 year old dog that has been a kennel dog it's entire life and transitioning it to a house dog? I'm assuming that most will make the transition without much problem. Just another a...
by Makintrax73
Mon Nov 21, 2016 11:04 am
Forum: Hunting
Topic: Wolves in Forest Grouse Country
Replies: 46
Views: 47892

Re: Wolves in Forest Grouse Country

http://dnr.wi.gov/files/PDF/pubs/wm/WM0430.pdf Page 4-5 It is illegal to: ........ Possess or control shotshells loaded with a single slug or ball while hunting any game bird or wild turkey except during open gun deer or bear seasons. Shotshells loaded with a single slug or ball are legal during any...
by Makintrax73
Thu Nov 10, 2016 7:31 am
Forum: Hunting
Topic: Wolves in Forest Grouse Country
Replies: 46
Views: 47892

Re: Wolves in Forest Grouse Country

There are good reasons to carry a handgun but I don't think there has ever been a handgun made with the stopping power of a shotgun. I checked the regs in WI and it seems to say it is illegal to possess slug or buck rounds in the field, unless deer or bear is in season and you have a permit. Handgu...
by Makintrax73
Thu Nov 10, 2016 7:20 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Alpha
Replies: 5
Views: 3062

Re: Alpha

Bytes are cheap. My impression of the extras is that they already had the software so it was included just because. I doubt it would be significantly cheaper without the fluff. The topo maps are very handy in the back country where there is no cell service, and I suspect hound hunters find them hand...
by Makintrax73
Tue Nov 08, 2016 3:44 pm
Forum: Hunting
Topic: Northern Wisconsin Grouse Hunt
Replies: 8
Views: 6331

Re: Northern Wisconsin Grouse Hunt

http://www.wdio.com/Outdoors/hunting-dogs-killed-by-wolves-wisconsin-bear-season/4289057/ Not sure if lucky is the right word. It is getting out of hand. The wolves have caught on that hunting dogs are easy prey. Unfortunately our DNR is more worried about feeding the wolves with elk introduction a...
by Makintrax73
Fri Sep 30, 2016 9:57 pm
Forum: Training
Topic: Force Fetch - next steps after the yard
Replies: 10
Views: 6209

Re: Force Fetch - next steps after the yard

Does the setter even LIKE birds? Some setters simply HATE to retrieve and NO amount of force will EVER make the dog a good retriever. If you throw a clip wing in the yard, will he chase it and grab it? Never used a clip wing, but I would say yes. He has grabbed/mouthed birds on his own accord. Retr...
by Makintrax73
Fri Sep 30, 2016 6:45 am
Forum: Training
Topic: Force Fetch - next steps after the yard
Replies: 10
Views: 6209

Re: Force Fetch - next steps after the yard

Are you throwing any bumpers or just walking out and placing them? He really should experience something falling from the air to retrieve, then possibly with an added shot. Both. Placed or thrown bumpers. Dog is totally reliable in the yard, and excited about the job (in the yard) Have tried shooti...
by Makintrax73
Fri Sep 30, 2016 6:30 am
Forum: Training
Topic: Dog won't force-fetch
Replies: 37
Views: 20442

Re: Dog won't force-fetch

Guys I am a complete rookie at this, having tried one dog this year on FF. It took me around 3 months from start to getting the dog to pick a bumper off the ground with 1 or 2 short sessions a day. Timing? Pressure? Who knows, but unless you are good or lucky this is not going to be a quick and easy...