Search found 3310 matches

by Wagonmaster
Fri Mar 07, 2014 8:31 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: trial hunting ranges
Replies: 148
Views: 47461

Re: trial hunting ranges

I have seen exactly one, one hundred yard (or possibly better) point out of gazillions. It happened under perfect scenting conditions, short grass prairie, early in the morning, moisture in the air, just a slight breeze. It is also possible those birds ran before they flushed, but I doubt it, they w...
by Wagonmaster
Thu Mar 06, 2014 8:29 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: trial hunting ranges
Replies: 148
Views: 47461

Re: trial hunting ranges

The run comes right away, when they are pups you can only watch and laugh. If it has a nose, that will make a dog in a couple of years. Although there is often a period when they are first made broke when they will shorten up and you hope and expect that they will gain confidence and move out again....
by Wagonmaster
Wed Mar 05, 2014 9:36 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: trial hunting ranges
Replies: 148
Views: 47461

Re: trial hunting ranges

I hunt AA bred pointers and have for more years than some of you have had dogs. One needs to understand that a big running dog does not run by birds 100 yds. away to find birds 500 yds. away. They will range until they find birds or you turn them or they turn themselves. I expect my dogs to stand t...
by Wagonmaster
Wed Mar 05, 2014 5:26 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: trial hunting ranges
Replies: 148
Views: 47461

Re: trial hunting ranges

Well, another thing that is my favorite issue, is COMMUNICATION. So people who have dogs that have no style, like to claim that style is unrelated to hunting, if a dog goes on point it does not matter what it looks like. I can tell you that when a dog makes a find on game that far out you will defin...
by Wagonmaster
Wed Feb 26, 2014 3:49 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Coyotes and Dogs
Replies: 225
Views: 96862

Re: Coyotes and Dogs

You should be concerned any time you see a coyote, and especially a single coyote, just "hanging out" and apparently unafraid with dogs around. They employ a decoy strategy where a single animal will just "hang out" in the open. When a dog or other animal goes to check it out, the decoy will drop ba...
by Wagonmaster
Wed Feb 26, 2014 12:05 pm
Forum: Events
Topic: 2014 NGSPA National Championship
Replies: 64
Views: 45228

Re: 2014 NGSPA National Championship

Weather is very nice. A little warm this past Saturday at 73 dF, but it cooled over the weekend so temps are in the 50's. A little rain in the forecast, but the grounds could probably use a little for a change, the gallery is putting up some dust. Grounds are quite dry for AR in the spring. Just abo...
by Wagonmaster
Wed Mar 06, 2013 3:25 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: leaving your shorthair out while at work
Replies: 28
Views: 13444

Re: leaving your shorthair out while at work

I have done that with my adult dogs for several years now with no problem, that is, let them have the run of the house during the day, or at least a specific room of the house. The problem with putting them in a run during the day where we live is what happens in Jan. or Feb. when it is -20F and the...
by Wagonmaster
Mon Feb 25, 2013 12:46 pm
Forum: Events
Topic: Boonville Running Order
Replies: 7
Views: 3898

Re: Boonville Running Order

I am not there anymore. Back home.
by Wagonmaster
Mon Feb 25, 2013 10:59 am
Forum: Events
Topic: Boonville Running Order
Replies: 7
Views: 3898

Re: Boonville Running Order

The running order is drawn the night before and goes up on the wall on a poster board. No way to get a copy that I know of except to go.
by Wagonmaster
Mon Feb 25, 2013 10:23 am
Forum: Events
Topic: NGSPA National Championships
Replies: 24
Views: 14916

Re: NGSPA National Championships

I was there briefly over the weekend. Weather was good, some water on the course but it has been worse.

The NFT Catalog has been posted at www.ngspa.org for those who would like to download a copy.
by Wagonmaster
Mon Feb 18, 2013 2:30 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Coyote speed?
Replies: 18
Views: 9698

Re: Coyote speed?

Coyotes have a hunting strategy that can be fatal to dogs. They set out a decoy - one animal will just stand out in the open until the dog comes to investigate. The decoy then runs away, leading the dog right into reinforcements, and the dog is killed. A young pup was lost during a field trial here ...
by Wagonmaster
Sat Feb 16, 2013 6:56 pm
Forum: Events
Topic: NGSPA National Championships
Replies: 24
Views: 14916

Re: NGSPA National Championships

Best of luck to you and JR Jerry. I am hoping to be there for the NC, we will see, depends on whether the weather allows me to fly down.. Sorry, I did not notice your earlier thread until I posted this. The old man is on the couch with me.
by Wagonmaster
Tue Feb 12, 2013 12:23 pm
Forum: Events
Topic: NGSPA National Championships
Replies: 24
Views: 14916

NGSPA National Championships

The Championships start on Feb. 23 in Booneville, AR. The order of the stakes is Amateur Championship, Futurity , National Championship, Shooting Dog Championship (OSD). There are 50 Amateur dogs, 31 Futurities, 18 All Age and 60 OSD. Assuming the weather and conditions cooperate, the expected start...
by Wagonmaster
Sun Dec 09, 2012 11:00 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: average speed
Replies: 22
Views: 9352

Re: average speed

I used to put my two shorthairs in harnesses and have them pull me on a scooter. On the cyclocomputer we would do 23 mph on a packed clay trail. That is pulling a 200 lbs load, albeit on wheels with only minor drag. That pace was slow for them in comparison to running free. However, speed in the fie...
by Wagonmaster
Thu Dec 06, 2012 5:17 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Do you hunt your trial dog?
Replies: 33
Views: 14272

Re: Do you hunt your trial dog?

I don't see what the fuss is. The NC and I went out with a couple of friends and shot some pheasants in ND last weekend. Cold, crusted snow, and cattail swamps with some difficult retrieves digging them out of the mess. He is getting on in years so it was a little hard on him, but then me too so I t...
by Wagonmaster
Thu Nov 29, 2012 4:11 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Should birddogs be judged/titled based on conformation?
Replies: 82
Views: 23051

Re: Should birddogs be judged/titled based on conformation?

We are talking apples and oranges when you compare the big show at Ames and the GWP Nationals, you are talking apples and oranges when you try to compare a GWP to a pointer or setter they just are not bred for the same application. Well, I will only say this. I have run in the GWP Nationals and a f...
by Wagonmaster
Thu Nov 29, 2012 1:48 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Should birddogs be judged/titled based on conformation?
Replies: 82
Views: 23051

Re: Should birddogs be judged/titled based on conformation?

To answer the original question, in a word - no. In two words - not ever. The most important characteristic of a bird dog is nose, and right along with that the characteristic dog people call "birdiness" or "bird sense." A dog with a good nose that gets excited about finding birds early in life, wil...
by Wagonmaster
Mon Mar 26, 2012 10:59 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: trial question
Replies: 22
Views: 8233

Re: trial question

It is common courtesy to wait for the backing dog if it is anywhere close. You don't want to put that dog in the position of seeing the flush, hearing the shot, and breaking simply because it was not ready for what was going to happen. That would especially be true of a fun trial, which is just a tr...
by Wagonmaster
Wed Jan 11, 2012 2:26 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Continuing Education...a field trial thread
Replies: 10
Views: 3842

Re: Continuing Education...a field trial thread

What I enjoy most is the things they figure out for themselves starting somewhere between 4 and 6 years of age, if they are hunted every year. Had a GWP years ago that figured out if he trailed a running rooster he would go right up the tailpipe and it would go out, so he would come offwind of the b...
by Wagonmaster
Wed Jan 04, 2012 1:04 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Flying with a dog
Replies: 1
Views: 1290

Re: Flying with a dog

If you are thinking about flying commercial, go on the particular airline's website and do a search for "pet" and "travel" or something similar, and you will find their requirements and information. My dogs have flown with me dozens of times, it is a non-event. If you are talking about in the back o...
by Wagonmaster
Tue Nov 15, 2011 5:34 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: watch out for ricochets they hurt
Replies: 15
Views: 7004

Re: watch out for ricochets they hurt

I don't take, and won't allow people in our group to take low shots of any kind. I tell them that in no uncertain terms. I wouldn't know where to start, putting a price on either of mine. I am lucky I guess. In all the years I have hunted neither I nor the dogs have been hit, but I don't hunt big gr...
by Wagonmaster
Thu Sep 08, 2011 2:08 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Lee Struebing has passed away
Replies: 2
Views: 1775

Re: Lee Struebing has passed away

Very sorry to hear that Vern. He was definitely one of the good guys.
by Wagonmaster
Fri Aug 26, 2011 12:48 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Story behind magazine cover...
Replies: 11
Views: 4060

Re: Story behind magazine cover...

There is one of those in the Bird Dog Museum in Grand Junction.
by Wagonmaster
Thu Aug 25, 2011 10:08 pm
Forum: Events
Topic: AKC/AF Dual Sanctioned Field Trials
Replies: 3
Views: 1946

Re: AKC/AF Dual Sanctioned Field Trials

One place to look would be online at www.ngpsa.com . The NGSPA member clubs (other than the Regional and Specie organizations) virtually all put on dual sanctioned trials. Not all of the club's AKC trials will be dual sanctioned, but usually at least one a year.
by Wagonmaster
Thu Aug 25, 2011 10:05 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: What is cosiderered a good nose?
Replies: 13
Views: 5414

Re: What is cosiderered a good nose?

This is a great subject and I don't think we have even begun to understand it. I have seen a 100 yd. nose, dog went on point in perfect morning prairie conditions and birds raised that far away. Not running birds either. But I don't think range alone explains it. We used to hunt quail with that same...
by Wagonmaster
Tue Aug 23, 2011 12:52 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Divided Find
Replies: 12
Views: 3083

Re: Divided Find

At that age you don't care if one pointed and rest backed or crept in. All you care about is that they are all on birds! and what a great sight it is.
by Wagonmaster
Tue Aug 23, 2011 12:50 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: drilling out a blank gun cylinder
Replies: 14
Views: 16427

Re: drilling out a blank gun cylinder

Well, that's a bigger issue - if they are zinc diecast and not steel. Cannot withstand much internal pressure at all. One issue is that some .22 blanks (full blanks), are sealed with a wad. The true .22 blank guns have the cylinder aimed at a "splitter," a V shaped piece of metal where the barrel bo...
by Wagonmaster
Mon Aug 22, 2011 11:38 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Johnny House Water Supply
Replies: 25
Views: 13577

Re: Johnny House Water Supply

Mine is identical in design to yours, although a fair amount older. I use a Gillis watering system hooked to a hose for water, there is a hydrant not far away. Two suggestions. One is to put medium sized rocks under the edge of the johnny house, where there is a gap between the johnny house and the ...
by Wagonmaster
Mon Aug 22, 2011 7:45 am
Forum: Events
Topic: NGSPA Question
Replies: 17
Views: 5824

Re: NGSPA Question

The issue of bitches in heat came up recently in the organization because we are an AF organization and the AF rules do not allow it, while the NGSPA rules always have, as long as it can be done without interfering with other dogs' performances (i.e. the bitch in heat runs in the last brace). Our NG...
by Wagonmaster
Fri Aug 19, 2011 9:49 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Another one bites the dust
Replies: 34
Views: 8283

Re: Another one bites the dust

Stay away from stuffed toys. For one thing, some of them have eyes or noses that are just made wrong, with pins or metal loops that the dog will wind up swallowing. But the worst is the fabric. If the dog gets too much fabric, or fabric of the wrong shape in its gut, it can result in bloat, which me...
by Wagonmaster
Thu Aug 18, 2011 12:07 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Antibiotic Dosage for Quail
Replies: 2
Views: 2088

Re: Antibiotic Dosage for Quail

I found the hard way that antibiotics don't do much good. Much more important is to get quail from a local source, so they have not been stressed by shipment and kept in a crate for a day or two at very high temps, and then in the care of the quail, to make sure they have a water supply they can't p...
by Wagonmaster
Tue Aug 09, 2011 11:14 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: The highest calling
Replies: 15
Views: 5431

Re: The highest calling

Some years ago I wrote the story of Reba, a true gift to our house, who took care of my son who was high functioning autistic. Their first meeting was a little like what you describe, didn't know what to make of each other, and at one point Reba barked being a little afraid, and Steven cried. But th...
by Wagonmaster
Mon Aug 08, 2011 12:20 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: starter pistols?
Replies: 11
Views: 5632

Re: starter pistols?

The main issue with the cheap one's is that they come apart or break in use. Often, the center pin for the cylinder is just screwed in, comes unscrewed, and falls to the ground (where you are not likely to ever find it in the field). One trick is to use a little Loctite on that pin.
by Wagonmaster
Tue Aug 02, 2011 1:35 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: North Dakota
Replies: 13
Views: 5166

Re: North Dakota

Yes, I doubt that more water will equate to great waterfowl hunting. What seems to happen is that more water means the birds are more spread out on the prairie, because there are more potholes for them to use. It takes a few years of water to bring the population up, and the biggest impact out there...
by Wagonmaster
Mon Jun 13, 2011 8:53 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Field trials and breeding
Replies: 130
Views: 25425

Re: Field trials and breeding

False premise? OF COURSE! What else are we going to do to get a good conversation going? It would be extra boring around here if no one ever posted anything off the wall made up or a hair brained idea. I can start another topic about why navhda sucks and how those dogs all hunt too close, and lack ...
by Wagonmaster
Mon Jun 13, 2011 11:53 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Field trials and breeding
Replies: 130
Views: 25425

Re: Field trials and breeding

The board has been a little dull outside why are GSPs popular (or not). For conversations sake lets get something going. Here is the question if field trials are supposed to be about producing a better hunting dog through competition/comparison and selection, why does it seem that most "pro" field ...
by Wagonmaster
Wed Jun 01, 2011 10:35 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: I might be morbid
Replies: 9
Views: 5938

Re: I might be morbid

Let me tell you what I did, maybe it will help you. I have been involved in dogs and training for quite a few years, and have noticed that some people think the way to train a dog is harsh punishment. I have even found myself wanting to do that in fits of exasperation with some young dog. Some years...
by Wagonmaster
Tue May 24, 2011 10:26 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: pointing
Replies: 11
Views: 3677

Re: pointing

Has anyone owned and worked one and how did it turn out? Helpful answers only please So how is it not helpful to tell you to stay away from this "opportunity." Breeding quality hunting dogs is harder than it might seem. Lots of things can go wrong, even when you are breeding like kind to like kind,...
by Wagonmaster
Tue May 24, 2011 10:15 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Is my trainer telling the truth?
Replies: 25
Views: 8538

Re: Is my trainer telling the truth?

I think your pro is right on. from the sounds of it the dog had not had much bird experience before going to the pro, and it is an 18 month old dog. it is very important that the pup get lots of bird exposure under its belt before putting the pressure on it. ideally, the pup should have had that bir...
by Wagonmaster
Mon May 23, 2011 2:29 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: pointing
Replies: 11
Views: 3677

Re: pointing

So, did the male springer get into the female pointer's kennel or vice versa?

Why would you want to do this, you will have no way of predicting whether the pups will point or not. And some of the might and others might not.
by Wagonmaster
Fri Apr 29, 2011 6:22 am
Forum: Events
Topic: AKC 2011 Gun Dog. Ch event coverage
Replies: 22
Views: 10587

Re: AKC 2011 Gun Dog. Ch event coverage

You win some you should lose, you lose some you should win, and then there are others where you need to be able to appreciate the beauty in the day, cause that's all your gonna get.

Worth it just to ride under that big sky.
by Wagonmaster
Thu Apr 28, 2011 10:07 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: I am asking a lot of questions - sorry?
Replies: 12
Views: 3745

Re: I am asking a lot of questions - sorry?

Yeah, so if you are at a very nice Caribbean island with your wife, what are you doing talking to us????

For a summary of what it takes to become a Field Champion, go to Ch. 14 of the AKC Pointing Breed Field Trial Rules, www.akc.org/pdfs/rulebooks/RFTPNT.pdf
by Wagonmaster
Wed Apr 27, 2011 5:07 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Ngspa national champion "title withheld" ????????
Replies: 18
Views: 8390

Re: Ngspa national champion "title withheld" ????????

The GSPCA doesn't either. Years ago, the GSPCA National Championships rotated. What happened was that the GSPCA Nationals were in effect a "regional" national championship. If they were on the East Coast, predominantly East Coast people and dogs came and most often won, if they were in the Central M...
by Wagonmaster
Wed Apr 27, 2011 9:34 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Ngspa national champion "title withheld" ????????
Replies: 18
Views: 8390

Re: Ngspa national champion "title withheld" ????????

Yes, we all admire the well known Ch. Withheld. That dog has won many times, and seems to have a knack for winning when the rest of us just can't get it done. Withholding of RU is a little different than withholding of Ch. In the GSP world, both at the GSPCA and at the NGSPA Nationals, dogs are judg...
by Wagonmaster
Tue Apr 26, 2011 4:47 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: which would you like to own,use?
Replies: 34
Views: 10728

Re: which would you like to own,use?

After watching alot of dogs,and how they are being put up,and then having two young pups(5 months) I ask this simple question. Which would you want to own,and put up for a win. A dog who is a nice stylish dog who is consistant,runs foward and finds alot of game,or the on the edge,big running dog wh...
by Wagonmaster
Tue Apr 26, 2011 4:26 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Ngspa & GSPA rules
Replies: 8
Views: 4559

Re: Ngspa & GSPA rules

Yes, and then we have the "cross-sanctioned" weekend trials too. I am just trying not to confuse the OP with more than he can absorb.
by Wagonmaster
Tue Apr 26, 2011 2:52 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: GSP Bloodline
Replies: 19
Views: 8668

Re: GSP Bloodline

You guys can call the dog "B Ranger" if you want. His call name was just Ranger. Gary is from NE MN, that area is known is the Minnesota Iron Range and is known as "Da Range" and its inhabitants are called "Rangers," hence the name. I believe Gary still has it on his license plate. Ranger was a grea...
by Wagonmaster
Tue Apr 26, 2011 2:34 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: I was wowed today but not in a good way
Replies: 15
Views: 4579

Re: I was wowed today but not in a good way

I gotta tell you, Mark, this is an old theme, as you know. To AKC and AF people, they all came from Germany. To DK people it is existential war, and "nonpure" dogs and breeds should not be allowed to exist. After listening to it for 50 years or so, it sure gets old. I used to think we were all just ...
by Wagonmaster
Tue Apr 26, 2011 2:28 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Ngspa & GSPA rules
Replies: 8
Views: 4559

Re: Ngspa & GSPA rules

Hotpepper has it right, of course, except there is a book of running rules for the NGSPA, it is just a little difficult to get a copy sometimes. Try Art Armbrust, look him up on the www.ngspa.org website, he will send you a copy. The GSPCA is an AKC organization, so it follows the AKC running rules ...
by Wagonmaster
Tue Apr 26, 2011 1:43 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Ngspa national champion "title withheld" ????????
Replies: 18
Views: 8390

Re: Ngspa national champion "title withheld" ????????

Oh, heck, thanks but it is awhile ago, and the dog did it, not me. I just had fun following along.

Just trying to get our OP set on the right course here.