hunting a pointer and a flusher

Addict · Post by **Addict** » Wed Aug 10, 2005 11:21 pm

I am thinking that it might be fun to hunt a lab with my gsp and gwp. I want to train my lab to hup when he see's a dog pointing. He hup's well now even out away from me. I could also have him just heel until it's time to flush the bird. He doesn't have the endurance to keep up with the pointers on a hunt so this might be the best option.

The reason I want to do this is because the pheasant terrain that I hunt is thick. I don't want to miss a shot because I'm flushing a bird.

What are your thoughts on this? What are some potential problems that others have run into when hunting flushers with pointers? What is the best way to get my lab to look up so that he notices my dogs on point?

Addict

Post by **ezzy333** » Thu Aug 11, 2005 6:26 am

Are the pointers going to stand while the lab flushes? And if they do how long will it be before they start to flush? I know people do it down south at least but I haven't seen it and have always wondered. I sold my labs because I just didn't use them enough. And I never worried about missing a shot because I would never go if that was a concern. Its the opportunity to shoot and to see the dog work is the reason I'm there and not how many I actually get.

Ezzy

Addict · Post by **Addict** » Thu Aug 11, 2005 9:53 am

From what I've read the pointers hold their point until the bird is retrieved to hand. I would take alot of work to get there and to keep the pointers steady. The pheasants here are sparse and the dogs always look at you like why didn't you shoot?

I love watching dogs work but I also enjoy bagging a few. I'm sure that it will improve though with two pointing dogs because they have much better noses then my lab does.

I don't plan on hunting them together until I'm sure that the lab will honor their point, hup immediatly, and the others are steady even if the lab does the flushing. I'm looking at next years season for a possible goal date. Both of the pointers are too young to accomplish this.

Addict

Ryan · Post by **Ryan** » Thu Aug 11, 2005 6:08 pm

Why do you want to use the labs to hunt pheasants if a gs or gwp can do it for ya. use the lab for ducks what they are bred for.

amaya · Post by **amaya** » Thu Aug 11, 2005 8:08 pm

Addict,
I have 3 clients that always want to use their labs with my pointers when we go out. One lab is a well trained pup. The other is a 6 year old. And the last one is just old. All of them are duck dogs. We ve hunted quail and pheasants. The only problem I 've had is with the retrieve. My youngest dog thinks every downed bird is his and the 6 year old lab thinks the same. I just call my dog off the retrieve. The only sugestion I would give, would be sure your gsp and gwp are solid with what they are suppose to be doing before you bring your lab into the mix. Go for it.

Addict · Post by **Addict** » Thu Aug 11, 2005 10:03 pm

Ryan,

I'm afraid my duck hunting will suffer this year and next because I'm getting more into the upland hunting. I hate to see him in the kennel while the others are out playing.

It's the first time I'll be hunting in two states as well so I hope to make the most of it. I'm looking at going from sept to jan this year.

Brian

Addict · Post by **Addict** » Thu Aug 11, 2005 10:06 pm

Amaya,

Thanks for the encouragement. During field work I can call my lab off of a retrieve and make him sit at a distance. He will honor a retrieve if I tell him too. I havn't tried it on birds yet. That could be a different story.

Addict