Dogs and Grouse this time of year

[lungdeflator]

I like to take my springer out with me when I shed hunt. But its like fall all over for her again and all she cares about is grouse. When she finds one or jumps one what should I do? Is it wrong to encourage her if it is out of season?

[drewevans]

in my opinion you should encourage her if you punish her she may remember that and it could take some work to get her to get back into it in the fall

if you just ignore it it may not do any harm?? i dunno i think if my dog does something it is trained to do i need to encourage them.

[MuleShack]

As long as she is just pointing them and not actually catching them, I dont see any harm in it. It is no different then a wolf or yote comeing thru to harrass them.

Probably a good opportunity to work on staying on point

[lungdeflator]

Ok. Well shes just a family dog really so we never officially trained her. But shes "experience" trained if that makes sense. So all she does is get on a scent and depending on our encouragement she goes forward or slows down and waits for us. Ill give her praise and everything from now on when shes on one, I think its beneficial to her, almost like hunting except no killing

[BMaxus]

If you enjoy it, this is great and praise her. There are folks that dry hunt in the spring, they don't shoot so it's kinda like catch and release. You don't hunt that dog, why not?

Seems like she'd be a good bird dog. Good Luck and have fun.