We are talking rookie here!

[Whopper Stopper]

Having never been to a preserve I was just wondering how they operate. I get the idea that you call and reserve a patch to hunt? You tell them how many birds you would like and for the most part the going rate is $12-$13 a bird? So what do they do, set these birds out in the thickets inside a cage? I guess I don't get how the dogs go about tracking and finding them.Are there other fees besides the bird fee? Sorry for the dumb questions, I have a 4.5 month old Choc. that I think would love a new game. Thanks for any responses!

WS

[ATM]

WS, The preserves will release the birds in the cover you are going to hunt. They are not in cages this will be a good way to introduce a your lab to birds. It is not quite wild bird hunting but i have seen some preserve birds run and do alot of things a wild bird would do to escape. As far as the dogs tracking them they have amazing noses and should have no problem picking up the scent of the birds. As far as the fees some have membership fees and then some you just pay for the number of birds you release. Now that the season is over I plan on getting my pointer out at least a few times this winter and spring.Adam

[goldencasey]

I just tried hunting on a preserve for the first time a couple of weeks ago. My experience was dissapointing. The birds just didn't act the way they do in the wild. We had one, after initially flushing it, that flew to the nearest tree, perched on a branch, and sat and looked at us. I think I'll stick to shooting sporting clays in the off season and hunting wild roosters during the regular season, henceforth.

[lawdog]

I agre they aren't natural wild birds and its not really like hunting, but for getting a young pup on some birds, that's your best bet this time of year. I plan to get to one in the Feb-March time frame with my youngster...

[Powerstroke]

GAme farm birds most certainly don't act like wild birds. The don't run very much and they flush pretty close. It s good experience for young dogs or any dog for that reason. And you still get to take shots at birds which develops good hand/eye coordination

[Mr. B]

I think it depends on the birds. I have been to a few differant game farms and had some birds you had to kick to get them to flush and I have had birds that ran and ran and ran.

If you want a more challanging outing hunt scratch birds. It does not take long for the birds that have been previously released to get smart.

I think game farms are a great training aid and also a wonderful way to way to keep the dog and myself in shape. But they can not take the place of wild birds.

[pheasant maniac]

i work at a game farm i think it depends on the bird setter on how the birds will react. sounds to me you hunt to soon after the release. i would really try a new club or at least the same one again, hope your next outing is more enjoyable.

pheasant maniac!

[mistermom]

I think it is worthwhile. What else are you gonna do (legally) to get your dog out on birds when the season is closed? The place that quite a few of us have been going to up by Glendorado has been fun. I'm prety sure another outing is in the works for some time soon. Might be worth checking out.

mm

[LuciandTim]

That sounds like an awful experience. I just had a blast yesterday. I had 6 birds relesaed and we got four. We saw a lot and missed a lot too. Some sat very tight and some flushed wild. It was a great day to say the least!

[mistermom]

Hey Tim!

Were you up at Glendorado Thursday? Looks like it was a good time. I gots to get out again and soon before Daisy becomes a total house doggy.....

mm

[LuciandTim]

Mistermom: If you ever want to head up let me know..just shoot me an e-mail. I'll let you know when I plan on going also.

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