flusher hunting with a pointer

[Johnny_Namakan]

I wasn't sure if I should post this on the Pheasants forum or this hunting dogs forum. Either way, here it goes. I have the opportunity to head out to SoDak in October for some pheasant hunting. The guy I'm going with has a setter and I have a lab. I'd like to bring my dog along, but I know it's not a good idea to have a lab flush birds and be rewarded in front of a dog that only gets rewarded for holding staunch. His dog is still young and this will be it's first year as an adult in the fields. She hunted last year but was still a pup. My dog is in the very same situation, only about 1 1/2 years old. So we would basically have two rookie dogs, descently trained mind you, but nonetheless, rookies. Maybe we could take turns with the dogs. Hunt a pointer in one field, move on and hunt my lab in the next field. My dog would love to go and I would love to have her. But I'm a guest and feel his dog should get priority. So I'm kind of in a dilema. Have any of you hunted flusher with pionters, and if so, how did it go?

[Heidi]

I have hunted my Brittany next to labs without problem. Most of the time you are spread out and the dogs aren't around each other anyway. I have noticed that one lab dog kind of keeps an eye on my dog and moves closer when on point, but his owner catches him and puts the cabosh on this activity. I haven't had a problem. My two cents

[OUTDOORNUT]

I've hunted for years with buddies pointers when I only had a Lab. As long as you aren't hunting shoulder to shoulder and give you and the dogs some space, you shouldn't have any problems. I now hunt with my Weim and my Lab together most always, my Lab points, but it is more like a short hesitation. My Lab will honor the Weim, but the Weim still won't honor the Lab.......go figuire! ha ha

When they are both on different points is when it gets really exciting!!! Ideal hunting is getting the Lab in deep cover and the Weim and those legs on the shorter grasses along the perimeter.

[gspman]

I'd do one of 2 things.

1) Hunt one dog at a time as cover dictates. Thick stuff = lab, crp grass type stuff = setter

2) Hunt both at same time but keep them far apart. If you can stop your lab when the setter is pointing then I don't think you'll have any problems.

[BLACKJACK]

I say take your dog with, if its hot, you'll need all the dog power you can get. If you hunt big areas, you should be far enough apart. In small areas, you may need to kennel one of them. But definately take your dog with!

[Blaze]

YES - absolutely bring your dog with! Hunting in SD is exactly what these dogs are bred for - it's paradise to them and a true joy to watch whether they're pointers or flushers.

I would also ditto what gspman said. Better to rotate or have separation with young dogs to help them develop their own style of hunting without competition.

We expect to see pics of your trip after you get back!

[Johnny_Namakan]

OK, you guys sold me on it. The dog gets to go!!! I will definitely share some pics on the return. I better start sharpening those shooting skills. I'd hate for my dog to turn, look at me, and give you that look that says, "what the heck kind of shot was that. I did my job, time to do yours."

[CodyDawg]

One thing to take into consideration is how you and your buddy view "proper" dog work. myself, I could care less if someone honors someone else's point. My dogs care less if they are on point and the lab comes along and busts the bird. But to some people, this is very important, so talk to your buddy and anyone else you will be hunting with and get their expectations.

[ReelTimes]

Definitely bring the dog...it will be a great experience! I have flushers (spaniel) and some of my friends have pointers. My dogs always works in pretty tight (15-20 yds) and their versatile dogs work out quite far (as thats what their bred to do). If both dogs work the same area in front of 2-3 guns, my experience has been that the versatile (pointers) dogs tend to wind the bird first with more frequency. Again, it is because they're getting out further and the flushers seem to be working cover that has often already been covered. Because of this, I don't hunt them together unless we have several gunners so that the dogs are mostly hunting their own cover or we separate in 2-3 hunters per group and keep the flushers in one group and pointers in the other. Seems to be more enjoyable for everyone.