Pointing Labs

[R. Miller]

My buddy just purchased an 8 week old yellow pointing lab two days ago.

It looks like an awesome dog! It was pointing wings in the backyard last night! Anyway, any of you have a lot of success with grouse and your pointing labs? Assume they'd be fine, just wanted a few replies...getting pumped for bird hunting!

[311Hemi]

Thats kind of a loaded question.....but I would suggest doing a google search for pointing labs and going to that forum specific on them. You will get more specific info there.

Does he have a training plan to follow and know how he is going to introduce birds? There is some fairly specific info regarding this....things to do and not to do. Dog needs to get on a lot of live birds, and you don't want him to catch any. That is a start but a good book will help you a lot.

There are many thing that can influence how this dog develops....and if the dog points consistently it still may point to fairly close to birds which would not be the best for grouse.

Lets keep this post on this initial question..or close to it!!

[R. Miller]

I know it was kind of a loaded question. I guess I was just interested in listening any FMer's that use pointing labs for grouse. I brought my buddy a few pheasant tails and a copy of Ben O Williams' "Bird Dog" so hopefully that will help him out along the way. I've go two 12(going on 13) Brittanys and almost bought a German Shorthair at the game show..but decided against it. 3 dogs(although my brits are at the end of their hunting days) are a lot of work! Maybe next year. So anyway, I'm just living through my buddies experience right now until I can get a new pup!

[IRISHSOBNO4]

I have a 9 year old pointing lab, she phenomenal on grouse and pheasants. great all around dog that lives to hunt

as soon as she hears the gun safe open she is waiting by the door making sure she does not get left behind.

last year I had to use her for ducks since her mother my duck dog was hit by a semi. it was an experience, she had never been in a blind and could not sit still, and performed

the retrieving duties flawlessly. i wish i could clone this dog is all i can say.

[311Hemi]

Muske...email me at zache****j1 at hotmail . com

Remove the **** from my name.

[kgpcr4]

I have a Chocolate pointing lab that i LOVE!! She was 5 months old when i took her pheasant hunting to ND. I had her to the game farm at 3.5 months old and she did OUTSTANDING! Great dog and a great friend. I cant wait for this fall as she will be a little over a year old and she is ready!!

[311Hemi]

Quote:

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I have a Chocolate pointing lab that i LOVE!! She was 5 months old when i took her pheasant hunting to ND. I had her to the game farm at 3.5 months old and she did OUTSTANDING! Great dog and a great friend. I cant wait for this fall as she will be a little over a year old and she is ready!!

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Not to highjack the thread...but

kgpcr4 (or any others interested) - Wanted to let you know we are having a MNPL club meeting tonight. Check out the site if your interested or can make it. I know you were frustrated earlier about some things but it really is a good group.

[deadfeathers]

I have a 5 1/2 year old black lab. Trained him to mainly be a waterdog for duck hunting. Buddy of mine who is a huge pheasant hunter talked me into trying him in the field late in the year of 02. Killed 20 birds over him in the last month. Next year out by mid season, out of the blue, he started locking up and pointing birds. I mean locked up, tail straight up, head down. Have him to the point now where he'll wait for the command to flush. It's an amazing, and beautiful thing to watch. I think some dogs just have the instinct and genetics. I've said that about this dog more than once, he hunts on 90% instinct and genetics and 10% of my training. Hope your buddy has good luck with his pup and many rock solid points. Sorry to all for bragging so much on my dog, but nothing gets me going as much as seeing him work the waters or fields. Love it !!!

Good luck to all this season.

[SDbowhunter]

My 1.5 yr old lab is of indetermined blood lines. Last year he was a flusher and did really well retrieved 40 birds for me. This year he has started pointing. Every bird he finds he locks up solid. What an added bonus. It makes me really wish he had papers otherwise I would have never have got him cut.