tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5177950893772260581.post2651514549112336142..comments2023-11-03T09:27:31.348-07:00Comments on Living with Birddogs: Steady to wing and shot... or not?Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5177950893772260581.post-7712935206750028802008-12-02T10:29:00.000-08:002008-12-02T10:29:00.000-08:00Mike,I hunt two "meat dog" setters. The younger c...Mike,<BR/><BR/>I hunt two "meat dog" setters. The younger came to me started, and was steady through the flush, but no longer.<BR/><BR/>My next dog I fully intend to be, at a minimum, stop to flush, and steady through the flush, and force broke to retrieve. I already have two proven bird finders, so investing the time and patience into a class dog is possible, while still hunting enough to stay entertained with the other two.<BR/><BR/>As for the hunting practicality, it sure is debateable. I can see your points, but the return on investment of time and energy probably doesn't manifest itself in more birds, but certainly the "feel good" factor.<BR/><BR/>Cheers, JonJon Uharthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18236742963415301620noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5177950893772260581.post-78264299096948676772008-12-02T07:52:00.000-08:002008-12-02T07:52:00.000-08:00Mike:You're preaching to the converted. I can't a...Mike:<BR/><BR/>You're preaching to the converted. I can't agree with you more about the safety issues that are mitigated by having a dog steady-to-shot. I convinced myself that with our older dog that because we were primarily foot-hunting, because he was steady-to-shot, because I wasn't going to be able to hit a bird much more than 30yds, and because he'd hunt dead, that a (force-fetched) retrieve wasn't necessary. As you said, leaving aside just the cool factor, having a dog that retrieves cleanly to hand makes a big difference in dealing with wounded game.<BR/><BR/>I'll post some observations on our first season of trialing after this weekend -- but I find that a lot of comments made about 'robot dogs' come from folks who can't or don't know how to train their dogs.<BR/><BR/>best<BR/>AndrewAndrew Campbellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00204944202954520498noreply@blogger.com