That Quail Place Forum
Hunting Gamebirds => Bird Dog Topics => Topic started by: Little Bear Game Farm on October 20, 2008, 12:36:05 PM
-
Has anyone else on this forum competed in any of the Bird Dog Challenge Series?
I was wondering what people thought of this, benefits or disadvantages for your dogs?
Any advice on working fields, practicing, etc?
-
I've ran BDC and NSTRA, as well as local clubs that have format similar to BDC.
They are all OK, and most of the people involved are pretty good. The exception usually comes when things get real competitive. Guys with dogs that have a chance to win everything in their little world get pretty serious. It's the same in AKC, though, plus they are pretty uppity.
This is a good way to get your dog sharpened up, a little, before bird season. It will, generally, help you make contacts with people with birds, and training grounds, locally. The pressure for speed can cause accidents, and you will want your dogs to break at the shot, in order to win. Hard to do that with a young dog, and still expect him to hold a longer on wild birds.
-
Conservation Bird Dog Club in Amo, Indiana is the "Home of NSTRA".
CBDC is hosting Dog of the Year this week. It starts Wednesday and runs through Saturday.
CBDC's website is www.amocbdc.com
CBDC is also thinking about hosting a Bird Dog Challenge this season.
-
See the new thread titled "Birddog Field Trials"...
Thanks
GunRunner
-
I don't want to say anything negative about what guys like watching and doing. If you like it do it and enjoy. However saying that I disagree with what BDC promotes especially on t.v. They have unsteady dogs that don't even have to hold until flush (they only have to point 3 seconds). The dogs they show are also hard mouthed. They chew on the birds as they retrieve them. They basically show the people that don't know about the pointing breeds that they are sloppy dogs that destroy the birds. Like I said this is my opinion only and if you enjoy it then do it.
-
Personally I truly enjoy the sport of Field Trialing, so if anyone ever has any questions please feel free to contact me. I will be glad to answer any questions if I can. First let me say that I'm the first to admit this sport isn't for everyone. However; if you enjoy competition, Hunting, Guns and Bird dogs then it could be that this sport is tailor made just for you.
Visit the UFTA for more information on field trialing. www.ufta-online.com
GunRunner Gundogs
www.gunrunnergundogs.com
-
Hey Ron, I've made a couple runs in the flushing division at these events. I've run in a MUGS series and a WI series event and have had a good time and met some good people. The thing that made it tough to stick with it was the $$. Depending on the series, a competitor can make multiple runs on the same course and of the top finishers, it was always their second run that got them placed high. I don't have the dough to make two runs at $110 apiece, especially when I can take that $110 and have 7 birds put in a field for me and hunt all morning instead of 15 minutes. There are plenty of good dogs that compete in it and it helps breeders get their name a little recognition.
Its the same as for any dog competition, it fits for some people but not all. Dogs may be great in BDC but not in the AKC or the field. I used to run Bear Trials too, and some of the best bear trial dogs would never be taken in the field.