JakeyBaby

Well, the Woodcock season unfortunately has come to a close! We pounded hard for them covering alot of ground in search of a wild bird. Unfortunately we never flushed a single bird but that's just the way it goes. We will continue to chase pheasants here and there, then once the gun season begins to wind down we will be in hot pursuit of Grouse, can't wait!

Was wondering if there is anyone else out there chasing these birds? I have pounded a ton of ground with my dog is search of our first Woodcock, and have flat out come out empty handed! I'm thinking it may be due to the lack of rain and how dry it is? Anyway I would like to try and possibly go after some Grouse ( another bird on our hit list) next week before the orange army hits the woods and shuts us down until they are gone. Anyone that has Grouse experience, would you target the Southern Tier area or Tug Hill area? I know both should have some sort of bird action, but with this is all completely new to me its alot to figure out! Any help would be great appreciated.

I also agree, but this whole tracking collar idea came to me two weeks ago while pheasant hunting. We were sitting by my truck done for the day, when I guy came walking up to us asking if we had seen a dog? Had been missing for a while and no clue where it was. Even though I am very very confident in my training and my dogs obedience, I couldn't imagine coming home and telling my kids and wife that I lost our dog. Hell she as already told me that if I don't come home with him then don't bother coming home myself! I don't really see it being a step up in that fact of getting more birds killed, and hell I personally love listening to nothing more then that bell, then silence!! I also use him to track deer so thought it would be cool to go back and see the tracks. Either way I will feel much better putting him plus more dogs in the future on the ground knowing I know where they are at all time.

Ooo I know! The dog game is crazy from top to bottom , but man Is it addicting! Nothing better then watching your own dog work.

I don't believe the Alpha 10 does, I'm pretty sure there is a toggle you have to select what you want. I may be wrong as I looked into a bunch of units. I'm sure I could have spent more on a different unit that would give me that capability, but I maxed out at $750 for the Astro 430 and wife is not that thrilled about it! [emoji1787][emoji1787]

Decided to go with the Garmin Astro 430 and t5x collar. Didn't like the thought of having to fumble through screens to change from Tone,, Vibrate, and stimulation, and only being able to use one at a time. This way I will run thw Astro GPS paired with my 450x collar for corrections if needed. Originally didn't want to have to strap multiple collars on him but , I think it will be the most productive way.

Makes sense!

So you run all three t5, t15 and t15 mini.... any particular reason why? I'm kinda leaning towards either the Garmin astro 430 or Alpha 10. More towards the alpha so I don't have to run two separate collers as the Astro is GPS only. Not sure about mini vs. full size either....

Mine is similar as he doesn't range far at all. He will go out when the cover allows him to, but once he loses me completely he will come back to check in. Only being 21 months we are still both learning alot and wanted to add the GPS as a insurance policy that he was coming home with me no matter what. Also to let me know that if he is on point in heavy cover to show me exactly where he is.

Was wondering if anyone is running GPS collers on their bird dogs? The prices of these things are crazy like every thing else these days, but what's a good functioning colller to keep track of where the dog is? With the bird dog world being so addicting i plan on covering a lot of unknown and traveled ground , so a coller is a must at this point! Thanks Matt

I'm also looking for pigeon launcher's if anyone happens to have them that they want to get rid of!!

I am, I think I have just not had it where there are big enough numbers of birds. Also not having a bird for a decoy hurts to.

I have looked there, the problem is the bridges are concrete and I did not see any evidence of birds

Wondering if anyone may have an idea where I can buy some pigeons in the Rochester area. I have tried trapping them with very little success up to this point, so now I'm trying anything to get my hands on some. Thanks Matt

Congrats guys with a great finish! Less is more A LOT of times. 1st year for me missing the shootout and it sucks. Kids Baseball trumped it this year, but hopefully back next!